The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-12-13
NUMBER Al !
An Ingenious Defense.


by a servant In livery, rode into an inn
in the west Of England one evenings
little before dusk He told the landlord
that he should be detained by business
in that part of the country for "a few days,
and wished to know if there was any
amusements going on instown to fill up
the intervals of time The landlord re-
piled that it was their assize week, and
away leisure hours. On the gentleman's
making answer that this was Fortunate,
for he wasfond of hearing trials, the
other said that very interesting caseof !
robbery would come on the next day, on
which peoples opinions were much li-
yided. the evidence being very strong
against the prisoner, but the man himself
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 as the court
would proably be crowded, expressed
some doubt Of getting place. The
landlord told him there could be no diff
Gculty in gentleman of his appearance
getting a seat, but that, to prevent any
accident, he would himself 60 with him
and speak to on, of the beagles. 9Ac-
cordingly they wentinto the court next
morning, and through the landlords IN
terest with the officers Of the court, the
gentleman was shown to a 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, seemingly
much depressed; till being called on for
his defense he looked up, and seeing the
stranger, he suddenly tainted This ex-
cited some surprise, and it seemed at first
| like a trick to gain time. As soon as he
came to himself, being asked by the judge
the cause of his behavior, he said:
"Oh, my lord, see person who can
fsave my life; that gentleman pointing
to the stranger, 'scan prove me innocent;
might only have leave to put few ques-
tions to him ?" q sa
The eyes of the whole court were now
turned upon the gentleman, who said he
felt in an awkward situation to be called
upon, as he did not remember ever to
have seen the man before him, but that
he would answer any question: that was
asked him, e sgaa
"Well, then" said the man, adon't you
remember of landing at Dover at such q
, time 2" easie
/ To this the gentleman answered that he
had landed at Dover not long before, but
that he could not tell whether it was on
the day mentioned or not Ear.4 sssA
}, "Well, said he, abut don Z you remem-
Der that person in blue Jacket and
trowsers carried your trunk for you to the
imp" f PA aes
To this he answered that of course
some person had carried his trunk for
81 him, but that he did not know what dress
4 he wore. Ats E's@
d 'sBut," said the prisoner, "don't you
' remember that the person who vent with
: you from the boat told you story of his
being in the service, that he showed to
i you scar he had on one side of his tore
!. head ?'' ew as ~ sa'sils ss1 s22
II During this last question the face Of
{ the stranger underwent considerable
change. He said he certainly did recol-
4 lect such circumstance, and ON the man
e pushing his hair aside and showing the
scar, he became quite sure that he saw
the same person. s
!. A buzz Dissatisfaction now ran through
D the court; for the day on which, accord
!. ling to the prisoners account, the gentle
O man had met him at Dover, was the same
e on which he was charged with committing
: a robbery, ia distant part Of the coun
a try 2ss5 'saA e.s
d The stranger, however, could not be
s certain Of the time, but said that ht
n sometimes made memorandum Of dates
i in his pocket book, and might possibly
e have done SO on this occasion Scr %
is On turning to his pocket book, ht
found memorandum ofthc time he land
t. ed, which corresponded with the prison
) Ier's assertion. This being the only cir
cumstance necessary to prove the abb
the prisoner was Immediately acquitted
d amidst the applause and congratulation
Of the whole court. ~ y
IN Within less than month after this, th
gentleman who came to the inn attende
s. by the servant in livery, and the servan
who followed him and the prisoner VIII
+ had been acquitted, were llthree brough
back together for robbing the NALL
Ill 1t turned out tina. this clsver defens
at the trial was scheme skilifuliy al
d ranged by the thiefs conl ederates to OF
Nv tain the release of their accomplice.
I