AN INGENIOUS DEFENCE.
An old darky was brought before a Southern magistrate, not long ago, accused of stealing a neighbor's chickens when the nights were dark and no one stirred abroad. The old man put up a long but weak argument, seizing upon every possible straw to support his defence. The evidence was too strong, however, and matters were rapidly approaching a climax that meant a month of idleness in the town jail. The thought of this and the attendant ignominy stirred the old darky to a point where he did nothing but splutter out,
"'Pon my honor, jedge, Ise—er—Ise didn't done take 'em."
At last the judge grew tired, and was about to sentence him, when a broad smile illuminated the darky's face as he cried out,
"I's got it, jedge; Ise can prove an alibi 'bout dem chickens."
"Well, what is it?" exclaimed the judge.
"You see, jedge, no poor colored man could take dem chickens at night-time."
"How's that?—what do you mean?"
"'Cause, jedge, dey's nothin' but roosters at night, and de charge am dat I took chickens."
The ingenuity of the defence won the day.