HE CAST NO REFLECTIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 14, 2 April 1892, Page 336

HE CAST NO REFLECTIONS.

A NEGRO was charged with having robbed a ‘hen roost.’ An old darkey, known as ‘ Honest Abe,’ was called as a witness to the prisoner's character, and this was his way of testifying :— ‘ You know the prisoner, do you, Mr Simpson V ‘ I hab a faint suspicion I does.’ ‘ Have you known him long?’ ‘ Boas, dat word “ long ” am a very hard one to cal-cur-late.’ * Well, have you known him ten years!’ • Reckon I hab, more or less. ’ ‘ Now tell the jury what you think of his character for honesty.’ ‘ Don’t zactly ketch yer meaning.’ ‘ Do you think he would steal ?’ ‘ Steal what, boss ?’

• Oh, anything —chickens, for example ?’ ‘ Boss, rd hate to ’cuse a man, an’ that man a nigger, widout jest cause. But speaking pussonally —mind yon, gus-sonally —ef I wur a chickin dat libbed in his neighbonrood, widout casting any re flections on his honesty, I’d make it a habit to roost high !’