The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FAST TALKER

DURING THE PROHIBITION TIMES, HOME BREW WAS AGAINST THE
LAW AS WELL AS EVEN THE MERE POSSESSION OF SPIRITS. A
MAN IN ARKANSAS BOUGHT SOME BOOZE FROM A MOONSHINER AND
WAS CAUGHT WITH IT AND BROUGHT BEFORE THE JUDGE OF THE
COUNTY:
JUDGE: WHO SOLD YOU THAT LIQUOR?
DEFENDENT: I DON'T KNOW.
JUDGE: WHAT KIND OF MAN WAS HE?
DEFENDENT: I DON'T KNOW.
JUDGE: YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF MAN HE WAS
THAT SOLD YOU THAT LIQUOR?
DEFENDENT: NO SIR, YOUR HONOR, I WAS ONLY INTERESTED
IN THE LIQUOR NOT THE MAN.
JUDGE: SURELY YOU MUST KNOW HOW TALL HE WAS?
DEFENDENT: HE WAS ABOUT YOUR SIZE, I'D SAY.
JUDGE: THROW THIS MAN OUT OF HERE BEFORE HE ACCUSES ME
OF SELLING THAT LIQUOR TO HIM.
THIS MAN WAS A FREE MAN AGAIN.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 11-08-1968