The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-07-19
TWO Clever ROGUES
a. :. A. michel.


One morning a gentleman drove up
to New York hotel in a cab, a trunk
clustered all over with foreign labels
was carried in, and the gentleman fol-
lowing wrote his name on the regis
ter. Edward Cheltenham. Sheffield,
England"
had a pleasant voyageYp asked the
tlerk urbanely.
VERY. Regular mill pond trip"
"Frontl Show the gentleman to 3d."
Mr.. Cheltenham dined heartily, went
to bed, arose betimes the next morn
Ing. breakfasted and strolled out of the
hotel and down the ST T.
what building is this?e be asked Of
one who was passing before an enor-
nous structure.
criminal court"
Mr.. CheItenham stood with hest
tating look on his face for few mo-
ments, then entered and took a seat
In the courtroom. Several minor cases
were disposed OF when the case OF
stephen Dale was called Dale was
charged with burglary. He had not
been caught In tho act but running
away from the bank at the time the
robbery was committed and within a
few hundred feet OF the bank door.
The hour OF the arrest Was midnight,
and there was at the time no other
person In the immediate neighborhood,
so naturally the evidence against him,
/ though circumstantial was strong. In
deed, the Judge appeared impatient 10
dispose Of the case, which could only
be expected to result in conviction.
II was about TO be submitted to tho
jury when The prisoner. catching sight
Of Mr.. Cheltenham, seemed transport
ed with establishment and relief.
"your honor" he exclaimed. there
is man who can prove what have
claimed that when the robbery was
committed was not In this country"
"What man7"
1.-THE gentleman In the gray suit.
with sandy whiskers. ask that he be
called to the witness stand"
Whats your Manner asked the
judge OF the person designated.
Edward Cheltenham."
Take the stand"
II protest against being drawn into
this case OF which 7 know nothing
said Mr.. Cheltenham, evidently an
noyed. I'm a British citizen just over
from England on business and never
saw that man before 10 my life"
"Take the stand" repeated the
Judge.
The Brftisher obeyed, muttering some
thing about the "blarsted country
and the rights of a British citizen.
"Your residenceT asked the judge.
Sheffield. England"
"OccupationT
II am the travelling partner OF
large cutlery mandatory"
Turning to the prisoner. the judge
told him to state on what grounds be
based his claim that the stranger
could prove an aiibi
'erhe robbery was committed" said
Dale. con the Goth OF June last. Dur
ing that month l was porter at Nor
ley's hotel in Charlng Cross. London.
carried the gentleman's luggage from
his room down and out 70 cab.
remember him especially because he
gave me a very large tip half SOW
ereign"
The judge asked the witness If be
was in London and at Morley's at the
time designated
II don't know" said Mr.. Chelten-
ham. Il can't be expected to remem-
Der every place I visit / travel eight
months In the year This man is an
impostor and trying to use me"
do you keep any memoranda Of
places you visitT
"0nly an expense account
''Haye you your expense account
covering that period with your"
q have my memorandum book Of
expenses at my hotel. III 60 and get
1t II you like, but I'm sure"
"Take him to bis hotel. = said the
Judge to a constable, "get the book
and bring him and the book back"
Mr.. Cheltenham. bristling with Brit
fish indignation, was conducted to his
hotel, unlocked his trunk, took out the
memorandum book, Of which the con-
stable took charge, and the party re-
turned to the courtroom.
''Tell the jury said the Judge. IF
you have any entry made at Morley's |
hotel. London, on or about June e"
The witness, still indignant fun.
bled over the leaves OF the book and
at last stopped apparently discomfort
ed Then he said. Il do find an entry |
pertaining to the case on June q COW
erIng expenses at Morley's and He
stopped, with look OF establishment
"And whatT'
ITO porter, tip-half sovereign
Never was there greater surprise al
remarkable happening. Dale's vindi /
cation was complete The Judge gave
a lecture on the care that should be
taken in cases involving the liberty OF
life Of the people, and the jury acquit-
ted the accused without leaving their
seats. Even Mr.. Cheltenham was sof
tehsu4 AAVu&H ny uesid1tu AAdt no
such narrow escape Of an innocent
man could have occurred IN England
The prisoner was released from Gus
tody, and Mr.. Cheltenham was permit
ted to return to his hotel
An hour later an officer Of the court
under pretext OF carrying to Mr.. Chel
tenham bis witness fee, but really to
learn something Of the Britisher, went
to his hotel Mr.. Cheltenham imme
diately on his return from the court