WISE WILLIAM.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 144, 19 June 1909, Page 10

WISE WILLIAM.

When Justice Buffum opened court in a small town in Southern Georgia, one morning, he called loudly, "Jones against Johtison!" A dignified gentleman came to the bar and said : "I am Doctor Jones, your Honour, the complaining witness. My chickens were stolen and found in the possession of — " "One moment, Doctor," the judge interrupted. "We must havo the defendant at the bar. Jones against Johnson ! Jones against Johnson ! Is the defendant present? - Is William Johnson in court?" A tall and shambling negro shuffled to the bar, ducked his head, pulled his woolly forelock in token of respect, and grinned a propitiatory grin. "Ah's Willyum Johns'n, pjease suh, Jedge," he said. "Ah doan' know nuffin ''bout no 'fondant, suh. Ah'm jes' the man wot took de chick'ns." "Don't talk like that," the court warned 'William. "You ought to have a lawyer to speak for you. Where's your lawyer?" "Ah am' got no lawyer, Jedge — " "Very well, then," said his Honour. "I'll assign a lawyer to defend you.'' "Oh, no, suh ; no, suh ! Ple-e-eaee don' do dat!" William begged. "Why not?" asked the judge. "It won't, cost you anything. Why don't you want a lawyer?" •'Well, ah'll tell yo', suh," said William, waving his tattered old hat confidentiaily. "Hit's jes' dis-a-way — ah wan' tuh enjoy deni chick'ns mase'f." — Harper'a Weekly..