Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-12-19
The STORY Teller.
The WRECKER'S REVENGE.

In the '60s many parts OF Australia,
even near to the towns, were in a very
wild state. Railways had not long
been established there, and as they
were mostly used for conveying the
gold from the mines and the men who
had made their piles to the nearest
large towns, it is not to be wondered
at that many attempts were made by
wild characters to wreck the trains.
1t got to be altogether too common
a thing on our line for these despera-
does to put sleepers across the track
and tear up the rails to throw the
train off, and some of the Williams who
were caught got pretty severe SEN
tences.
1t so happened that in an especially
noteworthy case it was my evidence
chiefly that convicted two of the most
precious rascals that ever lived-Tom
Jackson and Jack Parker by name.
They were sent to prison for Is
years, and I was glad to serve as an
thumble instrument" in the case ;
though sometimes did feel rather un-
easy when I'd repeat to myself the
last words Parker said as he was taken
out of court:
"As for you, Joe Townsend" and
he shook his fist significantly in my
direction, "all this comes of the cow
ardly lies you've sworn to; and l
want you to understand that Tom
Jackson and me amt the men to stay
in prison for Is years. We're goin' to
git out, and you may depend upon it
we'll be keerful to pay our respects to
you. We've invented a new kind of
sleeper to throw trains off the track
with, eh, Tom ?"
He leered horribly to his crony, as
they passed through the door, and as
the prisons in those days were not 80
difficult to get out of as they are now,
I could not, as I have said, help feel
ing trihe nervous when recalled
Parker's threat.
turned the words over in my mind
good many times during the next
two years. Somehow or other they
stuck by me:
"We've invented a new kind of
sleeper to throw train off the track. ="
I felt as though he meant something
unusual by that, although 1 could not
make out what.
My house, where my wife and chill
dren lived, was about three-quarters
of mile below the station, and quite
near the track.
At 1890 I was at liberty for the
night, and it didn't take me long to
shut up the station and start off down
the road for home; and a lonely
enough tramp it was.
Well, the night I am going to tell
you about was as black as the inside
of tunnel.
When I started down the track, I
almost wished I'd gone around by the
highway, for I had to feel my way
half the time.
However, knew the path tolerable
we'll, and could tell where all the cul-
verts and dangerous places were,
pretty nearly.
So held up my lantern like the
headlight of a locomotive and stum-
bled along, making pretty good time,
on the whole.
I must have been about halfway
home, when all at once, without the
slightest idea On my part that any
human being was within half mile
of me, I felt pair of arms clasped
around my waist with strength it
was impossible to overcome.
Then I was thrown down, the light
from a more powerful lantern than
mine (Which had fallen from my hand
and become extinguished) flashed
about me, and by it's glare saw three
powerful fellows, who, in spite of my
struggles, proceeded to tie my hands
firmly behind me.
Idid not recognize them at all till,
at length, as I lay there on my back,
entirely helpless, one of them snatched
the lantern from his companion and
held it near me, while he brought his
face close to mine.
"Well, Joe Townsend" he said, "do
you know me?"
ayes, I know you, Jack Parker" I
answered, as coolly as could.
II thought as how mebbe we would.
1 didn't mean to stay in prison long.
I've ben thinkin' bout you, Joe, most
all the time while I was there gittin'
up my muscle breakin' stone. And
here's anuther feller you might reco-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., he hain't forgot
ten you, eh, Tom ?"
And 1 now recognized Tom Jack
son, the other prisoner of two years
before.
The third man I had never seen.
"This place'll do as we'll as any, /
s'pose," Parker went on, presently.
"What's the time, Jem ?"
Jem consulted his watch, and pro-
nounced it to be about II.
Gall right; he'll have jist about so
minutes to think things over and re-
pent having lied about two such ex-
emplary gentlemen as Tom Jackson
and myself-eh, Tom ?"
And Tom chuckleC approvingly.
uNow oft ont all of them rOpes. "