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

'Jedge, l aint stole no chickens, jest sold 'em for CT yaller boy what tole me they war hiR'n."
 That story Is as old as some of Irwin Cobb's favorites I have heard ft so often that I could play 1t on the the groceryman."
 "Yassah."
 Makes Appeal
 At this juncture old Jeff arose. There was an appeal in his out stretched wrinkled hands. but q greater appeal in the catch in his voice as he said: "Jedse, yo honah, can I say jest a word at dis timer"
 You can, go ahead"
 T done tole yo', JedKe. dat 1 raised 12 childer an dat boy are de younges st O de flock. He war borned some time srter my last other chile, so we calls him Benjimin, like do profit of ole. an me an his nanny sot CT ole lot on him. We mought not have bin as stric' wifi him as we snouder bin, an hit thought be more our falt dan his if he are done wrong.
 "Arter he left us ngh ontoe | yeah ago, an den quit writing toe us, his ole nanny began toe fret an moan in CT sleep, an knowed hit war nothin' but dat her min was on her , baby chile so I sez toe her one day, Sally Lou. supposin I tako CT trip 1 toe Burnin'ha an see if 1 can locate dat boy of ourn an bring him home ? 'Jedge, if you could have seen dat ole black face of hers light up when l said dat you would ha' bin sho' l guessed what war on her min. How 1 you gwine toe git de money toe go toe Burnin'hamT she says. l tofe her l would take a pen CT fine chickens an sel 'em, SO we picks de bes' of de l lot and l comes heah.
 Am speakin' O nem chickens, jedge, I ain't quite sho' in mah min dat I fotch em toe Burnin'ham. l thought have, left dem at Selma an
 Be careful uncle." warned Judge Alb, there Is a statute against per- jury"
 T know hit, jedge, ain't sayln' I didn't foth 'em but dat I mought be mistaken. Now, Jedge, yo' honah, dat ole ooman O mine tole mo not toe come back widout her chile, an Jedge. We has lived toe -gether fer nigh on 50 years. an If I goes back an tells her dat her baby are in jail, hit won't be long before she will be wid her two other childer what are buried in the graveyard on de hillside, Jedge, won't yo' please turn him CT loose an let me take him back toe his ole nanny. Won't yo'"
 Court Affected
 There were tears in the eyes and voice of the old darky as he con cluded his plea, and many moist eye among those in court Judge Alb was plainly affected.
 Tt Is beyond my Jurisdiction to turn him loose with the evidence so strong against him. however. you have put up plea that is hard for me to turn down. I will continue this case indefinitely and let you take the boy home to his nanny. but on the condition that you keep me informed as to his behavior, if 1t is good I will recommend that the case be nolle pressed
 And listen to me boy. had 1t not been for that old daddy of yours you would have landed in the peni- tentiary for considerable term of years at this time. It all depends on your conduct whether you stay out in the future. I am going to have the authorities in Dallas keep an eye on you and if you go wrong l will have you back here in less time than 1t takes jay bird to catch June buy. You may Eo"
 De Bawd be praised" murmured the old man with a fervor that came from his heart. May de Lawd bless yo' an all yo' fambly. Thank yo', Jedge, thank you"
 The pair left the court room and the elation of the old man was only equalled by the evident relief of the younger darky.
 What do you think of that case" asked Judge Alb of Frank Dixon, the assistant solicitor.
 That plea of the old man would probably have made powerful ap- peal before any jury in the south and probably acquitted the boy" re- piled Frank
 That is my opinion" said Judge Alb.
 "Amenn nlfnfh Sheriff lack