The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-03-15
CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.

"
met with:
A gentleman travelling to Hull was
stopped late in the evening, about seven
miles short of that town. by a single
highwayman with mask on, who robbed
him of purse containing twenty guineas
The highwayman rode off by a different
road, full speed, and the gentleman per-
sued his journey. 1t, however, growing
late, and being already much frightened
and agitated at what had passed, he rode
only two miles further, and stopped at the
Bell, roadside inn kept by James Blu
nell. He went into the kitchen to give
directions for his supper, when he related
to several persons his having been robbed
to which he added this peculiar circum-
stance, that when he travelled he always
gave his gold particular mark; that
every guinea in the purse he was robbed
Of was so specially marked, and that
probably the robber, by that means, would
be detected Supper being ready, he
retired. He had not long finished his
repast when Mr.. Brunell came into the
paror After the usual inquiries Of land
lords Of hoping the supper and every
thing was to his liking, etc, Sir" says
he, " understand that you have been
robbed not far hence this evening"" " l
have, sir" And that your money was
marked ?" "It was" \ circumstance
has arisen which leads me to think that |
can point out the robber." " Indeed" "
Pray sir, what time in the evening was
it?"" 1t was just setting in to be dark"
The time confirms suspicious" Nlr.
Brunell then informed the gentleman that
he had waiter, one John Jennings, who
had of late been so very full Of money he
had had many words with him about it,
and had determined to part with him on
account Of his conduct being so suspicious;
that long before dark that day he had
sent him out to change a guinea for him,
and that he had only come back since he,
the gentleman, was in the house, saying
he could not get change; and that Jenn-
ings being in liquor, lie had sent him to
bed, resolving to discharge him in the
morning That at the time he returned
him the guinea, he, Mr.. Brunell, did not
think it was the same which lie had given
him to get silver for, having perceived
mark upon this which he was very clear
was not upon the other but that never
theless, he should have thought no more
Of the matter, as Jennings had so fre-
quently gold of his own in his pocket,
had he not afterwards heard-tor he
was not present when the gentleman was
in his kitchen relating it--the particulars
of the robbery, and that the guineas
which the highwayman had taken were
all marked that, however, a few minutes
previously to his having heard this, he
had unluckily paid away the guineas
which Jennings returned him to the man
who lived some distance off and was gone;
but the circumstance struck him so very
strongly that he should not, as an honest
man, refrain from giving this informa-
ton.
Mr. Brunel was thanked for his atten-
tion and public spirit. There was the
strongest reason for suspecting Jennings
and if, on searching him any of the mark
cd guineas should befound, as the gentle
man could swear to them, there would
then remain no doubt. 1t was now
agreed to go softly up to his room; Jen-
nings was fast asleep; his pockets were
searched, and from one Of then was drawn
forth purse containing exactly nineteen
guineas. Suspicion became demonstra-
ticn, for the gentleman declared them to
be idcntically those of which he had been
robbed. Assistance was called, Jennings
was awakened, dragged out Of bed, and
charged with the robbery He denied
it firmly, but circumstances were too
strong to gain him belief lie was Sc
cured that night, and thenext day carried
before neighboring Justice of the Peace.
The gentleman and Mr. Brunell deposed
TO the factso on oath and Jennings, having
no proofs, but mere assertions Of innocence
10 oppose them, which obtained no credit,
was committed to take his trial at the
assizes.
So strong were the circumstances known
to be against him, that several of his
friends advised him to plead guilty on
his trial, and to throw himself on the
,,,oYo,, oP tbo No,rt fNh;e n d,r;oo l. 49,.