GETTING OUT OF IT.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 17, 9 June 1875, Page 3

GETTING OUT OF IT.

Some years ago, a celebrated highwayman was arrested for robbery ; and while lie was thinking what a small chance there was for him to escape, a cunning friend (also in trouble) offered to help him for a reward. “ I have two hundred pounds,” said the robber; “ one hundred of which, if yon save mo, shall he yours.” “ Agreed,” said the other. “ And now all yon have to do is to tell me every particular, word, &c., that passed at the time you committed the robbery ; and when you are brought to the bar, plead not guilty, and leave the rest to me. Then the highway-man related every word and circumstance that he could then recollect as having passed between the gentleman he robbed and himself. At the trial, when the robber was brought to the bar, he pleaded not guilty. Just at this time there was heard a great bustling among the prisoners, which being loud enough to disturb the Court, the usher was called to explain the disturbance ; he reported that one of the prisoners said he had something of the utmost importance to say to the judge, who immediately ordered him to the bar, and asked him why he disturbed the court. He then, assuming a piteous countenance, told the judge that, though he had been a wicked fellow, his conscience would not permit him to let an innocent man suffer for a crime that himself had committed. The fellow then addressed himself to the prosecutor, and repeated every word that had passed between them at the time he had robbed him, and had the impudence to extort him to care for the future how he swore away an innocent man’s life. The gentleman stood reproved. The real culprit was now acquitted, and the other remanded back to prison till a bill of indictment was found against him. The real criminal was faithful to his promise to his preserver, and then made off at full speed. When the supposed culprit’s trial came on, to the astonishment of the whole court, he pleaded not guilty, for which he was severely reproved by the judge, who asked him how he dared have the effrontry to deny a fact to which he had been heard to plead guilty at the bar ? To which he, with great composure, repled that he not only denied the fact, but could immediately prove his innocence, not only to the satisfaction of the judge, hut to the court; adding that he could prove an alibi at the time of the robbery. At the request of prisoner, the gaoler was then called in, and on his examining the books, he found to his small satisfaction, that this fellow was brought into prison the day before the robbery was committed. For his neglect in not examine his books, he was very nearly losing his position, for both fellows escaped.