Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-05-20
AN INGENIOUS DEFENCE.

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and industry to be successful in an honest cal
ling, which they put forth IN knavery. they
would be sure to stand high in any profession
or trade. The following narrative shows what
shrewd devices they adopt, and what perils
they bodily incur, to secure their Objects
Many years ago, gentleman, followed by
| servant in livery, rode into an inn in the
west of England one evening, little before
dusk. He told the landlord that he should be
detained by business in that part of the coun-
try for a few days, and wished to know if there
was any amusement going on in the town to
fill up the intervals of time. The land lord re-
piled that 1t their assize week, and he
would therefore be at no loss to pass away his
leisure hours. On the gentleman's making
answer that this was fortunate, fer he was fond
of hearing trials, the other said that very in
teresting case of robbery would come on the
next day, on which peoples opinions were
very 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 guest manifested considerable anxiety
to hear the trial, but the conrt would prob
ably be crouded expressed some doubt of get
ting place. The landlord told him that
there conld be no difficulty in gentleman of
his appearance getting seat, but that, to pre-
vent any accident. he would himself go with
him and speak to one of the beadles. Accor--
dinghy they went into court next morning,
and through the landlords interest with the
officers of the court, the gentlman was shown
to seat on the bench. Presently the trial
began.
While the evidence was proceeding against
him, the prisoner had remained with his eyes
fixed on the floor, seem ingiy very much de-
pressed; till, on being called ON for his de-
fence, he looked up, and seeing the stranger,
be suddenly tainted. This excited some sur
prise, and it seemed, at first, like trick to
gain time. As soon as he came to himself,
being asked by the judge the cause of this be-
havior, he said:
60, my lord, see person who can
save my life that gentleman" pointing to
the stanger, sscan prove l am innocent;
might only have leave to put few questions
to him.''
The eyes of the whole court were now turn
ed upon the gentleman, who said he felt in
very awkward situation to be call upon, as be
did not remember ever to have seen the man
before, but that he would answer any question
that was asked him
WE'LL" SAID he, ssbut don't yon reccollect
that person in blue jacket and trowsers
carried your trunk to the inn %
To this he answered that OF course some
person had carried his trunk for him. but that
be did not know what dress he wore.
s'But,'' said the prioner, ssdon't you re-
member that the person who went with you
from the boat told you story of his being in
the service, that he showed you a scar on one
side OF the forehead?''
During this last question the face of the
stanger underwent considerable change. He
said he certainly did recollect such a circum-
stance; and on the man pushing his hair as ide
and showing the scar, he became quite sure
that he saw the same person. A buzz of sat
isfaction ran through the court for the day
on which. according to the prisoners account,
same on which he was charged with the rob- |
berry in distant part of the country. The |
stranger, however, could not be certain of the |
time, but said he sometimes made memo
randum of dates in his pocket-book, and might |
possibly have done so on this occasion. On
turning TO his pocket book, he found memo
randum of the time he landed which correspon-
ded with the prioner's assertion. This being
the only circumstance necessary to prove the |
alibi, the prisoner was Immediately acquitted, |
amidst the applause and congratulations of the |
whole court.
Within less than month after this the gen.
tleman who came to the inn attended by the |
servant in livery, the servant who followed |
him, and the prisoner who had been ac-
quilted, were all three brought back together
to the same Jail for robbing mail
1t turned out that this clever defence at the
trial was scheme skillfully arranged by the
thief's confederates to obtain the release of
heir accomplice.
yankee boy had whole Dutch cheese set
before him by waggish friend who, howev-
Or, gave him no knife; ssThis is a funny
cheese, Uncle Joe, but where shall cut il ~
sOh,'' said the grinning friend, scout it where
7on like-'' eVery we'll" said the Yankee,
;ooly putting it under his arm, s.I'll cut it st
1ome.''
THE DREAMER's ORAcLE.-If you dream you
ire somebody else, it is clear you are beside
and if you dream you are donkey,
playing with your ears, it is a sure sign you
nave recovered your senses and are wide