The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1865-10-27


The men withdrew to corner Of
the apartment, leaving one to keep
guard over me- | soon saw they were
IN earnest consultation, and were evi-
IDENTITY debating some important ques-
ton. The one keeping guard over me
said nothing but scowled fercely |
had not said single word during all
the time | had been in the barn. ]
was aware that whatever might say
would, in all probability do more harm
than good, and it has always been
maxim of mine, to hold my tongue
when in doubt. At last the discussion
seemed to be ended, for the blacklist
and dirtiest Of the whole crowd came
forward and without any introduction
exclaimed:
Il say, stranger, look here, you
must die
l did not move muscle nor utter a
word
"You have found out our secret and
dead men tell no tales
was silent
1--WE will give you ten minutes to
say your prayers, and also allow you
the privilege of being shot or hung"
Suddenly an idea struck me re-
membered something that might save
my life. barst into u violent fit Of
laughter, in fact it was hysterical, but
they did not know it. They looked at
one another in amazement.
"Well, he cakes it mighty cool, any
how, said one.
Il suppose he don't think we are in
earnest, " said another.
Come, stranger, you had better
say your prayers, said The man who
had first spoken, Time flies"
Ny only reply was fit OF laughter
more violent than the first.
"The mans mad. they exclaimed.
"Or drunk, SAID some.
"Well boys" cried I, speaking for
the first time, "this is the best joke l
ever seed What, hang pal?"
"a pal -you pal ?"
Il hain't nothing else" was my ele
giant rejoinder
"What is your name p
Did You ever hear Of Ned Willet!"
I asked
You may be certain OF that Ai'nt
he at the head Of our profession p
"Well, then. | am Ned"
"You Ned WiIlett?" they all ex-
claimed
you may bet your life on that" l
returned, staggering up TO the corner
where l had seen the old woman
counting and packing the counterfeit
half dollars.
Fortune favored me. None of the
men present had seen Ned Willett, al
though his reputation was well known
to them, and my staggering, insolent
manner had somewhat thrown them
off their guard, yet l could see that
their doubts were not all removed.
"And You call these things well
done, do you?' l asked, taking a roll
of the money, "Well, all have to say
is that if You can't do better than this
you had better shut up shop, that's
all.
Can you show anything better 2
asked one of the men.
rather think can If I couldn't
I'd 90 and hang myself. y
Lets see it, they all cried
This was my last coup, and one on
which l knew my life depended.
"Lookee here, gentlemen" | ex-
claimed, taking one of the counterfeit
half dollars from my pocket which had
been rejected at the bank, here is my
last job, and what do you think of it 2
1t was passed from hand to hand,
saving it was not counterfeit at all,
and others saying it was.
Glow will we prove it is a counter
felt, asked one.
by Weighing it with genuine
one" l replied.
This plan was Immediately adopted,
and its character proved
perhaps he got this by accident,
l heard man whisper to another.
Try these, said |, taking the other
two out of my pocket
All their doubts now vanished.
Beautiful" exclaimed some. Very
splendid said others.
When they had examined them to
their satisfaction, they all cordially
shook me by the hand, every particle
of doubt having vanished from their
minds. carried out my part we'll.
Some questions were occasionally