An Ingenious Defence

An oíd darky wis broughft before ithern magistrate, not longago, accused of stea'.ing a noighbor's chickens when the nights were dark and no one stiiTed abroad. Tlie o]d man put up a lomig bufc weak argument, seizing Tipon every possiKe strarw to support has defence. The eTijiemce was tOD -st.ro.ng, lioweveK, anil matters vere appnoaehing a ojimax that meant a moath of idleflese in the town jai;. The thought of t'his and thie attendant igno,mmy etirred ttue olki darkjr to a poöab where he d&d nothiug; buit spCufcter out, "'Pton my honor, jedge, Ise- er- Ise (lidn't done take 'ein." Ai last 'Mie judge grew tired, and was abo'ut to sentenoe luimi, wheu a broad smüe illumiiiated tbs darky'a fíw;e as he crted out, "I's giot it, jedge ; Ise oan proive an alibi 'bO'ut de oliickens." "Wei], what is it?" exclaimed the jud,ge. "You see, jedge, no' poor colored man couild take dem chickens at niht-time." "Hon-'s that V- what do you mean ?" '"Cause, jedge, dey's notlitn' but roosters at night, and de charge am dat I took ohickens." The ingenuity oif the defence won the day.-