Couldn’t Help It, in Fact — 113
A grand jury down South ignored a bill against a negro for stealing chickens, and before discharging him from custody, the judge bade him stand reprimanded, and he concluded thus:—“You may go now, John, but let me warn you never to appear here again.” John, with delight beaming in his eyes, and a broad grin, displaying a beautiful row of ivory, replied: “I wouldn’t been here dis time, Judge, only de constable fotch me.”