East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1865-11-29


striking iron with mufiled hammer.
rose from my bed and went to the
window. The moon was now in. the
western horizon, by which fact i knew
that it must be near morning. The
sound L have before referred to reached
me more distinctly than when in the
back part of the chamber. 1t ap-
peared to come from some outhouses,
which were situated hundred yards
from the house. lal
Now am naturally of an inquiring
mind, and this sound, occurring as it
did in the middle of the night, piqued
my curiosity, and 1 felt an irrepressi-
BILE desire to go out and discover the
cause Of it. The desire, as the sound
continued, grew upon mo with such
intensity that / resolved to crafty it
at any price. t. .-bta
put on my boots, the only article
of attire had discarded. and cautious
ly opened the door of my chamber and
noiselessly descended the riclety stair
case. A few steps brought me into the
lower apartment, which L found en-
tirely deserted. 1 crept quietly to the
window, and unfastening it without
making the slightest noise, was soon
in the moonlight.
Nota soul was visible, but the sound
have mentioned grew much more
distinct q approached the place from
whence it proceeded. At last / found
myself before long, low building,
through the crevices Of which j could
perceive lurid glare issuing. stoop-
ed down and peeped through the key
hole, and to my extreme surprise saw
half dozen men, with their coats off
and sleeves up, performing a variety
of strange occupations. Some were
working at forge, others were super
intending the casting of moulds, and
some were engaged in the process Of
mining coin. In a moment the whole
truth burst upon me. Here was the
gang of counterfeiters / was in search
of, and the landlord and his wife evil
IDENTIFY belonged to the same band, for
in one corner 1 perceived them en-
ployed, the man polishing off some
half dollar pieces, and the woman was
packing the finished coin into rolls.
/ had seen enough and was about
to return to my apartment, when /
suddenly felt "A heavy hand pressed on
my shoulder, and turning my head
around, to my horror found myself in
the grasp of as ill-loolsing scoundrel
as ever escaped the gallows.
"What are you doing here, my
good fellow" he exclaimed giving me
u shake.
"Taking n stroll by moonlight" /
replied, endeavoring TO retain my COM
posture.
"Well, perhaps you win just take
n stroll inside, will your returned the
ruiIian, pushing open the door, and
dragging me in after linn.
All the inmates Of the barn imme-
diOteIy stopped work and rushed
toward us when they saw me.
"Why, what's all this?" they ex-
claimed.
"a loafer l found peepin' outside"
SAID my captor.
He's traveller that came to tho
tavern last night and asked for lodg-
ing; the last | saw of him Inc was safe
in bod," said tho landlord.
The men Withdrew to corner of
the apartment, leaving one to keep
guard over mo. / soon saw they were
in earnest consultation, and were evil
dontly debating some important ques-
ton. The man keeping guard over
me said nothing, but scowled fierecly.
i had not said single word during
all the time / had been in the barn.
i was aware that whatever. / might
say would in all probability do more
harm than good, and il has always
been 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, ex-
claimed, - D.
81 cay, stranger, look here, you
must die !" ttf ANt1NAt
i did not move a muscle or utter a
word. ."
"You have found out our secret,
and dead men tell no tales
/ was silent. ,1l
"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- I
remembered something that might
save my life. / burst into violent
fit of laughter, in fact it was hysteri-
cal, but they did not know it. They
looked at one another in amazement.
"Well, he takes It mighty cool, any
how" said one.
"Suppose he don't think we are in
earnest" said another.
"Cone, stranger, You had better
say your prayers" said the first speak
or, (" time fl:os."
My only reply was fit Of laughter
more violent than the first.
"Tho mans mad" they exclaimed.
"Or drunk" said some.
Well, boys" cried !, speaking for
the first time, "this is the best joke |
have ever seen. What, hang pal "
"a pal-you pal p
"I amt nothin' else" was my ele-
giant rejoinder.
What's your name?"
"Did you ever hear of Ned Will
lett?' / replied.
You may be certain Of that. Amt
he the head of our profession ?"
=" Well, then, I'm Ned"
You Ned Willettp" they all OK
claimed at once. Da
"You may bet your life on that" l
returned, staggering up TO the corner
whore i had seen the old woman count
ing and packing tho counterfeit half
dollars.
Fortune favored me. None of the
mon present had ever seen Ned Will