National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-05-19

lie recognized only one Of the four; the
man that struck him. As he drew back 10
give the blow, his mask dropped, and re-
yealed the face Of Joe Slifer, the prisoner
at the bar He knew il, he was positive
Of II, and all the ingenuity Of the cross-ex-
animation could not weaken or shake his
evidence on this important point,
No other witness was called for the pros
ecution none seemed necessary. The pris-
oner's lawyer got up and made a plausible
statement 10 the jury that the complainant
was mistaken about recognizing Joe Sifer
on the occasion referred to; that Slifer
was not there at all, but that he was at
Norcott, fifty miles north of Carlisle, at
the very hour OF that robbery, and that he
should prove il by at least two witnesses.
He sat down and called out "Caleb Wye,n
and everybody leaned forward expectantly.
The witness came forward with slow
limping gait, leaning on cane. He was
apparently man of middle age, and
dressed in suit Of sombre black, with a
white choker about his neck His hair
was silver grey, and AS he mounted the
stand, anG leaning on his cane, turned pla-
cidly to the prisoners counsel, he present
ed an appearance which would attract at
tenton and respect anywhere.
/ saw him; and though did not bctray
any surprise, know that my heart gave
tremendous thump. For saw the bilious,
thin face, the crooked nose and the Scared
forehead Of the dodger whom had seen
twenty-four hours before in the doorway
Of the saloon. With this difference, how
h.. b.. ,G ,ba,
black, while this mans was silver gray.
edged my chair quietly up beside that
Of the District Attorney, and while the
man was testifying | managed to whisper
in the others ear without attracting the
attention of the witness.
The latter testified that he was dealer
in ready made clothing at Norcott, and
one of the firm of Wye & Peasants. That
on the day testified to, Of the robbery,
both he and his partner We're al their store
at Nolcott, and there was an unusual call
for goods Joe Sliier was then in town;
they knew him well and had often en-
ployed him to help in the store. On this
pai ticular day they sent FIR HIM; he came
and he remained at the
store, waiting on customers, from two
o'clock till eight, without once leaving it,
Mr.. Peasants was in court, and could tes-
tify to the same facts.
The first question Of the District Attor-
ney made the fellow start and shiver.
"Are you in disguise, sir p
"Wh-what 2" stammered the man.
"llave you silver-gray wig over your
lark hair ;"
The man looked amazed and til n fright
aned, but said nothing and befort he could
recover his sci p session. the District At
.orney had stepped forward and removed
he wig, revealing smoothly brushed head
If dark brown hair
what docs this mean l' he asked stern
y.
"Only fancyn' was the surly answer
'Tve worn that wig for years"
"IIave you, indeed Did you wear it
nj day yesterday p
YES, sir. was the confident response.
"At Norcott. to be sure
"All dav ?"
"' ertainly, ! was there the whole day .
"N hen did you arrive here at Carlisle p /
AT 7.20 this morning.
The District Attorney gave me a trium-
ohant wink; and when be stated to the
'ourt that he desired this witness TO be
detained till the close of the trial the sher-
II was directed to take charge of him
Nr. Caleb Wye came down from the stand
With his wig in his hand. and took seat by
he sheriff, looking decidedly more bilious
han had yet seen him appear,
Mr. Pleasants was now loudly called for
~ the defence but no one came forward
The unexpected reception which the last
witness had met probably chilled the ardor
f his confederate, and he wisely chose to
.eep in the background. This, then, was
II Of the defence, and my evidence at once
lew it to the winds. looked directly at
lr. Wye (so-called) when | was telling
he jury when, where, and under what
circumstances | had seen him the previous
ay, and | saw him tremble like an aspen
eaf The jury convicted the prisoner
,ithout leaving their seats, and the wit
ess was locked up for further consdera-
ion.
| left Carlisle the next morning, and
card nothing more Of this affair for sev-
lal weeks. Then letter from the Dis
riot Attorney, thanking me for the assist
nee had rendered him, conveyed more
etals.
"TfH witness Wye" he wrote, whose
nal name is Nicholas Bray, was indicted
'r perjury. A very slight investigation
bowed me that we could prove that he
ad no right to the name of Wye; that :
either he nor any man by the name OF
easants ever kept store III Norcott, =,
nd neither of them were known there at {
Il. THIS, with your evidence, would have !
cen sufficient to convict him; and, un- = ,
erstanding it as well as anybody, he con-
uded to save trouble and plead guilty.
o he and Slter are both in the pcniten-
ary, and will stay there for term of !