The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-01-10
From Chambers Miscellany.
CASE OF CIRCU MSTANTIAL EVI.
DEECE.
BRTNELLs CASE.

BRTNELL'o CASE.
In the wear l7l2 case Of a very remark
able nature occurred near Hull. \ gentle
man travelling to that place was stopped car
" in the evening, about seven miles from
the town. by single highwavman, with a
mask on his face, who robbed the traveller
o:a purse containing twenty euineas. The
hichwayman rode OF by different path, full
speed and the gentleman, frightened but hot
injured, except in purse, pursued his journey.
1t was growing late, however, and being nat
uraIly much agitatcd by what had passed, he
rode only two miles farther, and soYnrd at
the Bell Inn, kept by Mr. James Bruncll.--
He went into the kitchen to give directions
for his supper, where he related to several
persons present, the fact Of his having been
robbed to which he added this peculiar cir
cums:ancc, that when he travelled he always
gave his gold peculiar mark and that every
guinea in the purse taken from him was thus
marked. Hence he hoped that the robber
would be detected Supper being ready he
retired
The gentleman had not long finished his
supper when Mr. BrunelI came into the par
lor where he was, and after the usual inqUir-
les Of landlords as to the guests satisfaction
with his meal, observed, "Sir understand
YOU have been robbed not far hence this cv-
ening?' IL have, sir" was the reply. And
YOUR money was markell" continued the
landlord. 1T was" SAID the traveller. a
circumstance has arisen" resumed Mr. Brun-
ell, (which leads me to think that can point
out the rohber PRAY, at what time in the
evcnin. were Won stopped" :" 1T was Just
setting in to be dark" replied the traveller
The time confirms my suspicious" said the
landlord; and he then informed the gentle
man that he had waiter, one John Jennings,
who had Of late been 50 very full of money,
and so very e,trayagant, that he (the land
iord) had been surprised at it, and had de
termned to part with him, his conduct being
every way suspicious; that long before dark
that day he had sent out Jennings to change
agnInca Tor HIM; that the nan had only
come back since the arrival of the traveller,
SAVING he could not yet change and that
seeing Jennings to be in liquor, he had sent
nm oil to bed, determining to discharge him
IN the morning. Mr. Brunell continued to say
mat when the guinea was brought back TO
HIM, 1t struck him that it was not the same
winch he had sent out for change there being
on the returned one mark, which he was
sure was not upon the other; but he should
probably have thought no more of the matter
-Jennlngs having frequently had gold in his
pocket OF ia,c-had not the people in the
Kitchen told him what the traveller had re-
ia'ed respecting the robbery, AM the crrunl-
''"Nce oI ihc gUincas beng marked. He (Mr
n'u'''') haH not been present when this re-
'"ton was made, and unIuckilv, before he
AeaFd OF 1t from the people in the kitchen he
had pad away the guinea to a man who l;,ad
"' some distance, and who now had zone
nome "lhe circumstance. however" said
he landlord in conclusion ".trrol, mo
~ strongly, that could not refrain, as an
-0'cS' man. from coming and giving YOU in
formation of it."
AIT brune!I was duly thanked for his can
@'' disclosure There appeared from it the
'"o"sest reasons for suspectng Jennings
anu H. on searching him. any others of the
marked suneas should be found, and the GEN
''''Lei could identify them, there would then
'e'i"ih no doubt in the matter. 1t was now
asreed to 90 up to his room. Jennings was
last asleep: his pockets were searched and
from one Of them was drawn forth nurse
manning exactly nineteen guineas Sus-
P''''" now became certainty; for the gentle
man declared the purse and cuincas to ho
"'"ucnIly those Of which he had been.robbed
Ass'''ance was called Jennings was awok.
:, ,.V''' ragged out of bed, and charged with
''e robbery He denied it firmly: but cir
'"'s'aNce> were too strong to gam him be.
''''' lie was secured that night. and mex,
1'' taken before justice of the peace. The
se""e'nan and Mr. Bruncll depo>cd to tn,
.@'> upon oath; and Jennings, having Nc
f'"''s' nothing but mere assertions Of inuo
''hce' which could not be credited. was con-,
~ 'c 'skf IS '~;al ~ Big ",x. 4s.;,o,
- s'ro.,2, ...m.l 80. ,.....,