Volcano weekly ledger. (Volcano, Amador County, Cal.) 1855-1857, 1857-01-10

head, brown curling hair black twinkling
eyes and full lips, denoted daring, impetu-
ous fun-loying disposition And it was
merely the exercise of these qualities that kept
him without the pale of our friendship.
For two years after the commencement Of
this story, the two farmers prospered on in
their legitimate pursuits Their families num-
bered five or six each, and it was the remark
of the neighborhood, how comfortably they
were getting along toward their declining
years
About this time circumstance occurred
that in itself was scarcely noticeable, and yet
was the precursor of much evil
Wolner had called on Orton, n seeming
usual and friendly call, but he did not con-
verse in the same free manner that was his
wont, he did not sit easy and his s.eyes wan
dered over the walls and ceiling of the room.
Orton saw that something more than COM
mon occupied his friends mind, and in order
to give him an opportunity to con6de to him
his trouble, if he so desired, proposed walk.
As soon as they were alone, Wolner called
held in his hand and asked him if he thought
it a good one Orton took the coin and after
examining it carefully, pronounced it genu-
inc, and then requested an explanation.
Woner carelessly answered that he had re-
ceived two of them the day before in the city,
he did not know from whom. and he, thinking
them bad, had some hesitation in passing
them off again, and yet he disliked to lose
them, and had therefore determined to consult
him before making the attempt Orton
laughed at him for his over-honesty, and de-
clared it to be as good appearing money as
any that ever came from the mint This tri-
fling incident soon passed from Orton's mind,
aud had it not been for after occurrences it
would not have been recollected
In the fall of 1S4S, about the middle of No
vember, / recollect the day WELL for our win
ter school had just commenced we were all
astonished with the wonderful news that Mr..
Woner had been arrested by the Sheriff, his
house searched, and he taken off to Jail.
The charge against him was that he was
connected with band of counterleters, and
had been passing some of their base coin. A
number of other persons, many of them men
of influence and high standing, were implica-
ted in the illicit manufacture of money.
The utmost tconsternation prevailed through
out the neighborhood, every one mistrusted
his neighbor, though there were but few who
believed Wolner guilty. AS to Mr.. Orton,
he would as soon have considered himself the
violator of the law as his hitherto conscien-
scious friend.
The legal officers kept their own counsel in
the matter, and utterly refused to tell what
they knew of the transaction, till they could
carry out their plans for securing as many of
the offenders as possible therefore it was
some days before trial was to be had, and
in the meantime no one could learn what they
could prove against the prisoners.
The anguish of Mrs. Wolner may be con-
ceived but no pen of mine can portray the
heart-sufIerings of the faithful WIFE After
the first night of her husbands incarceration
within PRISONS walls, no persuasion could
prevail on her to prolong the separation, and
leaving her children to the kind care of Mrs.
Orton, she was taken to the city, and there
permitted to join her husband in his iron-bar-
red cell
Their Imprisonment was Of short duration
however, as Mr.. OrtOn had secured counsel
for his friend, and by going his bail in large
sum, succeeded in restoring him again to lib
erty.
One night, two weeks after this, Woner
was called from his house by some strangers,
and, although the strictest search was quickly
Instituted by his friends and frantic wife, no
trace of him has ever been found Most per-
sons coming to the conclusion that his asso-
ciates fearing he would turn Estates evi-
dence," had dtreacherousy made way with him.
Mrs. Wolner bore up under her afflction
as bravely as a mother could but the worm
was gnawing at her heartstrings, and her pal
lid cheek, sunken eye and weakened voice,
betokened their speedy swapping asunder.