Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-09-01
THE WRECKERS.

THE WRECKERS.
 The following story told to me in my official capacity as chaplain in one of her majesty's largest convict prisons touched me very much at the time. The narrator having been dead some years, see no harm in presenting his history to the public in as nearly as possible his own words. By way of preface may remark that the prisoner was quiet, well be haved and apparently inoffensive indi- vidual, entered in the prison books as Fl j1.
 He had evidently received fair edu- cation. At the time of telling me his story he had the greater part of a 10 years penal sentence to run, his crime being barefaced well planned bur glarv at a large ieweler's shop in the west end. His constitution was not one to withstand the severe discipline of the prison, and he lay in hospital on what turned out to be his deathbed as he made his astonishing revelations without any reservation as to secrecy. He said:
 I expect don't seem to you, sir, quite the usual cut of the long term burglar, and you would be quite right in so think ing. I never did fancy the profession, and that jewellers shop business was all a sham and an excuse to get here out of the world and safe from a worse fate at the hands of deadly enemies. Aye, sir, you may stare. Few people, imagine, are so fond of prison that they will stretch a point to get there. No, sir; my
 
 than ever transpired at my trial, and as I feel that am not likely to trouble the prison authorities very much longer might as well give you the true reason for my being i'll this place.
 I started in life as respectable mid dle class tradesman and in due time married the truest and best of women. Shortly after the birth of son my wife was stricken down with illness, to which she succumbed. My grief was such that l could not go about my ordinary duties. I sent the boy to some friends. gave up business and became a wan derer on the face of the earth.
 l drifted to Paris, and there, destitute and starving. made the acquaintance of man who was prominent member of one of the most extreme socialistic societies in the capital. He took care of me, and partly out of gratitude and partly out of sheer restlessness and a growing distaste for life agreed to join his society. I found that the principles of this secret association were even more dreadful than had supposed. It essayed to strike blow at all monarchies or con- stituted governments and the throned heads of Europe were especially marked out for its prey.
 From time to time various attempts, though hitherto unsuccessful, had been made to assasSinate some of the foreign rulers. and soon after 1 joined it hap pened that Great Britain fell under the ban of the society. At a largely attend ed meeting, secretly held in the out skirts of Paris. it was resolved that Queen Victoria and as many as possible of the high persons surrounding her throne must die. It was thought that a deadly and sweeping blow could be dealt if, while on one of its frequent journeys to or from the north, the royal train could be wrecked.
 So it was decided.
 It remained but to draw lots for the men to do the deed. By strange fatal
 SCraGGs uhe name of my friend) and Ly elf were doputPd to carry out the vengeance of the society,"
 received tho intelligence with a cal. lousness hegotten of long enduring mis- cry and want. What cared now what hefell me- lust at this time. too, learned of the wheraah bouts of my son He had entered the service of a well known Scotch nobleman in the capacity | of page and personal attendant and wa: doing well.
 Ev.I .hlS .--1v> d-J -.cl aw-Aon mo uc truc so1ao oz ny position Tho in structions of the society were clear an6 | to the point.
 The train with her majesty on board had to be destroyed in any way we l chose. Success would mean a hand some reward and high position in the society. Failure-and there were nC extenuating circumstances-mea sud den and certain death at the hands ot the society. A certain period was give1 us to bring about the desired result, ant we lost no time ill arranging our plans | Her majesty was at this time, the au | tumn, staying at her usual residence il the north of Scotland, and We found WI had some time before us ere we could hope to deal our blow on her return journey.
 Crossing to England, we made a care full survey of the railway route and de | cided upon likely spot on the system of one of the best known English rail ways by which royalty usually travels The place in question was an unusually long bridge spanning at the height of st feet broad but shallow stream. Jus before the approach to the bridge tn, line took a sharp curve, which lent itsel to our fell purpose. Our plan was t. prepare two short, handy pieces of raj faced at one end like points and the othe end curving gradually outward. Tn thin ends of the rails would be pierced for bolts of the same size as those uset to fasten (by means of a fshplate) tn ordinary rails together. We should then on the night preceding the passing of tn