The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-02-12

heIp defray the expenses of the trip.
 Arriving in the city late at night he went to a nearby rooming house fo spend the night and left the chick kens in charge of the woman that ran khe house. That night they were lstolen.
 The old man notified the police and An a few hours they were located Tn Ia. small store not far away from the hecene of the theft, and in a little Awhile both the storekeeper and the knerson from whom he had bought Erhe chickens were placed under ar hrest and lodged in the county Jail. Arhe warrant was made returnaoIe F6efore Judge Abernathy.
 Went to Court { Next morning old Jeff went to tho snourt to sec about the case and ar Enived before Judge Alb had opened kcourt. Approaching the Judge he Ernade a profound bow and said:
 sMawnin' jedge, could 1 speak t2 nxo' fer bout CT minitY'
 "Has 1t any reference to case AEhat is pending2"
 q reckons hit has"
 "In that case l will refer you to kheriff Jack the Pooh Bah of this Memple of justice or injustice accord ank to which side gets the verdict"
 AJedge. is all de way from South EAla bama an -"
 Now Judge Alb is from South Ala Hama and has a very kindly feeling kor the negroes, especially the older bpnes. that come from that section Eof the state, so he told the old darky Ito relate his story briefly, as he was lnbout to open court.
 Jedge, has yo' case fer stealth hchickens?"
 "Not guilty up to the present un- kcia. and l am surprised to see you lhere on such a charge"
 "Aint no charges, jedge, Tse de pus- mon what done los de chickens"
 Relating the circumstances under which the chickens were stolen, the Eold dar1ky stated he was anxious to lget back to his home in Dallas. and ITequested the immediate trial of the hcase as hisSfunds were running low.
 Judge Alb ordered Sheriff Jack to go to the jail for the prisoner and jetated that he would take up the sfase at once.
 While the high sheiff was gone for the prisoner. the judge questioned tho old man and 1t developed that he owned a farm in Dallas and that while he had plenty of corn and meat and other farm products, he had very little money.
 Family of Twelve
 Eo~stat I he had raised family of 13 children and that all were married and living near him, with the excep- tion of the youngest, who had come to Birmingham to live and that he had not heard from him for some time.
 Just then Sheriff Jack came In with the prisoner Why, if dar aint my boy" exclaimed the old man and l,t h dpf n ' stopped He saw the boy was hand cuffed. A look of bewilderment came over his dusky countenance, which was followed by a look of distress when it dawned on him that his own son was the person charged with the theft of the chickens.
 "Jedge, dar mus be some mistake bout dis. I nevah taught dat boy toe steal" exclaimed the old negro.
 Tam satisfied of that uncle" said Judge Alb, but unless these youms niggers from the country %5 to work on reaching the city they soon learn the habit Boy, how long have you in Birmin Fham?"
 "'Bout ten months"
 How many months have you worked during that time"
 "Ise been workin' on an off for a pressin' club"
 More off than on, I'd wager hat. How about this charge of fowl lift ing that has been brought against voii I"