The Placer herald., 1871-10-07
NUMBER 7.
PROVING AN Abba SHREWD TRICK.

hOvxNU AN A1IOI-A SHhE w IL lkl(k.
Many years ago, gentleman, followed
by servant in livery, rode into an inn in the
West Of England, one evening little before
dan. He told the landlord that he should
be detained by business in that part of the
country for few days, and wished to know
if there were any a4nusements going on in
the town to fill up the intervals Of time.
The landlord replied that it was their race
and aasizo week, and that he would there
fore be at no loss to pass away the time. On
the gentlenan's making answer that this was
lucky, for 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 very much di-
vided, the evidence being very strong against
the prisoner; but he himself persisted reso-
lutely in declaring that he was in distant
part of the country at the time the robbery
was committed. His guest manifested con-
siderable anxiety to hear the trial; but, as
tho court would probably be crowded, ex-
pressed some doubt oe getting place, but
that, to prevent any accident, he would him.
self 90 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 evidence was being
given against him, the prisoner remained
with his eyes fixed on tie floor, seemingly
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, Oh 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 questions to
him."
The eyes of the court We're now turned on
the gentleman, who said he felt in a yery
awkward situation to be called upon, as he
did not remember ever to have seen the man
before, but that he would answer any ques-
ton that was asked him.
"Well, then," said the man, "don't you
remember landing at Dover at such a time?"
To this the gentleman answered, That
he had landed at Dover not long before, but
that lie could not tell whether it was on the
day he mentioned or not
"Well," said the prisoner, "but don't
you recollect a person in blue jacket and
trowsers carried your trunk to the imp"
To this be 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, "dont you re-
member that the person who went with you
from the packet told you a story of his being
in the service, that he thought himself an
ill-used man, and that he showed you scar
he had on one side of his forehead ?"
During this last question the countenance
Of the stranger underwent considerable
change. He said he certainly did recollect
such circumstance; and ON the man putting
bis hair aside, and showing the scar, he be-
came sure that he was the same person.
A buz of satisfaction now ran through the
court. for the day on which, according to the
prisoners account, this gentleman had met
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 he sometimes
made memorandum of dates in his pocket
book, and might possibly have done SO on
this occasion. On turning to his pocket
book, he found memorandum of the time
he landed from Calais, which corresponded
with the prisoners assertion. This being
the only circumstance necessary to prove an
abb. the prisoner was Immediately acquit-
ted, amidst applause and congratulations.
Within less than month after this, the
gentleman who came to the inn attended by
a servant in livery, the servant who followed
him, and the prisoner who had been acquit-
ted, were all three brought back together, to
the same Jail, for robbing the mail.