TRIAD. 193

Judge. So, you let your friend shift for himself, and
only thought of saving yourself. But did you see any
other person about the house or in the lane ?

Billy. My lord, I thought I heard somebody on the
other side of the hedge, creeping along, a little before
the window was broken, but I saw nobody.

Judge. You hear, good woman, what is alleged in
behalf of the person you have accused. Have you any
other evidence against him ?

Widow Careful. One might be sure that they would
deny it, and tell lies for one another; but I hope L am
not to be put off in that manner.

Judge. I must tell you, mistress, that you give too
much hberty to your tongue, and are guilty of as
much injustice as that of which you complain. I
should be sorry, indeed, if the young gentlemen of this
school deserved the general character of liars. You
will find among us, I hope, as just a sense of what is
right and honourable as among those who are older;
and our worthy master certainly would not permit us
to try offences in this manner, if he thought us capable
of bearing false witness in each other’s favour.

Widow Careful. 1 ask your lordship’s pardon, I did
not mean to offend; but itis a heavy loss for a poor
woman, and though I did not catch the boy in the fact,
he was the nearest when it was done.

Judge. As that 1s no more than a suspicion, and he
has the positive evidence of his schoolfellow in his
favour, 16 will be impossible to convict him, con-
sistently with the rules of justice. Have you disco-
vered any other circumstance that may poit out the
offender ?

Widow Careful. My lord, next morning Jack found
on the floor this top, which I suppose the window was
broken with. a

Judge. Hand it up—Ifere, gentlemen of the jury,
please to examine it, and see if you can discover any-
thing of its owner. -

Juryman. Here is P. R. cut upon 1b

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