"IS A PAINT MULE A HOSS?"

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4916, 23 December 1876, Page 2 (Supplement)

"IS A PAINT MULE A HOSS?"

«—. ._■_ Nothing is more remarkable than the facility with which the colored population become acquainted with the forms of law, and the practical management of a case in Court. There was a striking illustration of this fact in the Recorder's Court lately. ; The prisoner was accused of riding across one of the bridges in a gait faster than a walk, and the proof was that he galloped a paint mule over Houston-street bridge. He managed his own case. His Honor said : " I think I'll have to fine you, Johnsing." " May I ax yer a few questions ?" " You may." ," Isn't thar a sign over dat bridge warning people how dey must ride ?" " There is, and that makes you all the more guilty." _ "It does, it does? Now, Mr. Becorder, is dat sign what I has to go by ? Is dat the law?" "It is." "Well, den, dat siga reads, 'Walk your horse, or you will be fined.' Don't it—don't it boss ?" " It does, Johnsing." " Well, the proof is, I was gallopin' a paint mule, wasn't it, boss ?" "Yes, I believe so," replied his honor, beginning to smell a rat. "Now, if your honor is willing to admit dat a paint mule ain't no boss, I'll rest de case heah, because you see de law is I shall walk my hoss, and as it was a paint mule, dat is fatal to de indictment. You is a lawyer, and you •ought to know dem pints most as well as myself." . _ Recorder—" Ahem ! for the purpose of this suit, Johnsing, I'll regard that paint mule as a hoss." .-...•> Prisoner—" Your honor will please note my 'ception. I jess wants to make one more pint. Allowin', for the sake of argument, dat a paint mule is a hoss, de sign reads: ' Walk your hoss.' Now I has de witnesses here in court to prove dat paint mule hoss was not my hoss at all. De law'say ' Walk your hoss.' " . Recorder—"l'll fine you lOdols., Johnsing." And as Johnsing was conducted to the lockup he expressed great sympathy for the taxpayers, as he intended to bring a 'suit for 700,G00dols. damages for false imprisonment. He is now, however, at work on the streets. —San Antonio Herald.