Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-02-16

sons were speedily in custody But |
soon found that these were not my men.
1t is useless for me to expatiate on the
urerring signs by which innocence in
variably asserts itself. The Irishmen
were violent men in their cups, but most
certainly incapable of the atrocious act
of which they were accused.
Scarcely had week passed when the
whole neighborhood Was thrilled with
horror At distance of twelve miles
from the town 10 which | live there was
another town, to which our tradesmen
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 o: mountain river, wind
ing in amongst the hills. But soon the
picture was changed; turning curve
in full career, the engine left the rails,
and cutting deeply into the embankment
rolled on its side, fortunately having
continued just sufficient time in prog
ress to break the shock of the carriages.
There was an awful cry of lamentation
a wild medley, a hurried scene; men
and women seeking to Chamber through
the opening above the locked doors, too
intent on personal safety to think of
anything else Most were bruised and
all were frightened. While messengers
were dispatched to the nearest station,
others searched along the route for the
cause of the mishap. 1t was soon found.
The scene of the accident was curve,
and the rail nearest the river had been
forcibly removed. The miscreant, for
it was soon seen that villains hand
had been there-had fortunately been
ignorant of mechanics. He had taken
up the rail by the ravine-for | have
omitted to mention that there was a
steep precipice at this point-and nat
urally 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 sim
Iply plowed along toward the scrap Of
the mountain.
When the details of this lucky escape
reached me, felt that my reputation
was at stake This was evidently No. 8
of the diabolical attempts of the same
hand. The first inquiry made, was,
"Who drove the train ?" and one or two
questions of similar character put ME
in possession of this important fact that
the driver of the traiu and the driver of
the coal engine trains at the time the
trucks were thrown off was one and tie
same person. "Now then fer the driv-
err" said |, and marched to his lodg-
ings. | found him quiet, inoffensive
sor. OF a young fellow, not likely man
to have malignant enemy. He was
unmarried, and somewhat fresh to his
duties or 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 I, cor
any one who entertains malice against
you?"
i No; he thought not
You are unmarried, | believe?'
Yes he was
Occurring, perhaps ?" l suggested.
| lie confessed the soft impeachment
, "llave you any objection to tell me
who the lady is p inquired I, for we
police officers are sometimes obliged to
override delicate scruples. He men
toned the name of a young woman re-
siding at farm house six miles down
the valley, and within half mile ot the
scene of the accident. | drew a long
breath, but kept my own counsel
80, SO the damse lives there, does
she. Now, has she any sweethearts be-
sides yourself?"
He thought there had been one, a
carpenter but, quoth the driver, COM
placently smoothing an incipient beard,
"She has no lover now but me-
"Where does this carpenter live?"
"About half mile from the farm"
ehe answered and with that | left, full
ly satisfied 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 ad-
joining wood This had been used to
pry up the rail from the sleeper. Ex-
amining it minutely | saw that it had
been cut recently, and with a notched
knife.
So, with this idea uppermost | start
ed on the mission, and after pleasant
drive reached the little 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 an escape
had taken place. IoDder was the scene.
Was the criminal here? The door was
soon opened to my knock, and by the
carpenter himself, a cool, self-possessed
young man, who seemed to read my er-
rand in N oment, yet asked me what |
wanted without change of muscle. |
entered into his little room, and told
him | had suspicion he could enlight-
en- me on the cause of the railway acci-
dent.
No, he couldn't; he had heard of it,
like the rest
Would he allow me to search him?
Certainly; and forthwith various ar
ticles were in my hand. On his person
| found two pocket knives, each O
which would have served to cut the
stake. As | paused moment and held