The court is got to set out some taters before the rain.

From A treasury of American anecdotes; sly, salty, shaggy stories of heroes and hellions, beguilers and buffoons, spellbinders and scapegoats, gagsters and gossips, from the grassroots and sidewalks of America by Benjamin Albert Botkin. 

Among Attorney Theo. Titus’ first efforts was a case in a Country Justice Court. Mr. Titus was closing for the plaintiff, and was making an eloquent but long-drawn-out argument. The court became very impatient. Finally a cloud came up, and a clap of thunder almost shook the house.

“Look here, Colonel Titus,” said the court. “When you git through with your speech you’ll find my judgment right under this book. The court is got to set out some taters before the rain.”