Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1866-10-19

to 60 out and discover the cause of it.
The desire, as the sound continued, grew
upon me with sutch intensity that re-
solved to CRAFTY it at any price.
l put on my boots, the only articles Of
attire l had discarded, and cautiously
opened the door of my chamber and
noiselessly descended the ricketty staircase.
A few steps brought me into the lower
apartment which l found entirely desert
ed. erept quietly to the door, and un-
fastening it without making the slightest
noise, was soon in the moonlight 4
Not soul was visible, but the sound
continued and grew moro distinct 80 ap-
preached the place from whence it proce-
ded. At last 1 found myself before long,
low building, through the cresices Of
which l could perceive lurid glare is
suing. 1 stopped down and peeped
through the key hole, and to my extreme
surprise I saw half dozen strong looking
men with their coats off and sleeves rolled
up, performing variety Of. strange occu-
pations. Some were working at forge,
others were experimenting the casting of
moulds, and some were engaged in the
process of milling coin, In moment the
whole truth burst upon me. Here was
the gang of counterfeiters was in search
of, and the landlord and his wife evidently
belonged to the same band, for in one
corner 1 perceived them employed-the
man polishing off some half dollars pieces,
just turned out of the moulds, while the
women was packing the finished coin into
rolls. 1. rs l- -5o1s ef' yai has
/ 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
a scoundrel as ever escaped the gallows.
"What are you doing here, my good
fellowl" he exclaimed, giving me shake,
"Taking a strollTby moonlight | re-
Piled, endeavoring to maintain my. pres
ence of mind. 5af ,7s
"Well, perhaps you'll take stroll in
side, will you9" returned the ruffian,
pushing open the door and dragging me
in after him. -. - rex. ,...-... .,-s
All the inmates in the barn immedi-
ately stopped work and rushed towards US
when they saw me.
"Why, what's all this ~ they exclaimed,
ga loafer 1 found peepin' outside, " said
my captor. R' '' goo i.5'
Hes 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. rs asra4 49o ana 5jLlf1al 49,
The men withdrew to corner Of the
apartment, leaving one to keep guard over
me. / soon saw they were in earnest con-
sultation, and were evidently debating
some important question. The one keep
ing guard over me said nothing, but
scowled fercely. 1 had not said a single
word during all the time l had been in
the barn. l was aware that whatever |
might say would, in all probability, do
more harm than good, and it has always
been maxim of mine, to hold my tongue
when in doubt At last the discussion
seemed to be ended, for the blackest and
dirtiest Of the whole crowd came forward
and, without any introduction, exclaimed !:
81 say, stranger, look here, you must
dep 70 '--'' 5& '''"
1 did not move muscle nor utter q
word.
"You have found out our secret, and
dead men tell no tales. !"
| was silent ID. ..9 a--
ave will give you ten minutes to say
your prayers, and also allow you the priv
ilege of being shot or hung"
Suddenly an idea struck me. remem-
bered something that might save my life.
l burst into violent fit Of laughter, in fact
it was hysterical, but they did not know
it. They looked at one another in amaze
ment-
"WelI, hetakes it mighty cool, anyhow"
said one.
"I suppose he don't think we are in
earnest" said another.
"Come, stranger, you had better say
your prayers" said the man who had first
spoken, ''time flies"
My only reply was fit of laughter
more violent than the first .4
'The mans mad" they exclaimed.
"Cr drunk" said some.
"Well, boys" cried | speaking for the
first time, "this is the best joke ever
seed. What, hang pall'"
"a pal-you palP
81 hain't nothing else" was my rejoin-
der.
"What's your name9"
"Did you ever hear of Ned Willett@
asked.
"You may be certain of that. Amt he
the head of our profession ny
"Well, then, l am Ned"
"You Ned Willett r they all exclaimed.
"You may bet your life on that" | re-
turned, staggering up to the corner where
II had seen the old woman counting and
packing the counterfeit half dollars.
Fortune favored me. None of the men
present had seen Ned Willett, although
bis reputation was well known to them,
and my staggering, insolent manner had
somewhat thrown them off their guard
vet could see that their doubts were moi
all removed.
.And you call these things well done,
do youl" l asked, taking a roll Of the
money. swell, all have to say is that
if you can't do better than this you had
better shut up shop, that's all"
"Can you show anything better" asked
one of the men.
81 rather think l can. If ! couldn't I'd
90 and hang myself"
"Lets see il" they all cried.
This was my last coup, and the one on
which 1 knew my life depended.
"Lookee here, gentlemen" l exclaimed
taking one of the counterfeit half dollar;
from my pocket which had been rejected
at the bank, "here is my last job; what dc
you think of itF'
1t was passed from hand to hand, some
saving it was not counterfeit at all, ant