Show origin orgin of a popular phrase many diany years ago the good farmers in in my neighborhood began to be sorely annoyed by the mysterious disappearance of pigs pigs turkeys chickens and portable property in general these losses began just about the time when one joab strong took up his abode in the vicinity putting this and that together it was wag inferred that joab knew more about the matter than an honest man should A committee was as formed to interrogate him and he was cne ene moonlight night taken into the woods for that purpose he stoutly denied all ali al knowledge of the IP matter atter whereupon he was laid face downward over a log in a position for further proceedings now joab ya asked the chairman bal acing a supple stipple twig in hib bib hand band cant you really tell us anything about mr browns turkey 1 l PI 1 I told you I 1 know bothin about it down came the rod once twice six times I 1 hold therel cried joab 1 I remember now I 1 seen been him a broostin ro ostin in the cherrytree cherry tree and he went home with me very well mr strong about mr smiths pig dont know bothin about it know t he he had any pigs the reminder was waa applied is B before and at the sixth recollection was aroused oh ob y ya at I 1 was ag a g in along by abs tbs there re I 1 and the pig he followed me bomea home and got eat up and so as on through five counts of the indictment the last of 0 which related to chickens weli weil is well livell yes said the culprit at the usual point p 1 I did take them chickens and mighty poor ones they was too and and you flog any more I 1 know what youre goin to ask aak about next itis its major greens greenb corn I 1 did steal it I 1 own fht fhe corn ita its in in my kouse bouse hoube boube now and the II biair air can have it if he wants IM it the joke 0 the matter was waa that major green did not know that be h d lost any corn and the committee had bad finished tb thir ir examination when joab owned up upp without being ask asked ed |