The Van Buren press., 1871-05-23

lie was pain slnpic Oiu man, auu gave
his evidence with apparent truthfnlness
He testified that ae was stopped abOnl
sunset, some months before. passing
from Carlisle to his home with one
thousand dollars he had drawn that after
noon from the bank. TWAS lonly spot
and there was not house within hail OF
it. He was jogging leisurely along
when light wagon drawn by two horses
dashed up beside his buggy and three cl
the four men in it jumped out, while the
fourth held the rains. They were al
masked. One of them seized his horse
by the bit and stopped bin, the second
snatched the lines from his hands ane
the third climbing half into the bugg,
and taking him by the arms. demanded
his money. Ho said that he instantly
shouted as loud as he could; when the
rullian dealt him savage blow with O
slung shot which knocked him senseless
and when he came to himself again both
robbers and money were gone
He recognized only one of the four
the man that struck him. AS he drew
back to give the blow, his mask dropped.
and revealed the face Of Joe Slifer, the
prisoner at the bar. He knew it, he was
positive OF it, and all the ingenuity OF
the cross.examination could not weaken
or shake his evidence on this important
point.
No other witness was called for the
prosecution; mono seemed necessary.
The prisoners lawyer got up and made a
plausible statement to the jury that the
complainant was mistaken about recog.
nizing Joe Sliter on the occasion refer
red to; that Slifer was not there at all
but that he was at Norco,t fifty miles
north OF Carlisle, at the very hour OF
tnat robbery, and that he should prove
1t by at least two witnesses. He sat down
and called out " Caleb Wye" and every
body leand forward expectantly.
The witness came forward with slow,
limping gait, leaning on acane. He was
apparently aman Of middle age, and
dressed in suit Of sombre black, with
q white choker about his neck. His hair
was silver gray, and as he mounted the
stand, and leaning on his cane, turned
placdly to the prisoners counsel. he
presented an appearance which would at
tract attention and respect anywhere.
l saw him, and thought | did not be.
tray 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, however, the hair Of that man
was almost black, while this mans was
yer gray.
l edged my chair quietly up beside that
Of the district attorney, and while the
man was tcstitying managed to whisper
in the other ear without attracting the at
tcntion Of the witness.
The latter testified that he was dealer
in ready made clothing at Norcott, and
one OF the firm OF Wye Il Peasants.
That on the day testified to as the rob
berry, both he and his partner were at
unusual call for goods. Joe Sifer was
then in town; they knew him we'll, and
had often employed him to help in the
store On this particular day they sent
for him; he came Immediately; and re.
maned at the store. waiting on custo
mcrs, from two o'clock till eight, with
out once leaving it. Mr.. Peasants was
in court, and could testify to the same
facts.
The first question Of the district at
torncy made the fellow start and shivcr.
"Are you in disguise, sir ?"
"Wh-what p stammered the man.
"Have you silver gray wig over your
dard hairY"
The man looked amazed and then
frightened, but said nothing; and before
he could recover his self-possessiop, the
district attorney had stepped forward
and removed the wig, revealing n
smoothly brushed head Of dark brown
hair
"What hoes this mean'" he asked
sterny.
"Only fancy" was the surly answer,
+" I've worn that wig for years"
"Have you, indcedY Did you wear II
all day yesterday
"Yes sir" was tho confident response.
"Where p
"At E0rcott, TO be sure"
"All day?"
"Certainly, I was there the whole
day"
"Whcn did you arrive here at Car.
Isle ?"
"At 720 this morning"
The district attorney gave me trium.
plant wink; and when he stated to the
court that he desired this witness to be
detained till the close of the trial, the
sheriff was directed to take charge OF
him. Mr. Caleb Wye came down from
the stand with his wig in his hand, and
took a seat BY the sheriff, looking dccid-
edly more bilious than had yet seen
him appear
Mr.. Peasants was now loudly called
for by the defence; but no one came for
ward. The unexpected reception which
the last witness had met probably chilled
the adbor Of his confederate, and he
wisely chose to keep in the background.
This, then, was all Of the defense, and
my evidence at once blew it to the winds
| looked directly at Mr.. Wye ,so.called'.
when was telling the jury when, where,
and under what circumstances had seen
him the previous day, and saw him
tremble like an aspen leaf. The jury con-
victed the prisoner without leaving their
seats, and the witness was locked up for