Amusing Trial in which a Yankee Lawyer Renders a Just Verdict

A free download from www.dertz.in
The Project Gutenberg EBook of Amusing Trial in which a Yankee Lawyer Renders a Just Verdict, by Anonymous
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
Title: Amusing Trial in which a Yankee Lawyer Renders a Just Verdict
Author: Anonymous
Release Date: January 25, 2006 [EBook #17604]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
? START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AMUSING TRIAL ***
Produced by Jason Isbell and the Online Distributed?Proofreading Team at
[Transcribers note: This book included many illustrations. These illustrations are included in the HTML edition.]
Amusing Trial, in Which a Yankee Lawyer Rendered a Just Verdict.
Published at the Office of the Youth's Cabinet, 126 Fulton Street.
NEW YORK.?1841.
[Illustration: A Slave sold at Auction.]
A time there was, when no one thought?It sin, to hold a slave he'd bought,?And of his strength have the command,?As much as of his house and land.?A Yankee Lawyer long had kept?A negro-man with whom he slept.
[Illustration]
And ate, and Sabbath day,?He half the time from church would stay;?When Cuff his master's garments wore.--?'Twas strange you say, but he was poor;?And though he cared not for Cuff's soul,?Yet such the times, that on the whole,
[Illustration: CAGE.]
"_Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, slavery, thou art a bitter draught._"--STERNE.
His slave must to the meeting go,?If 'twas for nothing but a show.?They lived on thus for several years--?One would not think, that many tears?Would fall from off that shining face,?So sleek and smooth, or he would trace
[Illustration: NOTE.--_In some parts of the country, slaves are scantily fed, while their masters live in luxury_.]
The chain which bound, or wish to break,?But choose to stay for his own sake,?Where he so well was clothed and fed,?And shared the lawyer's food and bed,?So well contented he might be,?He'd hardly know but he was free,
[Illustration: _Fetters formerly used by the slave traders, to confine the ankles of their victims. The editor has seen some that were actually used by Rhode Island traders._]
But make the fetters of pure gold.?They're hateful still, they gall, they hold,?And if the pill is sugared o'er,?'Tis still as bitter as before.?Cuff ponder'd much, but did not know,?If he his master left to go,
[Illustration: A Cruel Master.]
And seek his fortune, he could find?Another master half so kind,?And who would give so large a share?Of the small pittance he could spare,?And every privilege could grant,?Which he could need or ever want;
[Illustration: _Emblem of Freedom.--A moth just changed from its chrysalis state, deserting its shell._]
But then of freedom he had heard,?And ere the dawning light appeared.?Early one morning Cuff arose,?And quickly putting on his clothes,?Stole softly out; lest he should wake?His master, who would rouse and shake
[Illustration: NOTE.--The Lawyer owned a Blacksmith's shop.]
The slumbers from his drowsy eyes,?And think that it was time to rise.?So Cuff went off. His master woke,?And Cuff was gone! It was no joke.?The Lawyer's work must now be done,?All by himself; and till the sun
[Illustration: A man escaping from slavery.]
Is slowly sinking in the west,?He'll scarcely have a minute's rest.?He felt his temper quickly rise,?Thinking his slave too rich a prize,?To be allowed to slip away,?Without a trial for "fair play;"
[Illustration: A slave-catcher is worse than a beast of prey.]
Said he, "My course is plain enough,?I'll take my horse and go for Cuff,?For he's my slave, and he shall give?To me, his service if he live."?Saddling his horse he mounts him quick,?Drives after Cuff with spur and stick:
[Illustration: "Angel of Mercy."]
But soon he paused his cause to try,?And thus he said, Why should not I?Be slave instead of Cuff, and he?As well be running after me?As I for him?--I'll let him go,?Whether he's free by law or no.
[Illustration: Justice freeing the slave.]
For God who fashioned him and me,?No doubt MADE ALL HIS CHILDREN FREE.?So justice o'er his mind held sway,?And Cuff in freedom, went his way.
[Illustration: Emancipation.]
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Amusing Trial in which a Yankee Lawyer Renders a Just Verdict, by Anonymous
? END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AMUSING TRIAL ***
? This file should be named 17604.txt or 17604.zip ***** This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
? http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/6/0/17604/
Produced by Jason Isbell and the Online Distributed?Proofreading Team at
Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed.
Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT