The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-05-07
Select Storm.
TIE TIMELY WITNESS.

az tuc CiOSC VI COiu WlNter udy3 Ill
the year 1854, during the court term at
Clerkenwell Assizes, England, there
came up by the evening mail stage an
ordinary looking person, who halted at a
small tavern in the town of B., where
the trials were being heard, and who
informed the landlord that he should
proceed on the following day, if the
whether was not too bad.
He booked himself as " Henry Edge
ford, of Leeds" his baggage was duly
bestowed, and nothing out of the common
appearance indicated itself in his manner
or habits. lie spoke pleasantly, mixed
with the coming and established guests
of the house, and as the weather seemed
gloomy and forboding in the morning, "a
circumstance that might easily have been
foretold on the evening he arrived, by
the way,l he decided to remain over
another day.
Among the cases which had been pre-
scented by the grand jury Of the borough,
at the present sitting of the court, was
one for highway robbery, charged on II
man who answered to the name of Bur-
rows, and whose trial had commenced on
the day of Edgeford's arrival.
Time appeared to hang heavily on the
new comer's hands, and he seemed to be
anxious to proceed on his journey: but
the weather would not permit, and he
found himself reluctantly compelled !"
to tarry at B.. His landlord, DESTROYS
to amuse him, and retain his visitor as
long as possible, informed him that the
town or vicinity offered but little encour-
agement ordinarily for the entertainment
of strangers and especially those who
were bred in and accustomed to city life !;
but Just at that time the court was in
session, and among the presentations was
the case Of one John Burrows, who was
being tried for an alleged robbery on the
highway, the details of which no doubt
would interest him for the moment. But
the stranger had no taste for the mar
vellous, and did not care to attend court.
The subject was freely discussed at
the table, however, both at breakfast and
lunch hours, and Mr.. Edgeford was
induced at last to 90 to the court house
to listen to the closing evidence upon the
capital trial which had SO deeply inter
ested every one else in the neighborhood:
and which was really case of import
ancc and note.
In the mean time letters reached the
hotel for Henry Edgeford, Esq, OF
Leeds" forwarded duly by the post
from London; and Mr.. Il. had spoken Of
one or two Of his correspondents, who
had been recognized by other gentlemen
also tarrying at the public house where
he was temporarily sojourning. He had
heavy letter ofcredit from his friend
las he called him. Hon. Thomas Barring
and everything about the department
and carriage of Mr.. Henry Edgeford
denoted him the accomplished gentlemen
The case of Burrows, who was charged
with the high crime mentioned, was ii
this wise, as set forth in the allegation
"On the night of June 10Th, 1854
the Hon. Jonas Petit, M. P, was on hi.
way home in his pony chaise, when hi.
animal was suddenly seized by man
who sprang from hedge row, near thu
crossing of the Charing and Darlington
roads, who presented pistol against the
person of the honorable M. p, ant
demanded his money or his life
1t was near the sitting of the moon
and the only clue to the identity of thu
supposed robl'er was small cash upol
the back of his hand, which the honora
bic gentlemen observed at the time til,
pistol was drawn on him.
He had only four guineas about hin
at that moment, and single ten-poun,
note on the Bank of England. The lat
ter was not discovered by the robber
but the four gold coins were given up
Immediately an alarm was given by tn,
honorable gentlemen. scouts and police
men were sent out, and three days after
wards Burrows was captured in a neigh
boring town, and confined on suspicion
No gold was found upon him.
The honorable gentleman felt yer,
positive about his identity, however
from his dress, size, and the scarce