Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-13

How 60 Prove an AIibI.

Nu IlllCo west vi lulSs uN liA III VAIN ~
find a clue to the whereabouts of an abscond-
ing detaulter; and coming back to take fresh
start, found that flood had submerged the
track for several miles east of Carlisle, and that
there would be no getting away till Monday, at
the least. So made virtue OF necessity, and
telegraphing my detention and its cause TO my
family went up town.
After dinner at the hotel dropped In at the
office of the district attorney, with whom | was
well acquainted. found him arranging the de-
tails OF number of criminal cases which were
to be tiled at the court which began on the fol-
lowing day.
Anything of Importance asked rather
carelessly
zone at least" he replied, "Joe Sifer, no.
orious scoundrel, is to be tried for highway rob-
berry. The victim was dragged out of his buggy
on lonely road beaten insensible, and robbed
of thousand dollars. He identifies Slfer pos
itively as one of the ru1ians."
whats the defenscP'
81 can't imagine. didn't think there is any
in reality"
maybe he'll prove an alibi," l loosely sug-
gested. He shook his head.
"Ihey' hardly try that" he said "The facts
are too clear"
After some more unimportant conversation
with him, returned to the hotel where spent
the remainder of the day.
The next day was Sunday. | awoke quite
carly and found the promise of a beautiful
summer day so good that | dressed myself and
sailed out for a walk Nobody was stirring vet
around the hotel, and the streets were perfectly
still. walked around several squares, and re-
turned to the hotel, meeting only one person on
the way.
That person was standing in the doorway of a
basement saloon as passed | looked around
casually, saw him standing there in his shirt
sleeves His hair was tumbled, and he was
gaping, as if he had just awakened. did not
discover that he was doing anything particular
there; | thought afterward that it was quite
likely that he had been left in drunken fit on
the floor OF on the bench in the bar the night
before, and that, waking mp at this early hour,
he had taken the wrong door in seeking for his
lodgings, and had gone ont Of doors instead of
gong to bed. My look at him was merely a
side glance, but that was enough to photograph
him in my mind. 1t was thin, bilious face
perfectly smooth, with long nose much twist
ed to one side, and u red scar over the left eye,
marked it instantly as the face of a rascal.
How could do that can't explain our bust
ness teaches us to read faces as most other men
read books, and the glance | had at that face
told me that the man was a lawleSS fellow. His
actions confirmed the opinion. Sleepy as he
looked and acted, no sooner had he seen me
passing than he drove back through the door
and slammed it to.
l instantly understood him. "a scamp on
some lay or other and don't want to be seen"
was my thought. And | walked on with his
photograph in my mind, but ceased to think
anything of him or the circumstance before
reached the hotel.
The day passed, and brightand early Monday
morning took my satchel and went down to
the depot. But it was to no purpose; the office
was closed, and pacard on the wall informed
the public that the road would not be open be-
fore Tuesday.
went back TO the hotel, too much ont ofsorts
to enjoy my breakfast. | did not understand,
till the day was some hours older, that | was
needed more here at Carlisle than any where
| else, just then.
| went from the breakfast table into the read
| ing room, and after | had read an hour | heard
| one man say to another
Lets go over to the court house; they're try
| ing Joe Slifer." They went out; and remcm-
bering my little talk with the district attor-
ney, my curiosity was excited, and l followed
| them.
When entered the court room the victim of
the robbery was on the stand He was plain,
| simple, old man, and gave his evidence with an.
| parent truthfulness. He testified that he was
stopped about sunset, some months before,
while passing from Carlisle to his home, with
one thousand dollars that he had drawn that
afternoon from the bank. 1t was lonely spot
and there was not house within half mile of
| It, lie was jogging leisurely along, when light
wagon, drawn by two horses, dashed up beside
| his buggy, and three Of the four men in it
| jumped out, while the fourth held the reins.
| They were all masked. One of them seized his
| horse by the bit and stopped him, the second
Snatched the lines from his hands, and the third
climbing half into the buggy, and taking him
by the arms, demanded his money. He said he
instantly shouted as loud as he could when the
rutfian dealt him a savage blow with slung
shot, which knocked him sensclcss; 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
Joe Sliter, the prisoner at the bar. lie 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 prOsecu-
ton; none seemed necessary. The prisoners
| lawyer got up and made plausible statement
| to the jury that the complainant was mistaken
about recognizing Joe Sitter on the occasion re-
ferred to; that Slifer was not there at all, but
that he was at NOrcott, fifty miles north of Car
Isle, at the very hour of that robbery, and that
| he should prove it by at least two witnesses.
| He sat down and called out "Caleb Wye" and
| everybody leaned forward eXpectantly.
The witness came forward with a slow, limp
| ing gait leaning on q cane. He was APPARENT
" a man of middle age, and dressed in a suit of
sober black, with white choker about his neck.
His hair was silver gray, and as he mounted the
stand, and leaning on his cane, turned pacidly
to the prisoners counsel, he presented an APP
pearance which would attract attention and re-
spect anywhere.
saw him; and thought did not bctray any
surprise. | know that my heart gave tremen-
dous thump. For | saw the bilious, thin face,
crooked nose, and the Scared forehead of the
dodger whom | had seen twenty-fOur hours be-
fore in the doorway of the saloon. With this
difference, however, the hair of that man was
almost dark, while this mans was silver gray.
| edged my chair quietly up beside that OF the
district attorney, and while the man was testi-
flying managed to whisper in the others ear
without attracting the attention of the witness.
Inte tGaI fhnt h,t 1no1of -,
ready-made clothing at Norcott, and one of the
firm of Wye & Peasants; that on the day testi-
fed to as the robbery both he and his partner
were at their store at Norcott, and there was an
unusual call for goods. Joe Sljfer was then in
town; they knew him well, and had often
employed him to help lin the store. On this par
ticular day they sent for him; he came immedi-
atey; and he remained at the store, waiting on
customers, from two o'clock till eight, without
once leaving it. Mr.. Peasants was in court,
and he could testify to the same facts.
The first question of the district attorney
made the fellow start and SILVER.
care you in disguise, sir?"
"Wh-whatP stammered the man.
"Have you a silver-gray wig over your dark
harP'
but said nothing; and before he could recover
his selfpossession the district attorney had
stepped forward and removed the wig, revealing
a smooth-brushed head of dark brown hairl
| "What does this meant" he asked stenly.
"Only fancy" was the surly answer; "Tve
worn that wig for years"
"Iave you, indeed2 Did you wear it all day
yesterdayp
eyes, Sir" was the confident reply.
"WhereP
cat Norcott, to be sure"
"All day"
Certainly. l was there the whole day"
"When did you arrive here at Carlisle"
'At 7.20 this morning."
The district attorney gave me triumphant
| look; 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, aud took a
seat by the sheriff, looking decidedly more bill
lious than had yet seen him appear.
| Mr.. Peasants was now loudly called for by
| the defence, but no one came forward. The I'M
expected reception which the last witness had
met probably chilled the ardor of his confederate,
and he wisely chose to keep himself in the back
! ground. This, then, was all of the defence; and
my evidence at once blew it 10 the winds. |
| looked directly at Mr.. Wye, socalled, while /
was telling the jury when, where, and under
what circumstances had seen him the previous