Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-04-16
A Tale Of Highway Robbery.

t,n met with:
A gentleman travelling to Hull, was
stopped late in the evening about sew
en- miles short of that town, by q sim
gle highwayman, with mask on who
robbed him of purse containing
twenty guineas. The highwayman
rode off by different road, at full
speed, and the gentleman pursued his
journey. 1t, however growing late,
and he being already much frightened
and agitated at what had passed, rode
only two miles further, and stopped at
the Bell, roadside inn, kept by Mr..
James BruDell. He went into the
kitchen to give directions about his
supper, when he related to several per-
sons present his having been robbed, to
which he added this peculiar circum
tance, that when he travelled he al.
ways gave his gold a peculiar mark,
that every guinea in lis purse he was
robbed of was so specially marked,
and that most probably the robber, by
that means, would be detected. SUI.
per being ready, he retired. He had
not long finished his repast when Mr..
Brunell came into the parlor. After
the usual inquiries of landlords of hop
ing the supper and everything to his
liking, etc, Sir" said he, II under
stand that you have been robbed not
far from here this evening
Il have, sir
And that your money was mark
ed
"It was
"A circumstance has arisen which
leads nc to think that | can point out
the robbcr,'
Indeed
Pray sir, what time in the evening
was it -
1t was just getting to be dark
"Thc time confirms my suspicious"
Mr.. Brunell then informed the gen.
tleman that he had waiter, one John
Jennings, who had of late been so
very full Of money at times, and so
very cztavagant, that he had many
words with him about it, and he had
determined to part with him on ac-
count Of his conduct being so suspi !
cious; that long before dark that day
he had sent him out to change guinea
for him, and that he had only come
back since he, the gentleman, was in
the house, saying he could get no
change, and that, Jennings being in
liquor, he had sent him to bed, resolv-
cd to discharge him in the morning
That at the time he returned him the
guinea, he Mr.. Brunell, did not think
it was the same which he had given
him to get silver for, having preceived
mark upon this which he was very
clear was not upon the other; but
that nevertheless he should have
thought no moro of the matter, as Jen-
nings had so frequently gold of his
own in his pockets, had he not after
wards heard-for he was not present
when the gentleman was in his kitchen
relating 1.-THE particulars Of the rob-
berry, and that the guineas which the
highwayman had taken were all mark
ed F; that, however, few minutes pre-
vious to his having heard this, he had
unluckily paid away the guinea which
Jennings returned him to a man who
lived some distance off and was gone,
but the circumstance struck him so
very stongly that as an honest man, he
could not refrain from giving this in
formation.
Mr.. Brunell was thanked for his at.
tcntion and public spirit. There was
the strongest reason for suspecting
Jennings, and if on searching him
any of the marked gunieas should be
found, as the gentleman could swear
10 them, there would then remain nc
doubt. 1t was then agreed to &C
softly up to his room; Jennings
was fast asleep, his pockets were search
ed, and from one of them was drawn
purse containing exactly nineteer
guineas. Suspicion now became de
monstrating, for the gentleman declar
ed them to be identically those o
which he had been robbed. Assis
ance was called, Jennings wa
awakened, dragged out of bed, an
charged with the robbery. He denie
it firmly but circumstances were to
strong to gain him belief. lie wa
secured that night, and the next da
carried before neighboring Justic
of the Peace. The gentleman an
Mr.. Brunell Disposed to the facts o
oath, and Jennings, having no proof
nothing but mere assertions OF nm
eence to oppose them, which obtain'
.l:. Lo uos oommitted To tai