The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1865-11-16
Upton, IOWA, NOV. 16, 1865.

apartment, which found entirely desert.
ed. l crept quietly to the window, and
unfastened it without making the slight.
est noise, was soon in the moonlight.
Not soul was visible, but the sound
grew much more distinct as approached
the place from whence it proceeded. At
last l found myself before long, low
building, through the crevices Of which
l could perceive lurid glare issuing l
stopped down and peeped through the
keyhole, and to my extrepe surprise l
saw half dozen men, with their coats off
and sleeves up, performing a variety of
strange occupations. Some were work
ing at a forge, others we're superintend-
ing the casting of moulds, and some were
engaged in tho process Of milling coin.
In = moment the whole truth burst upon
me. Here was the gang Of couutcrfcissrs
1 was in search OF, and the landlord and
his wife evidently belonged to the same
band, for in one corner perceived them
employed, the man polishing off some
half dollar pieces, and the woman was
packing the finished coin into rolls.
l had seen enough aud was about to re.
turn to my apartment, when l suddenly
felt heavy hand placed on my shoulder,
and turning my head around, to my hor.
ror found myself in the grasp of as ILL.,
looking scoundrel as ever escaped the
galows
What are you doing here, my good
fellow" he exclaimed.
Taking a stroll by moonlight, re
piled, endeavoriug to retain my compos-
ure.
well, perhaps you will just take a
stroll inside, will your returned the ruff
ian, pushing open the door, and dragging
me in after him.
All the inmates of the barn immediate
ly stopped work and rushed toward u
when they saw me.
why, what's all .his?' they exclaimed
"A loafer l found peepin' outside, said
my captor.
Hes a traveller that came to the tav-
ern last night and asked for lodging; the
last saw Of him he was safe in bed,
said the landlord.
The men withdrew to a corner Of the
apartment, leaving one to keep guard
over me. l soon saw they were in earn.
est consultation, aud we're evidently de-
batting some important question. Tho
man keeping guard~-yer me said nothing,
} but scowled ficrcely, had not said q
single word during all the+tim ! had
heen in the -harn-I uas aNye that
whatever l might say would 10 all pr' oa
! AfF - : hop st h>>
always been q maxim Of mine, to hold
my tongue when in doubt. At last the
discussion seemed to be ended, for the
blackest of the whole came forward, and
without any introduction, exclaimed, -
Il say, stranger, look here, you must
die'
did not move muscle or utter q
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, aud also allow you the
: privilege of being shot or hung
= Suddenly an idea struck me- l re-
y membered something that might save my
o life. burst into violent fit of laugh
ter, in fact it was hystericsl, but the,
did not know it. They looked at ont
j another in amaxemedt.
e We'll, he takes it mighty cool, any
s how said one.
e Suppose he don't think We are in ear
:. nest said another.
:. Come, stranger, you had better So.
t your prayers. said the man who had frs
spoken, time flies
g My only reply was fit Of laughte
a more violent than the first.
Q The mans mad they exclaimed.
It 'Or drunk, said some.
D well, boys cried |, speaking for tn
u first time, this is the best joke | hav
,f ever seen. What, hang a pal!
t, a pal-you pail?
. L ain't nothin' else,' was my elegau
It rejoinder.
What is your name?
d Did you ever hear Of Ned Willett"
n replied.
l You may be certain Of that. Ain
y he the head of our profession?'
e We'll, then, I'm Ned
% you Ned Willett? they all exclaime
h you may bet your life on that lr
J, turned, staggering up to the corn
,e where | had seen the old woman coun,
| ing and packing the counterfeit half dc
, lars.
n Fortune favored me. None Of Il
it men present had ever seen Ned Willie.
| although his reputation was we'll know
re to them, and my staggering, insole1
Of manner had somewhat thrown them {
m their guard, yet could plainly see th
a their doubts were not all removed.
'And you call these things we'll don
,g do you?' l asked taking up roll of II
d, money. We'll, all have to say is tn
~ if YOU can't do better than this, you b,
=. better shut up shop, that's all
Of Can you show US any better? ask,
d, one of the men.
at IT rothar think T can RI I conldr