Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-08-11

lonely spot, and there was no hous
within half mile OF it. He was joggin
leisurely along, when light WACO,
drawn by two horses, dashed up besid
the buggy, and three Of the four men j
it jumped out, while tho fourth held til
reins. They were all masked. One {
them seized his horse by the bit an
stopped him, the second snatched til
lines from his hands, and the thir
climbed half into the buggy, and, takin
him by the arms, demanded his money
He said that he instantly shouted rs lou
as he could; when the ruflian dealt hil
savage blow with a slungshot whicl
knocked him senseless and when h
came to himself again both robbcrs an,
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 droppe,
and revealed the face of Joe Slifer, tn
prisoner at the bar. He knew It'll
was perfectly positive of it-and oil tn
ingenuity Of the cross.examination coul,
not weaken or shake his evidence upol
this important point
No other witness was called for the pro
secution; none seemed necessary. The
prisoners lawyer got up and made ,
plausible statement to the jury that the
complainant was mistaken about recog
nizing Joe Slifer on the occasion referred
to; that Slifer was not there at all, but
that he was at Norcott fifty miles north
Of Carlisle, at the very hour of that rob
berry, and that he should prove it by al
least two good witnesses. He sat dowr
and called out: "Caleb Wye" and every.
body leaned forward expectantly.
The witness came forward with slow,
limping gate, leaning on cane. He was
apparently man of middle age, and was
dressed i'll n suit of sober black, with a
white choker about his neck. His hair
was silver gray; and MS he mounted the
stand. and leaning on his cane, turned
his eyes placidly to the prisoners coun-
sci, he presented an appearance that
would attract attention and respect any
where.
I saw him; and though I did not be-
tray any surprise, 1 know 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
silver gray.
I edged my chair quietly up beside
that OF the district attorney, and while
the man was testifying 1 managed to
whisper in the officers ear without at
tracing the attention of the witness.
The latter testified that he was dealer
in ready-made clothing in Norcott and
one of the firm (. f Wye & Peasants. That
on the day testified to rs the day of the
robbery, both he and his partner were at
their store at Norcott, and there was on
unusual call for goods. Joe Slifer was
then in town; they knew him well, and
had often employed him to help in the
store.
On this particular day they sent for
him; he came Immediately; and he re-
mained ut the store, waiting on GUS
toners, from two o'clock to eight, with
out once leaving it. Mr.. Peasants was
in court, and he would testify to the
same facts.
The first question of the district at
torney made the fellow start and shiver.
Are you in disguise, sir?"
Wh-what ?" stammered the man.
Have you n silver-gray wig over
your dark hair ?"
The man looked amazed and then
but said nothing; and before
he could recover his self-possession, the
district attorney had stepped forward
and removed the wig, revealing
brushed head of dark-brown
hair.
"What does this mean ?" he asked.
sternly.
"Only fancy" was the sulky an
swer. I've worn that wig for years.
Have you, indeed? Did you wear
It all day yesterday ?"
eyes, sir" was the confident re-
'ponse.
"Where?"
cat Norcott, to be sure"
"All day?'
"Certainly. I was there the whole
lay"
"When did you arrive here at Car
isle 2"
"At seven-twenty this morning."
The district attorney gave me a
wink; and when he stated to
he court that he desired this witness to
'e detained till the close of the trial, the
heriff was directed to take charge of
i'm. Mr.. Caleb Wye came down from
he stand with his wig in his hand,
nd took seat by the sheriff, looking
ecidedly more bilious than 1 had vet
cen him appear.
Mr.. Peasants was now loudly called
or by the defense; but no one came for ,
ard. The unexpected reception that ,
he last witness had met probably chilled ,
he ardor of his confederate, and he .
'isely choose to keep himself in the ]
ackground. This then was all of the ]
efense; and my evidence at once blew {
to the winds. I looked directly at Mr..
wye ESQ called), while was telling the !,
Try when, where and under what cir
I had seen him the previous
ay. and saw him tremble like an aspen
'af. The jury convicted the prisoner |
ithout leaving their seats, and the ,
itness was locked up for further con- c
deration. |
I left Carlisle the next morning, and s