Harris. Adzackly (giving the lawyer a knowing wink, and at the same time clearing his throat). Captain Rice, he gin a treat, and cousin Sally Dilliard she came over to our house and axed me if my wife she moutn't go. I told cousin Sally Dilliard that my wife was poorly, being as how she had a touch of rheumatics in the hip, and the big swamp was in the road, and the big swamp was up, for there had been a heap of rain lately; but, howsomever, as it was her, cousin Sally Dilliard, my wife she mout go. Well, cousin Sally Dilliard then axed me if Mose he moutn't go. I told cousin Sally Dilliard that he was the foreman of the crap, and the crap was smartly in the grass, but, howsomever, as it was her, cousin Sally Dilliard, Mose he mout go Chops. In the name of common sense, Mr. Harris, what do you mean by this rigmarole? Witness. Captain Rice he gin a treat, and cousin Sally Dilliard she came over to our house and axed me if my wife she moutn't go. I told cousin Sally Dilliard Chops. Stop, sir, if you please; we don't want to hear anything about your cousin Sally Dilliard and your wife-tell us about the fight at Rice's. Witness. Well, I will sir, if you will let me. Witness. Well, sir, Captain Rice he gin a treat, and cousin Sally Dilliard she came over to our house and axed me if my wife she moutn't go Chops. There it is again. Witness, please to stop. Witness. Well, sir, what do you want? Chops. We want to know about the fight, and you must not proceed in this impertinent story. Do you know anything about the matter before the Court? Witness. To be sure I do. Chops. Well go on and tell it, and nothing else. Chops. This is intolerable. May it please the Court, I move that this witness be committed for contempt; he seems to be trifling with this Court. EE* Court. Witness, you are now before a court of justice, and unless you behave yourself in a more becoming manner, you will be sent to jail; so begin, and tell what you know about the fight at Captain Rice's. Witness (alarmed). Well, gentlemen, Captain Rice he gin a treat, and cousin Sally Dilliard — Chops. I hope the witness may be ordered into custodv. Court. Mr. Attorney, the Court is of the opinion that we may save time by letting the witness go on in his own way. Proceed, Mr. Harris, but stick to the point. Witness. Yes, gentlemen. Well, Captain Rice he gin a treat, and Cousin Sally Dilliard she came over to our house and axed me if my wife she moutn't go. I told cousin Sally Dilliard that my wife she was poorly, being as how she had the rheumatics in the hips, and the big swamp was up; but, howsomever, as it was her, cousin Sally Dilliard, my wife she mout go. Well, cousin Sally Dilliard then axed if Mose he moutn't go. I told cousin Sally Dilliard as how Mose he was the foreman of the crap, and the crap was smartly in the grass,-but, howsomever, as it was her, cousin Sally Dilliard, Mose he mout go. So they goes on together, Mose, my wife, and cousin Sally Dilliard, and they come to the big swamp, and it was up, as I was telling you; but being as how there was a log across the big swamp, cousin Sally Dilliard and Mose, like genteel folks, they walked the log; but my wife, like a blamed fool, waded through. Chops. Heaven and earth, this is too bad; but go on. Witness. Well, that's all I know about the fight. NEW THANATOPSIS.-WM. H. HOLCOMBE. Beneath the glory of a brighter sun Than that which keeps this moving globe of dust By spiritual light and wisdom sent from God, If haply I might note the dreaded being I scanned the range of substance infinite With deep solemnity akin to fear, Then I read The geologic leaves of stone sublime, Immortal book in an immortal tongue, Full of mysterious life. And then I looked And up the swift and shadowy stream of time, Peered into charnels, tracked the desolate paths Is rent in twain, and who are capable Of purer thought and more interior life, He has no place or power. There is no death! God, God alone, is life; and all our life, And every change which we ascribe to death The pedestal of life, the supple mould Is but the visible garment of our God; A wondrous thing! which seems to live, but does not, None have died In gloom and darkness was the poet lost His cradle and his school of discipline, The dark cold ground in which the seed is sown That, struggling upward, slowly germinates Not Christ alone has risen, but all have risen; Which lives in God, immortal as himself. THERE IS NO DEATH.-LORD LYTTON. There is no death! The stars go down And bright in heaven's jeweled crown There is no death! The dust we tread Shall change beneath the summer showers To golden grain or mellowed fruit, Or rainbow-tinted flowers. The granite rocks disorganize, And feed the hungry moss they bear; The forest leaves drink daily life, From out the viewless air. There is no death! The leaves may fall, There is no death! An angel form Walks o'er the earth with silent tread; He bears our best loved things away; And then we called them "dead." |