WHY HE PERCOLATED.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3932, 5 August 1881, Page 2

WHY HE PERCOLATED.

Wheu Henry Longfellow Townsend put in an appearance things looked decidedly against him. His clothing was torn and covered with mud, his hair was full of straw, his boots were tied on, and he had the air of a man away down at the foot of the hill. Ilia Honor gave him a good looking over and then said :

" The charge against you is vagranej." "What's dat?" " :«*r-

" Having no home, no friends, no wealth—wandering around without employment—beating the public out of youc bread and butter."

" Kin I defend myself, sah ?" " Yes."

" Kin I make a speech ?" "Yes."

Henry removed his ragged _>ld coat and laid it carefully ou the floor, drew his belt a notoh tighter, and then waved his his right arm in the air, and began : " Why do I percolate p" There was a dead silence as he slowly looked around the room.

"Did Gawge Wash'ton alias have an axe or saw in his hand when he met the perleece ? Did Napoleon feel obliged to take his meals at any one place? Did Julius Cso3ar allus sleep in the same bed ? Did Henry Clay alias walk aron' with his Sunday does on ? Did Dan'l Webster allus have money in his pocket ?" He looked at His Honor for an answer, and the court-room was so Still that one could hear a pin drop. " Why do I percolate P " demanded the prisoner at last. " 1 don't know," replied the Court. " At first glance I look you for a ragrant, but that speech convinced me that I was wrong. I shall suspend sentence and let you go, and I presume you will have the sagacity not to come back here on the same charge. You can now percolate oat door&.—Detroit Free Press. -