New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-06-09

Many years ago, a gentleman followed 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 a few
days, and wished to know if there were any
amusements going on in the town to fill up the
intervals of time. The landlord replied that it
was 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 fortu-
nate, for he was fond of hearing trials the other
said that very interesting case of robbery would
come on 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 he was in a
distant part Of the kingdom at the time the rob-
berry was committed.
The guest manifested considerable anxiety to
hear the trial, but as the court would probably be
crowded, expressed some doubt of getting place.
The landlord told him there could be no 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 beagles. Ac
cordingy they went into court next morning, and
through the landlords interest with the officers of
the court, the gentleman 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, seemingly very much depressed; till
being called on for his defence he looked up, and
seeing the stranger, he suddenly tainted. This ex-
cited some surprise, 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 his behavior,
he said
+" Oh, my lord see person who can save my
life that gentleman pointing to the stranger
i" can prove / am innocent! Might l only have
leave to put few questions to him J"
The eyes Of the whole court were now turned
upon the gentleman, who said he felt in q very
awkward situation to be called upon, as he did not
remember ever to have seen the man before, but
that he would answer any question that was asked
him.
90 Well, them" said the man, " don't you recol-
lect landing at Dover at such timeH
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
"well," said he, don't you recolect that a
person in blue jacket and trowsers carried your
trunk to an innp'
To this he answered that, of course, some per-
son had carried his trunk for him, but that he did
not know what dress he wore
"But,' said the prisoner, So don't you remember
that the person who went with you from the boat
told you a story of his being In service, that he
showed you scar he had on one side of his fore
headN
During the last question the face of the stranger
underwent considerable change. He said he
certainly did recollect such circumstance; and
on the mans pushing his hair aside and showing
the scar he became quite sure that he saw the
same person. buzz of satisfaction now run
through the court; for the day on which, according
to the prisoners account, the gentleman met him
| at Dover, was the same on which he was charged
with the robbery in distant part of the country.
The stranger, however, could not be certain Of the
time, but said that he sometimes made memo
randum Of dates in his pocketbook, and might
| possibly have done SO on this occasion. On turn
! ing to his pocketbook, he found memorandum
| of the time he landed, which correspondent with
the prisoners assertion. This being the only cir.
cumstance necessary to prove the abb, the prise.
ner was Immediately acquitted, amidst the ap
plause and congratulations of the whole court.
| Within less than month after this, the gentle
man who came to the inn attended by the servant
in livery the servant who followed him, and the
prisoner who had been acquitted, were all three
brought back together for robbing the mail
It turned out that this clever defense at the tra
was scheme skillfully arranged by the thief!
confederates to obtain the release of their &C
complete.