FARMING IT 



in being willing to assume that she would tell 

 the truth even if it sent her helpmeet to a felon's 

 cell. 



The great day arrived, and there was vast 

 excitement in our midst. I had never been tried 

 for my life or liberty before, and naturally woke 

 early and ate but little breakfast. I drank, how- 

 ever, two cups of strong coffee, and after break- 

 fast went to the stable to arrange with Pat to 

 bring my main witness, the cow, to the court at 

 the proper time. I had bought a handsome 

 blanket for her, and before Pat put it on I ex- 

 amined her carefully. Although she had shed a 

 considerable amount of hair during the week, 

 the letters and figures were as distinct as ever. 



Then, giving Pat instructions to wait until 

 sent for, and on no account to let any one ex- 

 amine her or lift the blanket, and arming him 

 with a long whip to enforce my commands, I 

 started for the court-house with my devoted 

 family. As we approached the edifice, we saw 

 an immense crowd gathered around the door and 

 steps and sidewalk. 



Cameras clicked and snapped and took our 

 lineaments and our widely divergent, joint and 

 several proportions, to their secret recesses; 

 impertinent strangers climbed on one another's 

 shoulders and stared and voted us generally a 

 bad lot, and frowned and sneered when our 



