The judge asked if the parties to the case were in court and ready for trial.
The lawyer for Congressman Richer got up and said he was “there and ready.”
Then the court called for the “defendant, Gaskins.”
Poor Jobe he jist sot still and looked as white as a ghost. He never moved.
I hunched him, and told him to “git up and answer.”
He said he couldent; he was sick.
The court, kinder mad like, called for “Gaskins” agin, when I riz up and says:
“Mistur Court, Gaskins is here, and I am Betsy Gaskins, the lawful wife of Jobe Gaskins, the defendant.”
“Whose your lawyer?” says the court.
“We haint got any,” says I.