Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-08-08

"'Well what will you bety ] per-
sisted.
"Ob, if you are anxious to bet, |
will lay a hundred pounds he an.
swered, though dislike to bet on a
sure thing
"Tll cover your bet. said. You
think you have sure thing, and so
do so we are safe
"This little by-play passed during
the testimony for the Grown. arose
and addressed the court, saying that
! had but one witness to call that |
might bring forward many witnesses
to prove that it was Colonel Coventry
invariable custom to take a short
walk after his dinner, and that he al
ways came back by the way of the
bank also, many to prove that the
colonel could have borrowed OH his
personal bill, and did borrow in that
way, all the money he needed for his
speculation; but that the one witness
whom was about to call upon could
and would prove beyond shadow of
a doubt that Colonel Coventry was
not the murderer and robber.
"All the courtroom was on tiptoe
of expectation for my witness, but
when | called Mr.. Charles Brand, the
murmur of surprise that rippled out
through the room was ludicrous Of
all the surprised ones none was more
so then the cashier so unexpectedly
called upon as an infallible witness in
favor of the man whom he had only
a few moments before virtually con-
demned. He came toward reluctant
ly, and stood in dazed manner while
| questioned him.
"'You are positive that it was tn e
right hand in which the robbcr held
the pistol?'
eyes he answ cred Il am posi-
tive.
"Could it not have been his left
hand?'
"No; his left hand was gone
els there no possibility of your
installing the hand?
Ono, ! am sure that it was the
right hand that was pointed at me-.
by this time every one thought
that was only trying to confuse the
witness, and there were whispered
comments on my sanity. spoke a
few words to my clerk, who went out,
returning in few moments with
large frame covered completely with
a cloth, which l placed in front of
the cashier.
"'Now, Mr.. Brand, | wish you to
look at that without turning your
head till such time as tell you
Having acceded to my wish, he
sat down, attentively studying the
black cloth in front of him.
Il signaled to Colonel Coventry,
who advanced, removed his coat, put
on the black mask, which had been
brought to the courtroom, took the
revolver in his only hand, his right
one, and stood behind the cashiers
chair, pointing the mnzzle at his head.
Every one was interested in this
dramatic scene. At sign from me
my clerk pulled away the cloth, and
displayed large glass mirror. When
The cashier saw the figure in the mir
ror he started from his chair in sur
prise, but ! held him down.
"'Tell me- said, is this figure
ike that of the robber?'
"'The identical likeness he an
'wered.
"Look closer Is there no differ
ence?'
ain few moments he said, oh,
yes The figure is holding the revolt
YER in his left hand
"At this murmur ran through
he courtroom, which l silenced with
, wave of my hand.
els it possible, then, that this
could have been the man who stood
behind your chair in the bank?' |
Questioned.
"'No, | am sure, now that | look
closer, for this man has lost his right
land, and holds the pistol in his left,
while the man at the bank held the
pistol in his right hand, as ] said be-
FORE.
"'Turn round l said. Then, as
ne did 50, What do you think now?'
For there stood Col. Coventry with
he mask off, holding the pistol in his
light hand.
Mr.. Brand jumped to his feet, ex-
Il see it all now What
fool | must have been. The figures
we're just reversed in the mirror, and
The man saw at the bank really held
he pistol in his left hand
well, | will not undertake to de-
scribe the uproar that filled the court.
They all saw it at the same time, and
he applause was deafening, as my
Silent shook my hand and left the
place a free man; while no man