The Penn's Grove record., 1895-08-02

TO QerenQ MIN.
1 knew that the reaction would BIZ
powerful, and that those who now re
viled and sneered at me would, err
long, be sounding my praise.
The trial came on. The Government
first brought forward the two men
who swore to, seeing Col. Coventry
walking by the bank at $40 o'clock on
the night of the murder. Then the evi.
dence was brought to show TINT the
Colonel, although a rich man, was Just
at that time in need Of ready money
to complete q speculation in which hs
was engaged.
The last and strongest witness was
Charles Brand, the cashier, who tes-
tilted to the description Of his assailant,
which correspondent to that Of my eli
ent, and swore In the most positive
manner that the robber had lost hi,
left arm at the elbow.
The Government attorney was a great
sportsman and betting man. So. leaning
over to him, I said: How much will
you bet that l will not prove my client's
innocence?"
20, II you are anxious to bet, I will
run up $780," he answered, though ]
dislike to bet on a sure thing"
"Tn cover your bet" I said. "You
think you have a sure thing, and so do
l, so we are safe"
and addressed the court, say
ing I had but one witness to call; that l
might bring many witnesses to prove
that 1t was Col. Coventry's invariable
custom to take a walk after his dinner,
and that he always came back by way
of the bank; also many to prove that
the Colonel could have borrowed on his
personal note, and did borrow in that
way all the money he needed for his
speculation; but the one witness whom
/ was about to call upon could and
would prove beyond a shadow of o
doubt that the Colonel was not the muir
ierer and robber.
But when I called Charles Brand the
murmur of surprise that rippled out
through the room was ludicrous. OF all
the surprised ones, none was more &c
than the cashier, 80 Unexpectedly called
upon as an infallible witness in favor
Of the mar whom he had only a few
moments before virtually condemned.
you are positive that 1t was the
right hand In which the robber held
the pistolT"
Eyes" he answered, II am positive"
"Could 1t not have been his left
hand?"
"No; his left hand was gone"
I spoke a few words to my clerk, who
went out, returning in a few moments
with a large frame covered completely
with a cloth, which I placed in front Of
the cashier.
Nov. Mr.. Brand. I wish you to look
at that without turning your head till
such a time as l tell you"
I signaled to Col. Coventry, who ad-
vanced. removed ais coat, put on the
black mask, which had been brought
to the court room, took the revolver In
his hand, his right one. and stood be-
hind the cashiers chair, pointing thu
muzzle at his head.
At a sign from me my clerk pulled
away the cloth, and displayed a large
mirror. When the cashier
the figure In the mirror he started
from his chair In surprise, but l held
him down.
Tell me-" I said, els this figure that
the robert"
Theidentical likeness" he answered
Look closer! Is there no d~ifference?"
In a few minutes he said: "oh, yes!
The figure Is holding the revolver ip
his left hand"
"Is it possible, then, that this could
have been the man who stood behind
FOUR chair In the bank 7" 1 questioned.
mo, I am sure he cannot be the same, |
low that I look closer, for this man has
ost his right hand and holds the pistol
n his left while the man at the bank
,eld the pistol In his right hand, as J
aid before"
Turn around" I said
There stood Col. Coventry, with the
mask OF, holding the pistol in his right |
land. Mr.. Brand Jumped to his feet
II see It all nowi What a fool 1 must
ave beeni The figures were Just re-
'ersed In the mirror, and the man / saw
( the bank really held the pistol In HE
eft hand"
Needless to say that my opponent paid
La bet and soon q check from Col
coventry for $4,000 was presented to
ne. OF course, I was the talk Of tn,
ity. and my reputation was made.
Was the murderer ever ~apprehended;
les. some time afterward, while trying
o negotiate some Of the bonds. He was
rrested. convicted. and hanged, after
making a full confession.-Uhca Globe