The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-12-06
resorted in numbers every Wednesday

to market. In the evening, the last
train as usual, bore its numerous pas
sengers to their homes. 1t was summer
time, and merrily they dashed along
the rugged bank of mountain-river,
winding in among the hills. But soon
the picture was changed; turning acurve
in full career, the engine left the rails,
and cutting deeply into the embank-
ment, rolled on its side, fortunately
having continued Just sufficient time in
progress to break the shock of the car
riages, There was an awful cry of la
mentation, wild medley, a hurried
scene; men and women seeking to clam
Der through the opening above the lock-
ed doors, too intent on personal safety
to think of anything else. Most were
bruised, andall werefrightened. While
messengers were dispatched to the
nearest station, others searched along
the route for the cause of the mishap.
It was soon found. The scene of the
accident was curve, and the rail near
est to the river had been forcibly re-
moved. The miscreant-for it was soon
seen that a villains hand had been there
had fortunately been ignorant of me-
chanics.
He had taken up the rail by the ra-
vine-for I have omitted to mention
that there was a steep precipice at this
point-and naturally thought that the
train with its load of human life, would
have tumbled over. The rail next to
the river was the safe one, and so the
engine simply plowed along toward the
scarp of the mountain.
When the details of this lucky escape
reached me, | felt that my reputation
was at stake. This was evidently No.
Three Of the diabolical attempts Of the
same hand. The first inquiry was made
was: Who drove the train? and one or
two questions of a similar character put
me in possession of this important fact,
that the driver of the train and thedriv
the trucks were thrown off, was one and
the same person. "Now, then for the
driver,n said L, and marched to his
lodgings. l found him quiet inoffen-
sive sort of a young fellow, not likely
man to have malignant enemy. He
was unmarried, and somewhat fresh to
his duties on the line not having been
in the position very long. We at once
touched on the subject of the accident,
but | found he was quite at sea as to the
cause.
"Have you an enemy" said l, Tor
any one who entertains any malice to-
ward you?"
No; he thought not.
"You are unmarried l believer
Yes; he was.
"Courting, perhaps?" l suggested.
He confessed to thesoft impeachment.
"Have you any objection to tell me
who the lady Isl" inquired l, for we po-
lice officers are sometimes obliged to
override delicate scruples. He mention
ed the name of Il young woman resid
ing at q farm house six miles down the
valley, and within half a mile of the
scene Of the accident, l drew a long
breath, but kept my own counsel.
ooh, so the damsel lives there, does
she? Now, has she any other sweet
hearts beside yours?''
He thought there had been one, a
carpenter; but, quoth the driver, COM
pIacentIy smoothing an incipient beard:
s'ohe has no lover now but me.n
"Whese does this carpenter live"
"About half a mile from the farm, ohe
answered.; and with that | left, fully sat
isfied now that | was on the trail.
The morning after, and at the scene of
the accident, | had found large thick
stake, cut evidently from the adjoining
wood. This had been used to prize up
the rail from the sleeper. Examining
it minuteiy, saw tha5 it had been cut
recently, and that with notched knife.
So, with this idea uppermosl, | start
ed OH the mission, and, after a pleas
ant drive, reached the littIe hamlet
where the carpenter lived. The district
was very mountainous and rugged; and
as | mounted the winding road toward
the house, / could hear the monotone
OF the river near which so narrow ala es-
cape had taken place. Wonder was the
scene. Was the criminal here. The
door was soon opened to my knock, and
by The carpenter himself q cool, self
possessed young man, Vino seemed 10
reaG my errand in n moment, vet asked
me what wanted, without the change
OF q Muscle. entered into his iittle
room, and told him had q suspicion
he conld ensi@hien me on the cause Of
tne railway accident.
No, he c0lildn't, he had heard q 4,
like the rest.
Would ae allow me 10 search hilna
Certainly; and forthwith various ar
tieIes we're IN my hand. On his person
found mo pocket knives, each Of
whiei. would have served 20 cut The
Sta,sv. Is , laansed . moment, and held
them ii nay hand, he hredi~.siv oi,serv-