Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1866-01-04
An Ingenious Defense.

Many years ago n gentleman, followad by
servant in livery, rode into nm inn in the
west Of England one evening n little before
dusk. lie told the landlord that he should
bo detained by business in that part of tho
country Tor few days, and wished to know
if there was any amusing going on in town
TO fill up the intervals Of time The land
lord replied that il was their assze week,
and he would therefore be at no loss to pass
away his leisure hours. On the gentle
man 8 making answer that this was fortu-
nate, for he was fond of hearing trials, tho
other said that II very interesting case Of
robbery would come off on the next day, on
which peoples opinions were much divid-
ed, the evidence being strong against the
prisoner but the man himself persisted We
ry resolutely in declaring that he was in a
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 prob
ably would be crowded, expressed doubt Of
getting a place. The landlord told him
there could be do difficulty in gentleman
of his appearance getting seat, but that,
to prevent any accident, he would himself
go with him and speak to one of the
Judges. Accordingly they went to the court
next morning, and through the landlords
interest with the officers OF the court, the
gentleman was shown to a seat on the bench.
Presently the trial commenced.
While the evidence was proceeding against
| him, the prisoner hadremained with his eyes
| fixed on the floor seemingly much depress-
ed; till being called upon for his defense he
looked up, and seeing the stranger he sud-
denly tainted. This excited some surprise,
and it seemed at first like a trick to gain
time As soon as he came to himself, be-
ing asked by the judge the cause of his be-
havior, he said:
'Oh, my lord, see a person who can
save my life; that gentleman, pointing to
the stranger, "can prove me innocent; might
only have leave to put few questions TO
him?
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, utthat he would
answer any question that was asked him.
well then" said the man, don you
remember Of landing at Dover at such a
time?"
10 this the gentleman answered that lie
had landed at Dover not long before, but
that he could not tell whether it was on the
day mentioned or not.
"Wel," said he, but don't you rcmem-
Der that person in blue jacket and trow-
sers carried your trunk for YOU to the
imp"
70 this he 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
Iyou from the boat told you story of his
| bn, IL, ,oh +bo+ ha "a
a scar he had on one side of his head?'
During this last question the face of the
stranger underwent considerable change
He said he certainly did recollcct such q
circumstance, and on the man pushing his
hair aside and showing the scar, he became
7 quite sure that he saw the same person.
2 A buzz of satisfaction now run through
the court; for the day OH which, according
{ to the prisoners 5 account, the gentleman
had met him at Dover, was the same on
which he was charged with committing q
robbery, in distant part Of the country.
The stranger, however, could not be GER
; tain of the time, but said that he some
; times made a memorandum Of dates in his
pocket book, and might possibly have done
so this occasion.
On turning to his pocket book, he found
memorandum Of the time he landed, which
! cOrreSpOndeu WIN tne prisoner assertion.
This being the only circumstance necessary
=, to prove the dHbi, the prisoner was imme-
n diatey acquitted, amidst the applause and
congratulations Of the whole court.
Within less than month after this, the
gentleman who came to the inn attended
!, by a servant in livery, and the servant who
:, had been acquitted, were all three brought
back together for robbing the mail!
; 1t turned out this clever defense at the
: trial was scheme skillfully arranged by
i the thief $ confederates to obtain the re-
q leave of their accomplice.