The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-05

trusty henchman; what is the inspira- tion for such bucolic sentiments?" queried Judge Alb.
 "The sap is rising, judge, the dog wood blossoms and wild honeysuckle are calling me, and l seem e~hear the little creek birds singing on the banks of the Warrior near my summer camp. and the longing is on me to cast a line for elusive sunpearch and scaly google eye"
 Your sentiments are in keeping with the season and there are no doubt many others who feel like you But in the meantime and l hate to interrupt your line of thought, what have you caught in your trap today"
 Quite an assortment of queer fish, including that big mud cat seated in the corner of the bull pen
 His face seems familiar to me, what is he charged with.'
 Just another angle on the eternal triangle, in that this defendant is ac- cused of stealing the wardrobe of his ex-fiancee and that of the man she has recently married"
 This gives promise of being inter- esting, call the court to order, brin g the defendant around and swear the witnesses"
 The defendant came around and a more perfect specimen of the negro has been seldom seen, standing over six feet. and broad in proportion. He was straight as an Indian and had the appearance of statue and a bronze statue at that.
 What is your name" asked Judge Alb. of the defendant.
 Nah name are sam Brown but dey calls me Dude fur short.'
 Are you ready for trial"
 "Nossah, jedge nah lawyer ain't we're an l wants time to talk to nah witness"
 "I think I remember you. You have been before me on several other occa . sions have you not and always for a contiDHance of your case. As all the other parties in the case are in court l will overrule your plea for a con- tinuance. First witness"
 'Idella Simpson, called Sheriff Jack.
 A boxum darkskinned woman took the stand and stated that she had been awakened up in the night by a sound of some one "ramblin' round and as she turned on the light she saw the defendant going out the win dow with two suit cases in his hand An jedge" continued the witness, dem suit cases had in 'em nah trosso and the other de clo'es of Mistah simpson, nah husban'.''
 "Jedge, yo' honor" interrupted the defendant, "dey was clothes what done bought mahself when dat oman promised to marry me, but she turn me down and married dat little runt ovah dar." and he pointed to a little undersize negro weighing about 90 pounds. "'Side jedge, what do l want wid his clo'es, dey wouldn't do me no good nohow, his hole outfit wouldn't make a vest fur me"
 That all right. Dude" said Judge Ab You can tell your case later. Let the husband take the stand.
 "Mistah" Simpson took the stand and substantiated the statement of his wife and added that the defendant declared his intentions of stealing his wife.
 Hit are like dis jedge." said the witness, since I done married IdeIla, dat nigger has CT been hangin an projectin eround nah house, an tributes his comin' am stealth nah cloes toe jellissy cause l married his ooman."
 The defendant took the stand and denied having any designs on his former amourata and stoutly declared
 
 did not belong to him.
 Judge Alb questioned the witness at length on the matter and there seem ed to be some doubt in his mind as to the guilt of the accusess. Looking over the court room he saw an old negro woman apparently about so years old, seated in the negro sec tion.
 T see an expert witness in court, said the judge and addressing the old woman whom he knew said. Come forward Aunt Sarah, or rather stand up where you are. and tell me what you know about this defendant"
 Hedge l cant pussonize boy dey calls Dude. but 1 knows if he are like de crap O young niggers grow in up nowadays he aint no count"
 Knowing you to be an expert in such matters 1 drought I would like your opinion as to the guilt or inno- cence of this defendant"
 T aint got no 'pinion, l has noth-