“‘Solomon, Absalom, Lazarus, Ebenezer, sah—dey calls me Laz for short.’
“‘Have you ever formed or expressed any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the prisoner at the bar?’
“‘Lord love your soul, boss, I never goes in a bar, I iz a temperance nigger; I iz an honorable member of de Murphy ‘stution!’
“‘You do not understand my question: have you formed or expressed any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of Miss Viola Bramlett?’
“‘How could a nigger ‘spress hisself about a lady ’cept he knowed her? I nebber seed dat ar gal afore in my born days!’
“‘Then you have never formed or expressed any opinion about her guilt or innocence?’
“‘Nebber ’spressed myself about white folks, nebber ‘sociates wid white people—dis nigger ’fesses to be a ge’man!’
“‘I think this is a competent juror, if the court please.’
“‘What say you for the defense?’
“Another careless wave of Mr. Rockland’s hand, and the juror was ordered by the court to take his seat in the box.