The record-union., 1898-08-30
Proving an AIibi.

The cleverest attorney that ever 7
heard of (said O'ConnelD was one
Checkley, Familiarity known by the
name of 'Checkley- be-d-d."
Checkley was agent once at the Corl,
Asslzes for a fellow accused of burg
Iary and aggravated assault. commit
ted at Bantry. The noted Jerry Keller
was counsel for the prisoner. against
Whom the charge was made out by the
clearest circumstantial evidence = so
clearly that it seemed quite impossi-
BILE to doubt his guilt.
When the case for the prosecution
closed, the Judge asked If there were
any witnesses for the defense.
Yes, my lord" said Jerry Keller;
I have three briefed to me-"
| Call Them said the Judge.
| Checkley Immediately hustled out of
court, and returned at once leading in
a very respectable farmer-like man,
with blue coat and gilt buttons
scratch wig, corduroy tights and gait
ers. This is a witness to character.
my lord said Checkley.
Jerry Keller (the counseD forthwith
began to examine the witness.
You know the prisoner in the dock %
said Keller.
Yes. your honor, ever since he was
a gossoon."
And what is his general character 2"
said Keller.
ooh, the d. a worse"
Why, what sort Of witness is this
you've brought?" cried Keller, passion
ately fiinging down his brief and look
ing furiously at Checkley; "he has ru-
ined us!''
He may prove an alibi, however, -
whispered Checkley; examine him as
to ahbi." Keller accordingly resume
his examination.
Where was the prisoner on the 10Th
instant?" said he.
He was near Castlemartyr," an
swered the witness.
Are you quite sure Of that?"
Quite sure, counselor
How do you know with such GER
tainty?"
Because upon that very night I was
returning from the fair and when I
got near my own house I saw the
prisoner little way on before me-
I'd swear to him anywhere. He was
lodging about, and I knew it could
be for no good end. So stepped into
the field and turned off my horse to
! grass; and while I was watching the
lad from behind the ditch I saw him
pop across the wall into my garden
and steal lot Of parsnips and carrots,
and, what 1 thought great deal worse
Of, he stole brandnew English spade
had got from my landlord, Lord
! Shannon. So. fax, cut away after
| him. I was not able to ketch him.
But next day my spade was seen, sure
| ly, in his house; and that's the same
rogue in the dock. I wish I had a
hoult Of him"
TT is quite evident" said the Judge.
that we must acquit the prisoner; the
witness has clearly esta blished an alibi
/ for him. Castlemartyr is nearly sixty
miles from Bantry and he certainly
/ is anything but a partisan Of his.
/ Then" addressing the witness, will
/ you swear information against the
prisoner for his robbery of your prop
erty?"
"Troth, I viii, my lord, with all the
pleasure in life, If your lordship thinks
can get any satisfaction out Of him
/ I'm told I can for the spade, but not
for the carrots and parsnips."
Go to the crown Office and swear In
formations, said the Judge.
The prisoner was, of course, dis
charged, the alibi having been clearly
established.
In an hours time some inquiry was
made as to whether Checkley's rural
witness had sworn informations in the
crown office. That gentleman was not
to be heard of; the prisoner had also
vanished Immediately on being dis
charged, and, Of course, resumed his
malpractice forthwith.
1t needs hardly to be told that Lord
Shannon's soi-disant tenant dealt tit
tie in fiction, and that the story of his
farm from that nobleman, and of the
spade and the vegetables, was a pleas
ant device Of Mr.. Checkley' s-Londor
Evening News.