The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-13

swing of the music. Like the mu- sicians, their bodies swayed to and fro, lfMe unto trees swept by driv- ing storm Their feet began to pat keeping perfect time to the music Judge Alb caught himself batting his fleet when. with an extra squirt of flashing bows and swiftly moving ringers the trio brought the selection 10 close, and despite the effort of Sheriff Jack, ripple of applause came from all parts of the courtroom.
 "How's that, Jedge?" queried the leader of the trio orchestra.
 Great. and very well renderedw
 Thank, yo, Jedge. wrote that muhselfi hit are called The Switch blade Blues, or Cuttin' yo' Way Through Alley A What else would yo' like?"
 Play an old fashioned negro mel ody, and If any of you can sing, add the vocal accompaniment"
 SwinsN Low. Sweet Chariot
 One Of the trio had baritone voice of rare range and richness. The band played q few bars, then he broke "n with Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Comin' for to Carry Me Home" He had hardly finished the first line when the negroes in the courtroom took up ~the refrain, They were all familiar with the melody--!t was favorite with the judge, and only those who have listened to this par ticuiar song as sung by the negroes can really appreciate it.
 At the conclusion, again the ap- plause came forth, and addressing Judge Alb, the leader said: "Jedge, won't yo' turn us loose; us has got toe were three negroes in jail who were piay Of white folks dance to- night?"
 T am not yet fully convinced of your Innocence; can play one more tune, however. while I am thinking about it."
 The trio held q whispered confer ence, and then with eyes upturned and playing soft and low, they struck up the hymn Almost Persuaded"
 For possibly minute the signifi- canoe of the tune did not dawn on the audience, which by this time had hlled the court room. but when it came, the peal of laughter that burst rom every part of the court drowned the music. And incidentally none laughed heartier than the judge.
 T reckon I will have to let you go for the night after that one. You are recognized until s o'clock tomor- row morning."
 Thanking the judge for his consid- eration the negroes departed, favorite with the judge--and only
 A scrcnade
 That night about 10:3O o'clock, just after Judge Alb had retired for the night, and was dozing off to sleep, the soft strains of negro lullaby casne waiting in the room on the night breezes. Judge Alb looked out of the window, and in the garden partly concealed by the rose bushes stood the negro trio he had had be- fore him that morning. They were playing softly "Mammy's Little Black Rose"
 Judge Alb, got up and went to the door and as he stepped on the porch the leader of the band said:
 "Fo de Lawd's sake, if dat ain't Jedge Abernethy."
 "Of course it's Jedge Abernethy, and well you know it. What are you trying to do, throw a spell on the court"
 "Nossah, jedge, we was jest round serenadin' an we had no idee we had stopped at yo' house."
 N"I have my serious doubts as to that, but play me another piece be- fore you go."
 And the dusky trio responded with "In De Mornin We'll Be Thar"
 Next morning they appeared in court and after hearing their state ment Judge Alb discharged them as they showed they filled regular en- gagements and serenaded as side issue.
 They were certainly three happy negroes when Judge Alb turned them loose. and by way of a compliment the leader said:
 "Jedge yo' may not be good jedge of law, but yo' sholy is a powerful good jcdge of music"