"Sparrow Gin."
"Ten dollars and cost. Next!"
There was some delay before the next ones were brought forward. When they came, there was some anxiety. They were white men from one of the suburbs. As to how they happened to be in this court was a matter for conjecture; but the charge was fighting.
A witness mounted the stand by request.
"Your name is?—"
"Bill Sykes."
"William Sykes. Very well, William Sykes, what do you know about this affair? Tell it to the court."
"Yer' 'onah, Judge," began Sykes, drawing his jeans coat sleeve across his mouth. "Yistidy I left home 'bout four a-clock 'n' come dawn to Abe Thomas' store, as I usually do for some t'baccer."
"State what you know about this disturbance," cut in the recorder's voice. "The court has nothing to do about your tobacco."
"Well, 's I started to say. I come down after some t'baccer.——"