Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-06-08
Proving an Abba Shrewd Trick,

MANY wears ago, gentleman, followed
by servant in livery, rode into an inn in
the West of England, one evening little
before dark. He told the landlord that
he should be detained by business in that
nart of the country for few days, and
Tished to know if there were any amuse-
ments going on in the town to fill up the
intervals Of time. The landlord replied
that il was their race and assize week. and
that he would, therefore, be at no loss to
mass away the time. On the gentleman's
making answer that this was lucky, 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 di
yided. the evidence being very strong
against the prisoner; but he himself per.
sisted resolutely in declaring that he was
| in distant part of the country at the
time the robbery was committed. Hisguest
manifested considerable anxiety to hear
| the trial; but, as the court would probably
! be crowded, expressed some doubt of get
ting place, but that, to prevent any &C
cident, he would himself go with him and
speak to the sheriff.
Accordingly, they went into court the
next morning and the gentleman was
shown TO seat on the bench. Presently
after, the trial commenced. While the ev.
idence was giving against hum, the pris.
oner remained with his eyes fixed on the
ground, seemingly very much depressed,
till, being called on for his defense, he
looked up, and seeing the stranger, he sud-
denly tainted away This excited some
surprise, and it seemed, at first, like trick
to gain time As soon as he came to him.
self, on being asked by the judge the cause
of his behavior, he said:
"Oh, my lord, see a person who can
save my life! That gentleman" {pointing
to the strangely 'can prove am innocent
might only have leave to put few CUES
tons to him"
The eyes Of the court were now turned
on the gentleman, who said he felt in
very awkward situation to be called upon,
rs he did not remember ever TO have seen
The man before, but that he would answer
bny question that was asked him.
"Well, then" said the man, don't you
remember landing at Dover al such a
ime?"
To this the gentleman answered, That
be had landed at Dover not long before,
but that he could not tell whether it was
bn the day he mentioned, or not"
well" said the prisoner, "but don't
ou recollect person in blue jacket and
rowsers carried your trunk to the inn?"
To this he answered that, of course,
ome person had carried his trunk for him,
put that he did not know what dress he
r0re
But" said the prisoner, don't you re-
nember that the person who went with
ou from the packet, told you story of
lis being in the service, that he thought
himself an illused man, and that he
howed you a scar he had on one side OF
lis foreheadY"
During this last question, the counte-
ance OF the stranger underwent a consid-
rable change He said he certainly did
ecollect such circumstance and on the
Pan putting his hair aside, and showing
ne scar, he became sure that he was the
hme person.
A buzz of satisfaction now ran through
le court, for the day on which, according
the prisoners account, this gentleman
ad met with him at Dover, was the same
which he was charged with the rob-
cry In the remote county. The stranger,
pwever, could not be certain of the time
" SAID that he sometimes made a memo
mum OF dates in his pocket-book, and
ght possibly have done SO on this occa-
pn. On turning to his pocket book, he
lnd memorandum of the time he land
from Calais, which correspondent with
prisoners assertion. This being the
y circumstance necessary to prove the
o', the prisoner was Immediately &C
ll'ed, amidst applause and congratula.
ms
Within less than month after this, the
asleiiiiin Who came to the inn attended
servant in livery, the servant who fol-
ca him, and the prisoner who had been
uitted, were all three brought back to-
nef' 10 the same Jail, for robbing the
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