Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-05-12
SelttteN sMisttIIanu.
AN INGENIOUS DEFENSE.

with hlm. Having Always uhu sphlknhB
of Yankee curiosity, he generally eontrived
To worm out by process imperceptible to
the party himself, what he wished to learn
regarding him. On the occasion alluded
to, Mr.. Vaughan was not long in ascertain
ing from his companion that he was also
going to Chelmsford assizes, which were to
be held on the following day. GAS jury
man no doubt?" said Mr.. Vaughan, on
learning the fact itself.
"No, sir, not as o juryman," said the
other.
"Oh! as witness, should have said"
"Not as q witness ether l wish 1t was
rs pleasant as that
"Oh, see how il is, you are the prosecu'
tor in some case which is painful to youl
feelings. However such things will hap
pen. There is no help for them"
''You are still wrong in your conjecture,
sir; am going to pay away money for O
relative who has a case in the assizes."
"Ah that's it, Very unpleasant certain
ly to pay money" observed the learned
Sergeant. ,,
at is, indeed, for those who have little
to spare" said the other.
"Well, but hope it is not any serious
amount.
"Why, the magnitude of the sum, you
know, depends upon the resources OF the
party who has to make the payment.
Every true; certainly, very true, said
Sergeant Vaughan.
my limited means, is very large indeed "
''Ohl but perhaps you expect to be repaid
in some way or other again"
"That's very uncertain! it depends en-
tirely on whether my relative, who has Just
taken q public house there, succeeds in
business or not.
"Well, it is certainly hard case" OBJ
served Mr. Sergeant Vaughan, with seri-
Gus and emphatic air.
"Aye, you would say SO if you only knew
it all"
'Indeedl Are there any peculiar circum-
stances in the case?"
"There are, indeed" answered the other
with something between sigh and a groan.
'Is the matter secret2" inquired Mr.,
Sergeant Vaughan, his curiosity being now
wound up to more than an ordinary pitch,
"Not in the least said the other ~
will tell you the story if you do not think
it tiresome he added
II am all anxiety to hear it," said the
learned man.
"Well, then said the other, ''about six
weeks since u respectable rn-dealer in
London, when ON his way to Chelmsford,
met on the coach with two persons who
we're perfect strangers to him. The stran-
gers soon entered in conversation with
him, and having learned the object OF his
visit to Chelmsford said that they were
also going there on precisely similar
errand-namely, to make some purchase
of corn. After further conversation to-
gether, it was suggested by one of the par
ties that il would be much better for all
three if they could come to an understand
ing together, as to what amount Of pur-
chase they should make and under what
peculiar circumstances these purchases
should be made for if they went into the
market slap dash, the result would be that
in so small place as Chelmsford they
would raise the prices, whereas, by Oper |
ating slowly and in concert, they would be
avoided.
"The second party pretended to approve
highly of the suggestion and further pro-
posed in order to show that neither had !
the start of the other, that they should de-
post the same sum Of money in the hands !
Of the respectable landlord Of the principal
inn; taking care that they did it in the
presence of witnesses and that special in
struction should be given to the landlord
not TO give up farthing OF either until all
three returned together TO receive the
whole, adding that If he did he would be
held responsible. The London merchant
knowing the landlord of the inn to be q
man of undoubted respectability, at once
assented TO the proposal and each Of the
three parties accordingly placed in his
hands, under the circumstances stated,
G25O, making e750 in ALL
"Well, said Sergeant Vaughan, "wel,
you certainly do interest me in your singu-
lar 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 oil
come to the conclusion that it would be
better TO make their purchases as early in
the day as possible, and that consequently
the other two had desired him TO return
and get the money"
"And the landlord gave him the whole
sum at once2" interposed Mr.. Vaughn.
"He did, indeed, unfortunately for him
self and me-" answered the other.
"And what followed 2" inquired the learn
ed 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 II TO the other ?"
He did p
"On which, suppose, they bring an &C.
tion against the landlord7"
Precisely so; and seeing that the de-
fence was useless, inasmuch as h0 deliver
edup the money to one, when his instruc-
tions were peremptory not 10 deliver il un-
til oil three were present, my friend is 10
allow the action TO go undefended The
money must be paid 10 the sharper--for
both strangers, as the event proved, were
sharpers-and also the London merchant"
"And you really have made up your
mind TO pay IL p
"Oh certainly, because there is no help
for IT,"
II am barrister; am Mr.. Sergeant
Vaughan, and will defend the case gratu-
itously."
The other rendered him thousand
thanks, for his apprehensions were that all
efforts at defense would be perfectly use-
less.
1--WE shall see, said the Sergeant sig
ni6cantly I'VE shall see. You and your
friend the landlord will call on me this
evening, at three o'clock, 10 arrange for
the defence tomorrow"
Tomorrow came and the case was duly
called ON. The poor inn-keeper, acting
upon the advice Of Mr.. Vaughan, but not
oerceiving in what way he could be bene-