The Van Buren press., 1871-06-20
Proving an AlibiLA Shrewd Trick.


Many years ago, gentleman, followed
by servant in livery, rode into an inn
in the West Of England, one evening a
little before dark He told the landlord
that he should be detained by business in
that part of the country for few days,
and wished TO know IL there were any
amusements going on in the town to fill
up the intervals Of time. The landlord
replied that it was their race and assize
week, aud that he would, therefore, be at
no loss to pass away the time. On the
gentleman's making answer that this was
lucky. for that he was fond ofseeing trl.
ais, the other said that very interesting
trial for robbery would come on the next
day, on which peoples opinions were
much divided the evidence being very
strong against the prisoner; but he him.
self persisted resolutely in declaring that
he was in distant part Of the country at
the time the robbery was committed.
His guest manifested considerable ankle
ty to hear the trial but, as the court
would probably be crowded, expressed
some doubt of getting place, but that,
to prevent any accident, he would him.
self go with him and speak to the sheriff.
Accordingly. they went into court the
next morning, and the gentleman was
shown to n seat on the bench. Present
y after, the trial commenced. While the
evidence was giving against him, the
prisoner remained with his eyes fixed on
the ground seemingly very much de-
pressed. Till, being called on for his de-
fense, he looked up. ard seeing the
stranger, he suddenly tainted away. This
excited some surprise, and it seemed, at
first, like trick TO gain time. AS soon
as he came to himself, on being asked by
the Judge the cause Of his behavior, he
said
"Oh. my lord, see person who can
save my life That gentleman, (point.
ing to The stranger) " can prove l am In.
nocent. might ! only have leave to put
few questions TO him. "
The eyes of the court we're now turned
on the gentleman, who said lie felt in n
very awkward situation to be called up
on, as he did not remember ever to have
seen the man before, but that he would
answer any question that was asked him.
"Well, them" said the man, "don't
you remember landing at Dover at such
time 2"
To this the gentleman answered, THAT
he had landed at Dover not long before,
but that he could not tell whether It was
on the day he mentioned, or not.
"Well, said tho prisoner, "but don't
you recollect person In a blue jacket
and trowers carried your trunk to the
inn p
TO this lie 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
remember that the person who went with
you from the packet, told you story of
his being in the service, that he thought
himself an ill-used man, and that he
showed you scar he had on ono side OF
his forehead p
DnriDg this last question, the counte
nance of the stranger underwent con
siderable change. lie said he certainly
did rccollect such circumstance and
on the mans putting his hair aside, and
showing the scar, he became sure that he
was the same person.
A buzz Of satisfaction now ran through
the court, for the day on which, accord
ing to the prisoners account, this gen.
tcman had met with him at Dover, was
the same on which he was charged with
the robbery in the remote county. The
stranger, however, could not be certain
of the time, but said that he sometimes
made n memorandum of dates in his
pocket book. and might possibly have
done so on this occasion. On turning to
his pocket book, he found n memoran-
DUN OF the time he landed from Calais,
which corresponded with the prisoners S
assertion. This being the only circum
stance necessary to prove the o''bi, the
prisoner was Immediately acquitted,
amidst applause and congratulations.
Within less than month after this,
the gentleman who came to the inn at.
tended by servant in livery. the servant
who followed him, and the prisoner who
bad been acquitted, we're all three
brought back together. to the same Jail,
for robbng the mail.