Nebraska advertiser., 1865-12-01


wretched dwelling, and kept by and old
man and woman, the surliest couple,
think, it has ever been my lot to meet
In answer as to whether / could have
lodging there that night noticed the
host gave particular look at his wife,
and after some whispering, | was infor-
red IA he most ungraciOus manner pos
sible that l could have bed.
have frequently in the course of my
life been obligheo to put up with wretch
ed accommodations, so / did not allow my
equanimi,y of temper 10 be destroyed by
the miserable sleeping apartments into
which was ushered after / had finished
my repast.
The chamber was of small size, and
certainly well ventilated, for could see
the stars through the roof, The bed was
simply beg of straw thrown into one
corner of the room, without sheet or GOV
ering of any kind. This last fact, how
ever, was not of much consequence, as
il was sumner and oPPressiveIy hot.
STOOD for more than an hour gazing
out Of the opening which served for
winow. Before me was an immense
prairie, the limits of which / could not
see. The tavern in which ! had taken
up my abode appeared to be isolated from
all other dwellings,, and save the croak
of the tree-toad and the hum of the 10.
Gust, not sound reached my ear. Il
was beautiful mOUnligh night, SO bright
hat could see 20 read the smallest
print.
AL last began to grow weary, and
throwing myself on my pallet was soon
fplunged iu deep slumber. How long !
slept know not, but / was awakened
by dull sound, which resembled some
one hammering in the distance. l sup
pose il was the peculiarly of the sound
which awOke me,for 1t was by no means
loud, but conveyed to me the idea of some
one striking iron with a mufi9d hammer.
l rose from my bed and went TO the win.
dow. The moon was now in the west.
ern horizon. by which fact knew 1ha
il must be near morning. The sound
have before referred to reached me
more distinctly than when in the back
part of the chamber. II appeared to
come from some outhouses which were
} situated hundred yards from the house,
5 Now I am naturally of an inquiring
/ mind, AID this sound, occurring as it did
in the middle of the night, piqued my
curiosity, and felt an irrepressible de.
sire 10 go out and discover the cause Of
, 1t. This desire, as the sound continued
, grew upon me with such intensity, thai
| resolved to graufy it at any price.
; put on my boots, the only article ol
attire | had discarded, and cautiously
a opened the door Of my chamber and nois
2 elessly decended the rIcketry staircase
A few steps brought me into the !owel
: apartment, which found entirely de-
:. serted. l crept quietly to the window
v and christening it without making tbs
! slightest noise, was soon in the moon
+, light.
t Not a soul was visible,- but the sound
e have mentioned grew much more distinc
n as approached the place from whence
5. it proceeded. Al last found mysel
o before a long. low building, through tn
crevices Of which | could perceive lu
% rid glare issuing / stopped down an
: peeped through tie key hole, and to m
extreme surprise | saw half dozen men
with their coats of and sleeves up. per
forming a variety Of strange occupation;
+ Some were working at forge, other
/. were experimenting the casing OF mould
aud some were engaged in the process
l. Of mining coin. In moment the Who'll
ID truth burst upon me. Here was th
gang Of counlerfeileFs ! was in scare
v Of, and the landlord and his wife ev
K dentiy belonged to the same band, fl
n in one corner perceived them emplOye
e the man polishing off some half doll'
pieces and the woman was packing II
is finished coin into rolls.
le / had seen enough and was about
r. return to my apartment, when sudden
Il, felt heavy hand placed on my shoulde
ny and turning my head around, to my BIO
Iat ror found myself in the grasp OF as il
ng Iook:G a scoundril as ever escaped q
ee gallows.
as ''What are you doing here, my gO'
ity fellow 7'' he exclaimed giving me
shake.
be Taking a stroll by moonlight" T
be piled, endeavoring to retain my compc
re- ure,
"WelI, perhaps you will just take
in. stroll inside. will ayOu7" returned t
rufian, pushing open the door, and dra
rty ging me IN after him.