UNCLE MOSE AS A WITNESS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1271, 9 February 1883, Page 2

UNCLE MOSE AS A WITNESS.

A colored man named Boh Tompkins was on trial last week before an Austin justice for assault. Old Uncle Mose was one of the leading witnesses for the State. The main point was whether or not Tompkins had given any provocation to bring on the row. “Now tell this jury all you know about the affair,” said the justice. “ Kin I tell de jury all I knows in my own way ?” asked old Mose. “ Yes, tell the jury what you know in your own way.” Old Mose turned solemnly to the expectant jurymen and said : “Gemmens of de jury, you am de meanest looking crowd eber f seed.” “ Stop!” bawled the Attorney for the State. “ Your Honor will incarcerate the witness for contempt of Court!” howled the Attorney for the prisoner. The foreman of the jury got up and asked the Court to protect the jury from insult. “ Witness, if you insult the jury again I shall certainly resort to extreme measures.” “ I'm not going to consult nobody ef you don’t interfere wid me,” said old Mose sullenly. “ Proceed.’: “Gemmens ob de jury, you am de mean-est-lookin’ crowd eber I seed out ob a jail”— The prosecuting counsel jumped up and down. The foreman of the jury once more howled “ Your Honor !’’ The constable laid his heavy hand on the collar of Mose, when the latter calmly repeated to the horrified jury : “ ‘You am de mcanest-lookiu’ crowd eber I seed outside ob a jail.* Dem was the berry words de prisoner dar used when he fust cum inter de bar-room, and which led to de row.” The foreman sat down quick. The attorneys doubled up like jackknives with suppressed laughter. His Honor smiled. The spectators roared, while old Mose, with a surprised look of childish innocence once more said emphatically to the cowed jurymen : “You am do meanest-lookin’ crowd eber I seed outside ob de jail.”—Texas Sittings.