The Corinth war eagle. [volume] (Corinth, Miss.) 1862-186?, 1862-08-07
A Singular tDefence.

4 gentleman, followed by ssfvantln iIT-
Ary. rode to an inn in the west of England
one evening, little before Dusk He told
the landlord that he should bs detained by
business in that part Of the country for few
DAYS, and wished to know if there we're any
AmuSements going on in the town to fill UP
the intervals Of time. The landlord replied
that it was their race and assize week, and
that he would, therefore, be at no loss to pass
away his leisure hours. On the gentleman's
making answer that this was fortunate, for
that he was fond of hearing trials, the other
said that very interesting ttial would come
on the next day, on which peoples opinions
were much divided, the evidence being very
strong against the prisoner; but the man him
self persisted resolutely in declaring that he
was in distant part Of the kingdom at the
time the robbery was committed.
The gnest manifested considerable curiosl-
ty to hear the trial; but as the court would
probably be crowded, expressed some doubt
Of getting place. The landlord told him
that there could be no difficulty in gentle
man of his appearances getting a seat but
chat. to make sure he would himself go with
him, and speak to one of the beadles. Ac-
cordingly, they went into court the next
morning, and, through the landlords interest
with the officers of the court, the geetleman
was shown to seat on tbs bench. Pres
emily after, the trial began
While the evidence was proceeding against
him, the prisoner had remained with his eyes
fixed on the ground, seemingly very much
depressed, till, on being called on for his de-
fence, he looked up, and seeing the stranger
he suddenly tainted. This excited some
surprise, and it seemed, at first, like trick
TO gain time. As soon as he came to him
self, being asked by the judge the cause o.
his behavior, he said
"Oh, my lord, see person present who
can save my life; that gentleman" pointing
20 the stranger, "can prove l am innocent
might only have leave 70 put few ques
tons to him."
The eyes of the whole court were nov
turnsd upon the gentleman, who said he fell
in very awkward situation to be called up
on. az he did not remember even TO have seer
the man before, but that he would answe
any question that was asked him.
"Well, then," said the prisoner, "do you
remember landing at Dover, at such time"
To this the gentleman answered that h
had landed at Dover not long before, but b.
could not tell whether IL was on the day h.
mentioned or not.
well" said he, but don't you recollec
that person, in blue jacket and trowsers
carried your trunk to the inn %
To this he answered, that of course som
person had carried his trunk for him; bu
that he did not know what dress he wore.
But" said the man. don't you remem
Der that the person who went with you from
the boat told you story of his being in the
service that he thought himself an ill-use
man, and that he showed you scar he ha
on one side Of his forehead%
During the last question, the counte
Of the stranger underwent considerabl
change. He said he certainly did recollec
such circumstance; and on the mans put
ting his hair aside, then showing the scar, h
became quite sare that he saw the same pei
son. A buzz of satisfaction now ran throug
the court for the day on which, according t
the prisoners account, the gentleman had me
with him at Dover, was the same on whic
he was charged with the robbery in distar
part Of the country. The stranger, howeye