Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-07-16
audlord not to give up farthing to either

landlord not to give up a farthing to either
until all three rcturnedtogether to receive
the whole. adding that if he did he would
be held responsible. The London mer-
chant, knowing the landlord Of the inn
to be man of undoubted responsibility.
at once assentcd 10 the proposal, and each
ofthe three parties accordingly placed in
his hands under the circumstances stated,
two hundred and fifty pounds, making
seven hundred and fifty pounds in ALL"
"Well.n said Sergeant Vaughan. "you
certainly do interest me in your singular
story. And what was the RESULT"
"Why, this-that scarcely had the three
parties left the inn minute, when one
of the two strangers came running back,
and said that on second thought they had
all come to the conclusion that it would
be better to make their purchasesas early
in the day rs possible and that con-
sequcntly the other two had desired him
to return and get the money"
And the landlord gave him the whole
sum at once?"
''Hc did. indeed, unfortunately for
himself and me-" answered the other.
"And what followed" inquired the
learned gentleman, eagerly.
"Why, the other stranger and the Lon
don merchant returned in about an hour
and demanded their money"
when the landlord. OF course, told
them he had given it to the othcr?"
ale didm
"On which, suppose, they bring an
action against the landlord?"
Precisely So and seeing that defence
was useless, inasmuch rs he has delivered
up the money TO one, when his instruc-
ton were imperative not TO deliver it
until all three were present, my friend is
to allow the action to 60 undeiended.
The money must be paid TO the sharper
for both s,i iangers, rs the event proved,
were sharpcrs--and also to the London
merchant
And YOU really have made up your
mind to pay it"
80. certainly-becauso there is no help
for it,"
II am barrister; | am Sergeant
Vaughan. and will defend the case gra-
tuitously."
The other rendered him thousand
thanks, for his apprehen@ions were that
all efforts at defence would be perfectly
useless.
I'VE shall see," said the Sergeant, sig
nificanlly; 1--WE shall see. You and your
friend the landlord will call on me this
evening, at three O'Clock, to arrange for
the defence tomorrow"
Tomorrow came, and the case was
duly called on. The poor inn-keeper,
acting upon the advise of Mr.. Vaughan
bu, not perceiying in what way he could
be benefited by it, defended the case
Everything proceeded so favorably for
the prosecution for some time that, though
every person in the court sympathized
with the unfortunate landlord, they saw
no possibility of any other result than
decision against him. Mr.. Sergeant
Vaughan, when the case for the prosecu
ton was closed. arose and said:
Now, gentlemen of the jury. you have
heard the evidence adduced You have
seen it proved, by unexceptionable wit,
nesses, that the defendant received most
positive instructions from all three not tc
deliver the money, or any part OF 1t, tc
either of the parties except in the presence
of ALL Gentlemen. my client has got the
money in his possession, and is ready to
give it up tchcn all three parties come to
demand Il. Let the absent party be
brought 10 his house, in company with
the other two, and every one will have
the money returned to him."
The defence was equally ingenious and
complete. The jury looked as amazed
at each other rs if some new world had
burst on their astonshed gaze; SO did al
the spectators in the court. The verdict
was. of course, for the defendant. 1t i:
unnecessary TO add that the two who had
absconded with the money neverreturned
and consequently the poor landlord never
had to pay farthing of the amount.