Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-10-10

! nave frequently, 10 tne course or my lie
been obliged to put up with wretched acoommo-,
delions, so ! did rot allow my equanlmity Of
temper to be rullled by the miserable fare set be-
fore me- and the still more miserable sleeping
apartment, into which was ushered after | bad
concluded my repasa
The chamber was of small size, and was GER
tainlv well ventilated, for ! could see the stars
popping through tho roof The bed was simply
. bag Of straw thrown into one corner OF the
room, without sheets or coverings Of any kind
This last fact, however, was not Of much oonse-
qnence, as u was summer time and oppressvely
hot
stood more than on hour gazing out of the
opening which served for u window Before
me was spread an immense prairie, the limits Of
which could not see The tavern in which
had taken mp my abode appeared to be isola ted
from all other dwellings, save the croak Of the
tree frog and the hum Of the locust not a sound
reached my car, 1t was beautiful moonlight
night-so bright that could zee to road the
smallest print.
AT last began to grow weary, and throwing
myself on my pallet, | was soon plunged in
deep slumber. How long slept know not,
but was awakened by dull sound which re.
sembed some one hammering in the distance.
! suppose it was the pecularity Of the sound
which awoke me, for 1t was by no means loud
but conveyed to me the idea Of some one strlk-
ing iron with q muiled hammer rose from
my bed and went to the window. The moon
was low in the western horizon, by which fact
| knew that it must be near morning. The
sound had before referred TO reached me more
distinctly than when in the back part Of ths
chamber. 1t appeared to come from some out
buusas which were situated hundred yards
from the house.
Now am naturally Of "a nqulring mind aud
this sound, occurring as il did in tho middle of
the night, in such remote, out Of the way
place, piqued my curiosity, and felt an ire
press BE desire to 70 out and discover the cause
it, The desire, az tho sound continued, grew
upon me with such intensity that | resolved to
gTatly it at any price.
| put on my boots, the only articles of attire
| had discarded, and cautiously opened the door
Of my chamber and noiselessy descended the
rlckety staircase. few steps brought me n-
to the lower apartment, which found entirely
deserted. crept quietly to the door, and un.
fastening it without making the slightest noise,
was soon in the moonlight.
4 Not a soul WAS visible, but the sound con-
tinuod and grew more distinct as approached
the place from whence it proceeded. At last
found myself before long low building, through
the crevloes Of which could perceive lurld
glare issuing. stopped down and peeped
through the key hole, and 10 my extreme sur
| prise | saw half dozen strong looking men
with their coats oil and sleeves rolled up, per-
forming variety Of strange occupations Some
were working at forge, others were supern-
tending the casting Of mouds, and some were
engaged in the process OF milling coin. In a
moment the whole truth burst upon me. llere
was the gang Of counterfelters | was in search
oil, and the landlord and bis wife evidently be-
longed to the same band, for in one corner |
perceived them employed the man polishing
of some half dollar pieces, just turned out OF
the moulds, while the woman was packing the
finished coin into rolls
had seen enough and was about to return
10 my apartment when | suddenly lolt a heavy
hand placed on my shoulder, and to my horror
found myself IN the grasp of AS Ill looking a
scoundrel as ever escaped the gallows.
" what are you doing here my good fellow 3?
he exclaimed, giving me a shake.
Taking stroll by moonlight | replied, |
endeavorlng to maintain my presence Of mind. |
Well, perhaps you'll take a stroll inside,
will ycu returned the ruffan, pushing open
the door and dragging me in after him
All the inmates n the barn Immediately stop
ped work AMI rushed toward US when they saw
me.
"Why, what's all this2" they exclaimed.
"A loaer found peepin outside, said my
captor.
He's q traveller that came to the tavern lasl
oil az ka La I
him he was safe in bed, said the landlord.
Tho men withdrew to corner OF the apart
ment, leaving one to keep guard over me.
soon saw they were in earnest consultation, and
were evidently debating some important ques-
non. The one keeping guard over me said
nothing, but scowled hercely. | had not said a
single word during all the time had boen in
the barn. | was aware that whatever | might
say would, in all probability do more harm
than good, and it has always been a maxim of
mine, to hold my tongue when in doubt At
last the discussion seemed to be ended, for the
blacklist and drtiest of the whole crowd came
forward and without any introduction exclaim-
ed
4" say, stranger, look here, you must die "
did not move muscle nor utter word.
You have found out our secret, and dead
men tell no tales.
| was silent.
We will give you ten minutes to say your
prayers, and also allow you the privilege Of be-
ing shot or hung"
Suddenly an idea struck me. | remembered
that might save my life. burst
into ft of laughter, in fact it was hysterioal,
but they did not know il. They looked at one
another in amazsment.
g Well, he takes 1T mighty cool, anyhow"
said one.
4" suppose he don / think We are in earnest,
Iaid another.
Come, stranger, you had better say your !
prayers, said the man who had first spoken, $
. time aes." s
My only reply was ct of laughter more yio-
ent than the first
1.-The mans mad - they exclaimed.
Or drunk, said some. q
Wen, boys, cried |, speaking for the first Q
line, " this is the best joke ever seed, What '
rang palf" h
"A pal-you a pal2" !
| hain't nothing else" was my elegant re- t
oindor
What is your nsme2" 4
" Did you ever hear OF Ned Willott " i
sked
" You may be certain Of that, Ai'nt he the e
ead Of our profession =" s
"Well then, am Ned" q
"You Ned Willett they all exclaimed. 4
You may bet your life on that" returned,
wagering up to the corner where | had seen
he old woman counting and packing she coun- q
orlcit half dollars.
Fortune favored me. None Of tho men pres
mt had seen Ned Willctl, although his reputa- /
ion was well known to them, and my swagger- I
uR. insnlpnk uannar had ao,,a,,kak 4k.a.. i,