The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-22

, right then and there made counter charges. Susan accused Betty of alien ating the affections of her husband, Sam. | and Bill declared that 'dat nigger Sam had stolen away the tender heart of his buxom Betty. So instead of the eternal triangle when men and women are con cerned, Judge Alb was confronted with an 'infernal. square"
 When the clerk read the counter | charges the parties all tried to speak at cnce and confusion resulted. Back up a minute, you garrulous quartette of domestic perverseness, '' yelled the judge. 'Let me see if have | the situation as stated alright. Sam &C., cuses Bill of running after Susan, Betty complains that Susan has designs on Bill Susan declares that Betty has capuvared Sam, and Bill insists that San has WOE Ithe affections of Betty. Am I right?" | Again the quartette began to chatter each declaring their innocence and plac- l ing the fault on the other. Finding it ! impossible to get them strengthened out
 by the ordinary process of law, other 1 than sending them to jail. to jurist set aside the usual code of procedure
 and rendered a Solomon like decree. If ever case had the earmarks of l six on one side and half a dozen on the other the case at the bar is it, ''
 commented his nibs, the judge. "I am | SdlfSIl6Q IIdI you dll are QlSSdClSIlGT each with the other, and the other with each. So I am going to satisfy you
 and let each wife swap husbands and each husband swap wives. Sam join hands with Betty and Bill joined hands | with Susan.'
 l The negroes did as the judge com manded and waited further orders. :! Now listen to me closely, you pair of l dusky Desdemonas and you brace ot ebony Don Juans- By the power in me 1 invested, by whom it matters not, ah l going to let you live together according l to your present desire for the period of i two weeks with the understanding that l there must be no interference or inter- l ruption from either party. At the end l of that period you all must report tc 1 this court, when final disposition will be made of your cases. I hereby take 1 the opportunity to warn you that any deviation from these instructions will l bring upon a punishment in comparison with which being dipped in boiling oil would be a luxury. Depart in pieces, or 1 rather as repaired"
 the two reassorted couples left the court l room
 I At the end of the weeks probation 1 the two couples appeared in court, ac- ] cording instructions and a more woe l begotten looking bunch it would be hard to imagine. sam ScOWled at Betty and Betty sneered at Sam; Bill glared at Su- I san and Susan glowered at Bill. They I all looked miserable and unhappy and were plainly i'll at ease
 Well, Betty, what think you of your l soul mate by this timer queried Judge | Alb.
 "Ah don't xackly knows what yo
 mean, jedge. but if hit are somethin
 what is pizen mean, dat niggah Sam IS hif and wlIssar" l Sam, what about your affinfty?'' 'Spose yo' refers dat ooman Betty is 1 mah 'finity, but hit are not SO, jedge ! nossah. Dat is de mos aggrawatin ooman outsiden tormint. an ruther dan l live wid her I'll SO to jail.
 How did you find your gay Lothario 1 Susan?"
 "Axin' yo' pardon. jedge," is yo mean ! in dat black nigger, Bill If yo' is. ah wants ter say dat he Is nuthin' but CT | no count triflin' onery, low down, chunk
 CT back alley trash"
 And, Bill, what Is your opinion o1 l your enamorata?" ?" "Ah don't wondah at yo callin dat
 ooman Susan names, judge but if yo' 1 lived wid her two weeks lik' ah has done. yo' would call her somethin' wusser thar | dat'
 ] Judging from your complimentary re-