Seattle Daily Post Intelligencer

John Hicks Bartholomew Lagson, an old negro well known in Arkansas politics, was asked his opinion of the Presidential campaign.

"Wal, sah, said he. "I'se thought 'bout dis matter a good deal, an' I is now forced ter de 'clusion dat somebody's gwine ter get beat. It didn't look dis way at fust, but ez de campaign hab been progressin', dis fack hab come a trottin' er long, keepin' right up wid de udder features ob de race."

"What do you think of Blaine?"

"He's a mighty fine man, sah; de best man whut de Republicans could put up. He totes er mighty fine head roun' wid him."

"What do you think of Cleveland?"

"Wal, sah, he's a monstrous fine man; de best one what de Democrats could er put up. He totes suthin' mighty solid roun' outer his shoulders."

"Which do you think will be elected?"

"Now, boss, you needn't say dat I'se mentioned de subjeck and gin de thing erway, but dat's de leadin' pint in de whole thing."

"Of course it is."

"Das's what I say. It's a leadin' pint, an' one dat ain't gwine ter be settled till some time arter de election."

"Which one of the candidates is your choice?"

"Sure, doan' open you' mouth dat way again. I'se got my eye on de post-office down here in de country. Jes' tell me de man what would be de most apt ter give me de office, an' I'll tell yer which one I'll go fur."

A rogue was charged with obtaining goods by false pretense. He pleaded that he failed to see how a pretense could be other than false.