Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 January 1881 — The Nature of an Oath. [ARTICLE]

The Nature of an Oath.

Early in the rebellion, when the Federal forces were stationed at Beaufort, 8. C., there was an old darkey by the name of Lige Jackson, who, deserted by his master, was left to take care of himself as best he might, Lige was considered a chattel of weak intellect, and moreover he was exceedingly awkward in his attempts to play the role of a hotise servant. He smashed and destroyed firetty nearly everything he laid his lands upon, and having waited upon nearly every officer at the post, each in turn, after giving him the benefit of a good cursing for his stupidity, turned him adrift. It happened that Lige was a witness in a case that came before a court martial, and being called up to give his testimony, was objected to on the part of the defendant, who stated that he didn’t believe the negro was of sound mind. “Stand up, Lige,” said the court. “Do you understand the nature of an oath?” Lige scratched his wool for a moment, and then turning up the whites of his eyes, replied: “Look a yeare, marse; dis nigger has waited on ’bout has de ossifers since dey fus cum to dis place, and if he don’t understand de nature of an oaf by dis time, den dares no wurtue is cussing.” The court considered Lige a competent witness. Much valuable time is saved by promptly treating Cold at its first appearance. Nothing takes the place of Dr. Bull’s Cough Syrup for Coughs, Colas, Irritation of Throat, etc. Price 25 cents. A mean householder in Toronto refused to allow the body of a woman who had died on his premises to be removed for burial unless he was paid SSO for rent and attendance. He also presented another bill for $25, alleging that the visitors to the deceased had worn out his carpet. At the request of the officiating clergyman, a policeman was detailed to be present at the funeral, with instructions to arrest him if he created any trouble, which he was prudent enough to avoid. « Davis Bubton was returning home from Waco, Tex., in a wagon. He stopped at Mills’ store at Hog Creek, and asked the clerk to send him out a cigar. The clerk was busy, and sent another man, well known in the neighborhood. The latter brought out a cigar and handed it to Burton, at the same time presenting a six-shooter to his head and demanding his money, which Burton gave up to the amount of S4O.- The robber was not arrested. A Physician of Great Prominence in Thirty-sixth street, New York city, was unable to even help Mr. Wm. McKee, of Paterson, N. J., suffering the agonies always attendant upon diseased kidneys. As an honest man and practitioner he prescribed and cured hun by using one bottle of Warner’s Safe Kidney and Liver Cure. The Sultan is about to marry off two of his daughters—young things, not yet 15 years old. The bridegrooms, who are Turkish cavalry officers, have been allowed to choose their wives for themselves, and for dowry each receives a palace- many slaves, and a present of money.