A young man was before the court, charged with theft. The evidence was clear and conclusive; and his lawyer had, therefore, advised him to plead guilty: to tell the truth, and throw himself upon the mercy of the judge. He was just about to commence his confession, when Bill’s attention was drawn to him. He went on to say that he had been for some time connected with a gang of thieves, and proceeded to state some of his exploits. In the course of his narrative, he said that, three weeks before, he had stolen some money and other articles from a house, and, being discovered, was pursued; but escaped, as another young man whom he passed in his flight, was apprehended in his place.
“You say,” said the judge, “that another young man was apprehended in your place”—
“Yes, sir!”—said Bill Keeler—who had watched the scene with intense interest—and who had gradually sidled through the crowd, and now stood close to the prisoner—“Yes, sir—another young man was apprehended in his place, and that’s Robert Merry, as honest as the cooper’s cow—and you sent him to jail, Mr. Judge, and he’s there now.”
“Order—order!” said the constable.
“Who is this fellow?” said the judge.
“It’s me sir,” said Bill, nothing daunted, now that he had opened his lips; and, brave as a soldier after the first fire, he went on. “It’s me, sir, Bill Keeler, of Salem. I’m a shoemaker, sir, and don’t know nothing about law in York. But, sir, if a feller’s innocent, we don’t put him in the jug, up our way.”
“Hold your tongue!” said the officer.
“I’m going to,” said Bill—“so as to have it ready!”
The prisoner went on with his confession, and all he said tended to confirm the fact, that he was the thief for whose crime I was imprisoned. Bill waited till the case was closed; he then left the court-room, and again went to the lawyer whom he had before visited. As this man had witnessed the scene at the court-room, and of course now understood the mistake by which I had been imprisoned, Bill expected to find him prepared to set about my release.
“You see, Sir,” said he, “that I was right.”