The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-04-04
AN EXTRAORDINARY TRIAL.


MANY years ago, a gentleman, follow
IVl ed by servant in livery, rode into
an inn in the West of England, one eve
ming little before dusk. He told the land
lord that he should be detained by business
in that part of the country for a few days,
and wished to know if 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, and
that he would, therefore, be at no loss to
pass away the time. On the gentlemans
making answer that this was luck, for that
he was fond of seeing trials, 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 pris-
oner; but he himself persisting resolutely
in declaring that he was in distant part of
the kingdom at the time the robbery was
committed. His guest manifested consid-
cradle anxiety to hear the trial but, as the
court would probably be crowded, express
ed some doubt of getting a place. The
landlord told him that there could be no
difficulty in a gentleman of his appearance
getting place; but that to prevent any
accident, he would himself go with him
and speak to one Of the beadles.
Accordingly, they went into court the
next morning, and the gentleman was shown
to seat on the bench. Presently after,
the trial began. While the evidence was
giving against him, tho prisoner remained
with his eyes fixed on the ground, SEEM
ingly very much depressed ; till being called
on for his defence, he looked up, and 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" pointing to
the stranger) "can prove am innocent,
might / only have leave to put few ques-
tions to him."
The eyes of the court were now turned
on the gentleman, who said he felt in
very awkward situation to be so called
upon, as he did not remember ever to have
seen the man before, but that he would an
swer any question that was asked him.
"Well, then," said the man, "don't you
remember landing at Dover, at such
time?' To this the gentleman answered,
"that he had landed at Dover not long be-
fore, but that he could not tell whether it
was on the day he mentioned, or not''
"Well," said the prisoner, "but don't
you recollect that person in blue Jacket
and trousers carried your trunk to the
inn?" To this he 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 show
ed you scar he had on one side of his
forehead ~ During the last question, the
countenance of the stranger underwent a
considerable change he said he certainly
did recollect such a circumstance and OH
the mans putting his hair aside, and show
ing the scar, he became quite sure that he
was the same person. @ h.2 Ii lr
A buzz of satisfaction now ran through
the court for the day on which according
to the prisoners account this gentleman
had met with him at Dover, was the Same
on which he was charged with the robbery
in remote county The stranger, how
ever, could not be certain of the time, but
said that he sometimes made memoran-
dunn Of dates in his pocket-book, and might
possibly have done so on this occasion. On
turning to his pocket-book, he found a
memorandum of the time he landed from
Calais which coTresponded with the pris-
oner's assertion. This being the only cir
cumstance necessary to prove the ali6i the
prisoner was Immediately acquitted, amid
applause and congratulations. tW mdW
Within less than month after this the
gentleman who came to the inn, attended
by a servant in livery, the servant who fol-
lowed him, and the prisoner who had been
acquitted, were all three brought back to-
gether to the same goal, for fobbing the
mail. WOW 'i l pi 1fAN W." 7f
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3 CS- The other day, while a teacher was
hearing boy recite his lesson, the follow
ing passage occurred, "The wages of sin
is death" The teacher, wishing to get
the word wages out by deduction, asked,