HORSE-STEALING ANECDOTES 259 



way. Well, Sassy went down to Bosten to do a little 

 chore of business there, where this law was, only he 

 didn't know of it. So, as soon as he gets off the coach, 

 he outs with his case, takes a cigar, lights it, and 

 walks on smokin' like a furnace-flue. No sooner said 

 than done. Up steps constable and sais, " I trouble 

 you for two dollars for smokin' agin law in the street." 

 Sassy was as quick as wink on him. " Smokin' ! " 

 sais he, " I warn't a smokin'." " Oh my ! " sais 

 constable, " how you talk, man. I won't say you 

 lie, because it ain't polite, but it's very like the way 

 I talk when I lie. Didn't I see you with my own 

 eyes ? " " No," sais Sassy, " you didn't. It don't 

 do always to believe your own eyes ; they can't be 

 depended on more nor other people's. I never trust 

 mine, I can tell you. I own T had a cigar in my 

 mouth, but it was because I like the flavour of 

 tobacco, but not to smoke. I take it it don't con- 

 vene with the dignity of a free and enlightened 

 citizen of our almighty nation to break the law, 

 seein' that he makes the law himself, and is his own 

 sovereign and his own subject too. No, I warn't 

 smokin', and if you don't believe me try this cigar 

 yourself and see if it ain't so. It hante got no fire 

 in it." Well, constable takes the cigar, puts it into 

 his mug, and draws away, and out comes the smoke 

 like any thin'. 



' " I'll trouble you for two dollars, Mr. High 

 Sheriff devil," sais Sassy, " for smokin' in the 



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