Uncle Mose as a Witness.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4393, 1 February 1883, Page 2

Uncle Mose as a Witness.

A colored man named Bob Tompkins was on (rial last week before, an Austin justice for assault. Old Uncle Mow was one of the. leading witnesses for the Ktate. The main point was whether or notTompkins had given any provocation to bring on the row. " Now tell this jury all you know aboui the affair," said the justice. " Kin I tell de jury all I knows it my own way ?" asked old Mose. ••■A " Yes, tell the jury what you:know in your own way." Old Mose turned solemnly to the ex* pectant jurymen and said: r . , "Gemmens ob de jury, you am de meanest looking crowd eber I 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 upland 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 meanest-lookin' crowd eber I seed out ob a jail"— . , . ' The prosecuting attorney jnmped* up ! and down. The foreman of the jury once more howled "Your Honor!" The constable laid his heavy hand- on the (jolliirf of 1 Mose/' w^eo' ]the fatter oalmly repeated to the horrifitfd jory: * I i "'You am de meanest-lookin', crowd eber I seed outside ob'a jaili'; Dem-sWai de berry words de prisoner dar used When i bie fust come' inter de bar-room,*ahd which led to de row." . , „.,,..., The foreman sat down quiok. " The attorneys, doubled uy like jackknives with suppressed laughter. His honor smiled. The spectators roared, while, old Moae, with a surprised look of childish innooenoe once more said emphatically to the oowed jurymen: " You am de meanest-lookin' crowd eber I seed outside ob de jail."—• Texas Siftiogs.