Nebraska advertiser., 1865-12-01

"ahy, what's all thisl" they ex-
claimed.
"a loafer l found peepin' outside, .
said my captOr.
y He's a traveller that came 10 the tav-
elm las, nigh and asked for lodging ;'he
last saw of him he was in bed, said The
landlord.
The men withdrew 10 a corner Of the
apartment, leaving one TO keep guard
over me. l soon saw they were in ear
nest consultation, and were evidently de-
batng some important question. The
man keeping guard over me said nothing
but scowled fercely. / had not said a
single word during all the time had
been in the barn. / was aware Ihal
whatever might say would in all prob
ability, do more harm than good, aud II
has always been maxim Of mine, to
hold my tongue when in doubt. A. last
The discussion seemed to be ended, for
the blackesl Of the whole came forward,
without any introduction, exclaimed
Il say, stranger, look here, you must
die 70
did not move a muscle or utter a
word.
You have found out our secret, and
dead men tell no tails"
l 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 night save
uy life. / burst into a violent fiji Of
laughter, in fact it was hysierieal, but
Ihey cid moi know it. They looked at
at one another in amazement.
"Well, he,;akets it mighty cool, n.y.
how, said one.
Suppose he don'tthink we are in ear
nest, SAID another.
"COme, stranger, you had better say
your prayers" said the man who had
first spoken ",ime aIes,''
My only reply was fit of laughter
more violent than the first.
''The mans mad" they exclaimed.
, "Or drink" said some.
"Well, boys" +" cried /, speaking for
the first time, "lhis is the bes. joke !
have ever seen. What, hang pal z"
"A pal-You a pal 90
Il amt ncthin' else" was my elegant
rejoinder.
What is your name 60
'.Did yOa ever hear Of Ned Wille.t 81
I replied.
"You may be certain of that. Aim
he the head of our profession 2"
"Well, then LIN Ned"
"YOu Ned WllletI 2" they exclaimed
"YOu may bel your life on that"
returned, staggering up TO the corner
: where l had seen the old woman count
ing and packing the counterfeit half dol.
: lars.
Fortune favored me. None Of The
men present had ever seen Ned Wlllet;
: although his reputation was well know
TO them, and my staggering, lnsolen
l manner had somewhat thrown them Of
t their guard, yet could plainly see iha
2 their doubts wsre not al removed.
f "Aud you call these things well done
E do you 3" asked taking up roll Of lh'
J. money. "Well, all have to say is lha
d If you can't do better than this, you har
y better shut up shop, that's all"
J, Can you show US any betler 2" aske
:. one of The men.
!. Il rather think can. If cOuldn
5 I'd hang myself"
Is Lets see it, ]" they all cried.
; This was my last coup, and one o
e which my life depended.
e Look here, gentlemen, l exclaimed
b taking one of the counterfeit halfdoAlar
l. from my pocket that had been rejecie
Or at the bank, "here is my last job, VIII
d do you think Of it7"
lr Il was handed hand to- hand, some sa,
le ing il was Lo counterfeit at all and son
seying it was.
to How will you prove it is cOunte
ly felt" asked one.
r, BY weighing it with genuine one
r ! replied.
l. This plan was Immediately adopts
be and its character proved.
Perhaps be got This by accident, "
od heard a man whisper TO another.
a "Try these,"I said taking the 9th
two oui Of my pocket.
e. All their doub.s now vanished.
,s- beautiful" exclaimed some. "Ve
splendid - said others.
a When they had examined them
he their satisfaction they all cordially to
g. me BY the hand. every particle Of dOI
having vanished from iaeir minds.
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