Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-24
How IT WAS CLEARED UP.

ground glass which was accustomed to drop
every day so exactly at the instant the
hand of the bank clock pointed to 8, that
one might have supposed the same machi-
merry governed both.
YOU'RE Just in time, said the punctual
official.
land that only after sharp run ON
you" | answered.
The bad joke was either unnoticed or
treated with contempt. The money was
counted out in silence, the spring touched
and the sash fell.
Within half block encountered Ell
nathan Ganche, fellow clerk, fastening to
meet me.
"Mr. Gwinnett was obliged to take the
first train to B" said Elnathan, "and
couldn't wait your return. Another leaves
half an hour later, and he wishes you to
follow ON with the money
"Where will he stop III B-?'
ooh had nearly forgotten to tell you
that At-at the - House
A glance at my watch proved that I had
no time to spare. a smart walk brought
me to the depot, whence the train started
after | had taken my seat.
1t was night when | stepped from the
train at A touch on the shoulder
made me turn about quickly.
Your name is Kendall y said sharp
visaged, keen-eyed man, in a mixed tone of
question and assertion.
90 1t is" | answered.
George Kendall?"
bowed stifily, thinking the stranger
little inquisitiye.
He held up his finger and a couple of po-
licemen approached.
"You must accompany these gentlemen
and myself said the sharp-visaged man.
MAY l ask why" l returned.
% You shall learn in good time, " replied
the other g ou might find it embarrass-
ing to receive the explanation here"
A hack was called, which all four of us
entered without further parley, which L
saw was useless.
After rapid drive of several minutes
we alighted before building with bright
light over the door. The sharp-featured
man Immediately entered, followed by the
two policemen and myself.
A man in uniform took down my name,
age and such other particulars as, L sup
pose, it is usual to note on such occasions.
Next 1 was put through rigid search.
Among other effects found upon me was, of
course, the roll of bills | had drawn from
the bank.
Perhaps you can explain how you come
by these" remarked the sharp-featured
man drylY.
Certainly, 1 answered, 81 drew them
at the - Bank to-day, on my employer,
Mr.. Gwinnett's check, with which he sent
me to the bank for that purpose.
"Isn't it little singular? p continued
my questioner, " that, after getting the
money, instead of carrying it to Mr.. GwiH-
nett, you took the next train for B."
Z" Not at all" l replied quickly. 81
came with the money here at MIR. Gwin-
nett's request.
''How do you account, then, for his tel
egraphing description of you, far and
wide, and offering reward for your ar
rest?''
| was thunderstruck at this announce
ment, and my manifest confusion was in
terpreted as an additional evidence of guilt.
l was locked up over night at the sta
tion-house, and next day was taken back
as a prisoner to confront my employer, and
answer to charge of enlightenment.
l had as yet entertained no suspicion of
Elnathan Ganche. felt sure that he had
fallen into some mistake, not yet cleared
up, in communicating to me Mr.. Gwinnett's
message, and was confident that Ganche's
testimony would put everything to rights.
Judge my surprise and indignation when,
on the witness stand, the villain denied
having given me any instructions from Mr..
Gwinnett, or even having seen me after 1
left the counting house with the check.
l told my story, but 1t was heard with
incredulity The evidence of the pay-tel-
Ter, Mr.. Gwinnett and Elnathan Ganche-
every word of it true, except the infamous
suppression of a single fact by the latter
lett the examining magistrate no room for
doubt, and | was fully committed for trial.
| was not long in divining Elnathan
Ganche's motive. We had been rival suit
ors of Martha Hale, and my love had been
preferred to his. Elnathan yielded with
good grace, seemingly, and even protested
to be friend-a profession accepted the
more readily because | felt secret pity for
his disappointment.
His perfdy was now apparent. His pur
pose was to fix upon Inc the brand of a
felon, thus rendering my union with Mar
tina impossible, and opening a way to the
renewal of his own hopes. The nefarious
plot was contrived with such internal skill
that its success seemed well-nigh certain.
One evening not long before the day
fixed for the trial, when the garralons old
jailer brought in my supper, he seemed
more talkative than usual Instead of
thrusting the dishes through the cell door,
as formerly, he entered and sat down for a
chat
The conversation soon entered upon the
approaching trial, of the result of which |
spoke despondingly.
% wonder at your staying here so pa
tiently," said the iailer.
It's hardly a matter of choice, / an
swered.
"Well, a strong, active young fellow
like you might find his way out, one would
think"
There was curious twinkle in the cum
ming old eyes which attracted my atten-
ton.
I'm but old and feeble, he continued !;
"what's to hinder you, now, for instance,
from binding me hand and foot, and, after
changing clothes with me. taking these
keys and departing at leisure p
''rll do it p l cried, springing to my
feet san innocent man owes no submis-
sion to the laws injustice /"
Come. don't get excited, whined the
jailer In tone of mock alarm. "Fll not
drive you to the use of force, which it
would be useless to resist.
And to see the cheerfulness with which
he submitted to the substitution OF his gar
ments for mine, one would have supposed
it was but friendly exchange.
With strips torn from my sheet, bound
the docile keeper hand and foot, placed
him in an easy posture on the bed, gagged
his mouth comfortably, took his bunch of
KEYS and soon was a free man.