The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-10-17

cnallf 4 81 muUtNk. ana some we're thEa-ta
In Che process Of milling cola. In mo
ment lhs whole truth barsg upon me-
Here 4as the gang oi coanisrieliers | vas
in search Of, and the landlord and bis wife
evidently belonged 10 the same band, FOR
in one corner perceived them employed,
- the man polishing oil some bali dollar
pieces, just turned out Of Tie monlds,~hile
the woman was packing the finished coin
into rolls
| had seen enough and was about TO
return 10 my apartment, wiser suddenly
felt 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 galIows
'Shat are you doing here my good
fellow r he eAcliined, giving me
shake.
Taking a siroll by moonlight replied,
eudeayo-ing to maintain my presence Of
uind.
We'll, perhaps you'll take stroll in.
side, will you Z returned the rufau,push-
ing open the door and dragging me in at-
Ter him.
All the inmates in the barn Immediately
stopped work aud rushed towards Us when
they saw me.
,Why, what's all this 2 they exclaim-
ed.
"A loafer | found peepin' outside, said
my eaptor.
Hes a traveller lhal came 10 the tavern
last night and asked Tor lodging the last
| saw OF him he was safe in bed said the
landlord.
The men Withdrew to corner OF the
apartment, leaving one to keep guard over
me soon saw they We're IN earnest
consultation, and were evidently debating
some important question. The one keep
ing guard over me said nothing, but scowl
ed liercely. 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 a
maxim Of mine, to hold my tongue when
in doubt. At last the discussion seemed
TO be ended, for the blackest and dirliest
OF the whole crowd came forward ard
without any introduction exclalmede
Il say, stranger, look here, you must
diep
did not move a muscle or utter a
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 priv
iIege of being shot or hung
Suddenly an idea struck me. ] re-
membered something that might save my
life. burst into tit OF laughter. in fact
It was hystercal, but they did mol know i.
they looked at one another 10 amaze
ment.
'Well, he takes it mighty cool, anyhow,
said one.
i suppose he don't think we are in
earnest said another.
Come, stranger, you had better say
your pray ers, said the mar who had first
spokeG, time flies
My only reply was a fit Of laughter
more violent than the first.
The mans mad they exclaimed.
'Or drunk said some.
Well, boys cried !, speaking for the
6rst time, this is the best joke ] ever
seed. What hang pa" +"
"A pal-you apaI Z
i han't nothing else, was my elegant
rejoinder
What is your name 2
Did you ever hear Of Ned WillettE I /
asked.
You may be certain of that. Amt he
the head Of our profession
We'll, then, am Ned
you Ned Willelt?' they all excaim-
ed
| You may bet your life on that re-
turned, staggering up to the corner where
/ had seen the old woman counting and
packing the counterfeit half dollars.
| Fortune favored me. None oftbe men
present had seen Ned Willelt. although
/ lbs reputation was well known to them,
and my staggering, insolent manner had
somewhat thrown them of their guard yet
/ | could see that their doubts we're not all
removed.
| And you call these things well done,do
you?' ! asked, taking a roll ofthe money.
Well. all | have to FAY is that il you can't
do better than this you had better shut up
shop, that's ALL
| Can you show any thing belterT asked
one OF the men.
i rather think ran. Ii couldn't III
go and hang myself
Lets see H. they all cried
This was my last coup, and one on which
my life depended.
Lookee here gentleman | exclaimed.
taking one o( the counterfeit half dollars
from my poekel Lich bad been r'jfcted
IT The bank, here Is my hst job, and What
DO you Ihink df itf
II Va. passed from hand 10 band, some
saying il Mas rtd counterfeit az al, and
others sayin4 l!tai i nas.
How will you piose Il is counterfeit,
asked one.
by weighing il with genuine one, |
renlied.
This plan was Immediately adopted,and
its character proved.
Perhaps he goa this by accident, ]
heard = man whisper 70 another.