Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-07-12
An Ingenious Defence.

Many years ago, q Sentleuau, iolIoWeu
by servant in livery, rode into an inn in
the west of England, one evening a little
before dusk. He told the landlord that he
should be 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 assize week, and be would, therefore,
be at no loss to pass away his leisure hours.
On the gentleman's making answer that this
was fortunate, for he was fond Of hearing
trials, the other said that very interesting
case of robbery would come off the next
day, on which peoples opinions were much
divided, the evidence being very strong
against the prisoner, but the man himself
persisted resolutely in declaring that be was
in distant part of the kingdom at the time
the robbery was committed.
The guest manifested considerable anx-
iety to hear the trial, but as the court would
be crowded, expressed some doubt of get
ting place. The landlord told him there
could be no difficulty in gentleman of his
appearance getting a seat, but that, to pre-
vent any accident, he would himself 60 with
him and speak to one of the beagles. Ac-
cordingly they went into the court the next
morning, and through the landlords inter-
est with the officers of the court, the gen.
tleman was shown to seat on the bench.
Presently the trial began.
While the evidence was proceeding a.
gainst him, the prisoner had remained with
his eyes fixed on the floor, seemingly very
much depressed; till being called on for
his defence, he looked up, and seeing the
stranger, he suddenly tainted. This excited
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 a:
"Oh, my lord, l see person who can
save my life that gentleman" pointing to
the strauger-"cau prove I am innocent :!
Might only have leave to put few ques-
tions to him ?"
The eyes of the whole court were now
turned upon the gentlemen, who said be
felt in very awkward situation tc be called
upon, as he did not remember ever to have
seen the man before, but that he would an.
swer any question that was asked him.
"Well, them" said the man, "don't you
recoliect landing at Dover at such time %
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.
"Well," said he, "don't you recollect
that person in blue jacket and trowsers
carried your trunk to an inn p
To this be answered that, of course, some
person had carried his trunk for him, but
that he did not know what dress he wore.
"But," said the prisoner, "don't you re-
member that the person who went with you
from the boat told you story of his being
in service, that he showed you scar hshad
on one side of his forehead 2"
During the last question the face of the
stranger underwent considerable change.
He said he certainly did recollect such a
circumstance and on the mans pushing
his hair aside and showing the scar, he be-
came quite sure that be saw the same per-
son, A buzz of satisfaction now run