The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-04-07
One Crimanal Clears Another.

Vne Cr1manai clears An0Cner.
, A highwayman who, some years ago, rol
bed three gentlemen who were travelling t,
gether in stage coach, was soon after, VI
on strong evidence, arrested as the perso
who had committed the robbery, and sent
jail; where, dreading his approaching fate
he grew very pensive. A fellow prisoue
noticing his extreme detection, said to him
"How now friend, why do you continuall
wear that cloud upon your brow?" T
which the poor fellow replied, "that the ex
pectation of the gallows was enough to max,
any man look sorrowful " ssSbo," said tn,
other, "if that's all, cheer up man; if yol
will pay me handsomely, will get you of.
81 thank you, friend" he replied, ''but thai
is impossible; the proof is too strong against
me; nor do l think can have impudence
enough even to deny the fact" (for he was
was not a hardened villain, this being his
first crime) "Well,' replied the other, "if
you have not the courage to deny it, have
nothing more to say to you; but no cure, no
pay. Ifyou will agree to reward me, will
engage to get you off; and if my scheme
should miscarry, you can but be hanged at
last, you know" 81 have two hundred
pounds said the robber, zone hundred of
which, if you save my life, syours." Agreed
said the other, ''and now all you have to Go
is, to tell me every particular, &C., that
passed at the time you committed the rob-
berry; and when you are brought to the bar,
plead not guilty, and leave the rest to me-"
Then the highwayman related every word
and circumstance that he could recollect
which passed between the gentlemen and
himself
At the assises, when the robber was
brought to trial, he pleaded not guilty. Just
at this time there was heard great hustle
among the prisoners, which being loud enough
to disturb the court, the Jail keeper was call
ed upon to explain the disturbance, who
reported that one of the prisoners said he had
something OF the utmost Importance to say to
the judge, who Immediately ordered him to
the bar, and asked him who he disturbed the
court. He then assuming piteous counte-
nance, told his lordships, that, though he had
not permit him to let an innocent man suffer
a crime he had himself committed. Upon
which the gentlemen who were the prosecu-
tors seemed Disconnected. He then address,
ed himself to them, and repeated every word
that had been passed at the time they were
robbed, and had the impudence to exhort
hem to take care for the future, how they
swore away an innocent mans life. The
gentlemen stood reproved on his avowal of
lis crime, the real culprit was acquitted, and
he other commanded back to prison till a !
bill of indictment was found against him.
The real criminal was punctual to his prom
Sc to his preserver, and then made off with
ull speed.
When the supposed criminals trial came
IN, and he was at the bar, to the astonish-
nent of the whole court, he pleaded Not
iuilty, for which he was severely reproved
~ the Judge, who asked him how he dare
lave the effrontery to deny fact to which
le had pleaded guilty at the bar. To which,
With great composure, he replied, that he
lad not only denied the fact but could i'm
nediately prove his innocense, not only to
he satisfaction of his lordship, but to the
whole court adding that he could prove an
,libi at the time of the robbery. GLOW will
,ou prove this!" said the judge. "Your
ailor shall prove it for me-if your lordship
will be pleased to order him too look over
lis list of prisoners, he will find that was
n prison at the time the robbery was COM
nitted." On the jailor's examining his
ooks, he found to his satisfaction that this
elbow was brought into prison the day be-
ore the robbery was committed. For his
eglect, in not examining his books, he near
y lost his position. 1