Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1884 — Shinbones Addresses His Neighbors in Court. [ARTICLE]

Shinbones Addresses His Neighbors in Court.

“Jedge,” remarked Shinbones, “dis hyar am pretty tough on a old man.” “The law requires it,” Was the reply. “Wai, cud I be ’lowed ter speak ter this hyar gadderin’ ob culludpussons ?” The permission was granted, and the ex-President of the Anti-Chicken-Steal-ing Society turned to the assemblage. “Breddern and sistem,” said he, “Is’e gwine way fur ter leab yo’ now fur some time. Dey am gwine ter send me whar de wicked cease from troublin’ an’ de weary git a res’. I mean dose dat am weary ob losin’ deir poultry. Now, breddern, all I’se got ter say to yo’ on dis hyar painful ’cashin’ is, es you don’t want ter git inter de place whar Pm a-goin’- ” The speaker paused to add force to his words. The Judge leaned forward to hear the wise admonition about to fall from the old man’s lips, and the crowd of mourning colored men afid women held their breath.

“Es yo’ don’t want ter go whar Tse a-goin’,” he repeated, “make blame shuah dat de boss am dead or gone ter a picnic ’foah yo’ tackle a hen-roost.” And they led him away to prison.— New York Times.