The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-17
Judge AL Gets At Facts
 But fhe Route Is Deuious
By CHARLES H. MANDY

Just as Judge II B. Abernethy was about to call the county court of mis- demeanors to order the other day there was quite commotion in the lobby of the court.
 Sheriff Jack remarked Judge Ab "inN estigate the disturbance with out IL sounds to me like. some one is trying to persuade the hegro dele- gates to vote the democratic ticket or perhaps 1t is some prohibition of ficer discoursing on the merits of d bottle of Johnny Walker"
 The nigh sheriff made investiga- tlon and reported that it was merely a lawyer talking to the witnesses for the first case on the docket.
 'In that case we will put the wit nesses under the rule" said Judge Alb. "Thc case at bar is that of Silas Washington, charged with film fam ming a negro out of $9.75. Bring around the prisoner"
 A little sawed of negro ap- preached, wearing a coat that was much too short and turned inside out he sportcd a Charlie Chaplin mus tache, his hair was dutch cut and strengthened and after giving an elaborate bow said; Good mawnin' ledge"
 Good morning yourself. Let all the witnesses be sworn, and the best swearer come forward"
 A negro of somewhat lengthy pro- portions stood up and announced that he was the 'persecutor" in the case, and was ordered to take the stand and state his grievance.
 "Jedge, said the witness. q has knowed dis nigger fo' bout 20 yeahs, an bout l5 yeahs ergo he borrowed a dime--an' he ain't--"
 Can the ancient history and tell us about this case"
 'Jedge, I Is bound toe start from de beginnin, an has I was sayin', dat Silas aint no count; yo' can look at him an tell dat. He was borned in de dark of de moon; hats how come his knotty growth, an den he has two names, a night name an a day name"
 Your name will be Dennis If you keep this up. What I want to know is about that s9.75 you claim to have lost"
 'Is gwine toe git toe hit arter a. while, Jedge l sho' is. His right name what his folks calls him are Son Logis, and how come dey calls him Son"
 All I want is the facts in this case"
 'Jedge, fer de lawd's sake, give me time, as l was CT. sayin' he jest sets round lookin' fer pay day an Sun day an dat cote whot he has got on ain't his cote; he borrowed hit fun burglar while in de Jail an hes turned hit 'rong side out. so as toe thro spell on yo' honah De cote he generally wares is CT graveyard sweeper, cause he pretends toe be a preacher, but he ain't nuthin'."
 At this juncture Judge Alb called a halt in the proceedings and, placing the prisoner in front of the witness, said:
 T want you to look the prisoner square in the eye and tell me what you had him arrested for and cut out all preliminary statements"
 Well, Jedge, I loaned dat nigger 9 dollehs an six bits on a bed which he sed war his'n. but I arn't nevah seen hit, nor nah money either; he must CT took up his bed an wake :; he jest keep CT movin' round. I has been lookin' far him jest two yeahs, an de onliest way I catch him was thru MT. Ackstein over dar."
 i'.@e WdS MI. AChSteln to QO With this case?"
 Cause he done stole some water melons from him, an l want dat pint brought out"
 We are getting nowhere in the case, and the further you go the less 1 know about it. I will interrogat e the prisoner myself. Stand up. Silas. Your name is Silas Washington, I see, and in answering my questions let m 2 see If you will follow the footsteps of your illustrious namesake regard i. Ing truth and veraclty. Did you beat this man out of nine dollars and 75 cents?"
 "Nossah, Jedge, ain't nevah owed dat nigger nuthin,' an I knows ruth in bout him"
 Are you a preacher"
 Well. l breaches on de street cor ners sometimes"