The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-06-28
An Ingenious Defence.

MANY years ago, u gentleman, followed
by servantin livery, rode into an inn in
the west of England, one evening 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 amuse-
ments going on in tho 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 gentle
mans making answer that this was for
tunate, 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 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 getting a place. The landlord
told him there could be no difficulty in a
gentleman of his appearance getting Il
scat, but that, to prevent any accident,
he would himself go with him and speak
to one of the bcaglos. Accordingly they
went into court next morning, and
through the landlords interest with the
officers of the court, the gentleman was
shown to q scat 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, seeming
ly very much depressed; till being called
on for his defence, he looked up and Sec
ing 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 tie Judge the cause of his behavior,
he said
"Oh my lord, I sec a person who can
save my life; that gentlcman'-pointng
to the strangor-"can provo 1 am inno-
cent Might I 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 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 ask
ed him.
"Well, then," said the man, "don't you
recollcct landing at Doverat such timer!
To this the gentleman answered that
he had landed at Dover not long before,
hut that lie could not tell whether it was
on the day mentioned or not.
"Well," said he, "don't you rccollect
that person in blue jacket and trowsers
carried your trunk to an inn ?"
To 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
you from the boat told you story of his
being in service, that he showed you a
scar hc had on one side of his forehead !"
Daring the last question the face of the
stranger underwenta considerable change
lie said he certainly did recollect such a
circumstance; and on the mans pushing
his hair aside and showing the scar, he
became quite sure that he saw the same
person. A 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 tho
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 memorandum of dates in
his pocket book, and might possibly have
done so on this occasion. On turning TO
his pocket book, he found a memorandum
of the time he landed, which CO tespon-
dcd with the prisoners assertion. This
being the only circumstance necessary to
prove the alibi, the prisoner was immedl-
ately acquitted, amidst the applause and
congratulations Of the whole court.
Within less than month after, the
gentleman who came to tho inn attended
by the servant in livery. the servant who
followed him, and the prisoner who had
| LAa.> s...e..>:...l ..... Ill 4broo hron orh L