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

couple / think it has ever been my lo
to meet In answer to my inquiry a,
to whether / could have lodgings there
for the night, l noticed that the host
gave n peculiar look at his wife, and
after some whisperings was informed
in the most ungracious manner posi-.
ble, that | could have bed.
| have frequently, in the course OF
my life, been obliged to put up with
wrctched Accommodations, so / did not
lose my equanimity of temper by the
miserable fare set before me, and the
still more miserable sleeping apart
ment, into which | was ushered after
| had concluded my repast.
The chamber was of small size, and
was certainly we'll ventilated for
could see the stars peeping through
the roof The bed was simply bag
of straw thrown into one corner Of the
room, without sheets or coverings Of
any kind. This last fact, however
was not of much consequence, as it
was summer time and oppressiyely hot.
! stood more than an hour gazing
out of the opening which served for a
window. Before me was spread an
immense prairie, the limits Of which l
could not see. The tavern in which |
had taken up my abode appeared to
be isolated from all other dwellings
Save the croak Of the tree frog and the
hum of the locust not sound reached
my ear 1t was a beautiful moonlight
night so bright that | could see to
read the smallest print,
At last l began TO grow weary and
throwing myself on my pallet, / was
soon plunged in deep slumber How
long l slept I know not, but | was
awakened by a dull sound, which re-
sembled some one hammerng in the
distance. suppose it was the pecuh-
arity Of the sound which awoke me,
for it was by no means loud, but con
yeved to me the idea Of some one
striking iron with a muified hammer
l rose from my bed and went to the
window. The moon was low in the
western horizon, by which fact !
knew that it must be near morning
The sound | had before referred to,
reached me more distinctly than when
in the back part Of the chamber. 1t
appeared to come from some out
houses which were situated hundred
yards from the house.
Now am naturally of an inquiring
mind. and this sound, occurring as it
did in the middle Of the night, in such
remote ont of the way place, piqued
my curiosity, aud felt an irrepressi-
bic desire to go ont and discover the
cause Of it, The desire, as the sound
continued, grew upon me with such
intensity that IrosoNei to CRAFTY it
at amy price
put on my boots the only articles
of attire / had discarded, and eau
tiously opened the door Of my cham
Der and noiselessly descended the
rickety staircase A few steps brought
me into the lower apartment, which l
found entirely deserted. [ crept
quietly to the door, and christening it
without the slightest noise, was soon
in the moonlight.
Not soul was visible, but the sound
continued and grew more distinct as |
approached the place from whence it
proceeded At last found myself be-
fore long low building, through the
creviccs of which | could perceive n
lurid glare issuing. | stopped down
and peeped through the key hole, and
to my extreme surprise | saw half a
dozen strong looking men with their
coats off and sleeves rolled up, per-
forming a variety of strange occupa-
tons. Some were working at forge,
others were experimenting the cast
ing of moulds, and some were engaged
IN the process OF milling coin. Ia a
moment the whole truth burst upon
me. Here was the gang of counter
letters I was in search of, and the
landlord ana his wife evidently be-
longed to the same band, for in one
corner l perceived them employed, -
the man polishing of some hall dollar
pieces, Just turned out of the moulds,
while the woman was packing the
finished coin into rolls
l had seen enough and was about
to return to my apartment, when
suddenly felt heavy hand placed on
my shoulder, and turning my head
round, to my horror found myself in
the grasp of as i'll looking scoundrel
as ever escaped the gallows.