The Greene County Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 185?-1867, 1866-10-17

the stil more miserable sleeping apart
ment, into which | was ushered after
had concluded my repast,
The chamber was of small size, and
was certainly well ventilated, for could
see the stars peepng through the root.
The bed was simply a 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
oppressively hot.
stood more than an hour gazing ou,
OF the opening which served as VIM
dow. Before me was spread an mmens e
prairie, the limits Of which | could not
see. The tavern in which | had taken
up my abode appeared to be isolated
from all the otker dwellings,, save the
oroak Of the tree frog and the hum Of the
Iocust not sound reached my ear. 1t
was beautiful moonlight night--so
bright that | could see to read the small.
est print.
AT last I began 10 grow weary, and
throwing myself on my pallet, was
soon plunged IN deep s,un er' How
long | slept ] know not, but l was
awakened bya doll SOUND, winch rpaen>
bled some one hamIuerin@ in the DIS
tanco, | suppose it was the pacoIiw,iy
Of the scunfwhich aWoke ue, torJt was
by no means loud, hut eonyjyeA to ne
the ilea OF some one striking iran with
a mutlled hammer. rose from my bed
and went to the window, The moon
was low IN the western horizon by winch
fact | knew that it must be near morn.
ing. The sound have before referred
to.reached me more distinctly than when
in the back part Of the chamber, II ap.
peared to come from some OUT houses
which were situated a hundred yards
from the house.
Now, | am naturally of an lnquring
mind, and this sound, occurring as it
did in the middle Of the night, IN such
a remote, out Of the way place, piqued
my curiosity, and | tclt an irroIressible
desire to go ont and discover the cause
Of it, The desire, as the sound continued,
grew upon me with such iutensity that
| resolved to CRAFTY it at any price.
| put on my boots, the only articles Of
attire l had discarded, and cautiously
opened the door OF my chamber and
noiselessly descended the rickety star-
case. A few steps brought me tnto the
lower apartment, which | found entirely
deserted. crept quietly to Ihe door,
and unfastenrd it without making the
slightest noise, was soon 10 the moon.
shine
Not a sou' was visible, but the sound
continued and grew more distinct as |
approached the place from whsnce il
proceeded. AT last l found myself be-
fore a long< low building, through the
crevlces of which l could perceive lu
rid glare issuing, l stopped down and
peeped through the key hole, and to my
extreme surprise | saw half dozen
strong looking men with their coats off
and sleeves rolled up, performing var
iety of strange occupations. Some were
working at forge, others were super-
intending the casting of moulds, aud
some were engaged IN the process Of
milling coin. In a moment the whole
truth flashed upon me- Here was the
gang OF counterfeiters | was in search
of, and the landlord and his wife evil
den,ly belonged to the samo band, tor in
one corner perceived them employ ed
the man polishing off some half dollar
pieces, just turned out of the maulds,
.while the woman was packing the finish
ed coin into rolls.
/ had seen enough and was about to
return 10 my apartment, when | sudden
ly felt heavy hand placed on my shoul,
der, and turning my head round, to my
horror found myscfin the grasp of as i'll
looking scoundrel as ever escaped the
gallows.
'What are you doing here my good
fellow 9he exclaimed giving me q shake,
Taking a stroll by moonlight re.
piled, endeavoripg TO maintain my pres
cnce of mind.
well, perhaps you'll take a stroll in-
side, will you 2 returned the .rullian,
pushing open the door and dragging me
in after him.
All the inmates Of the barn immediate
ly stopped work and rushed towords us
when they saw me
why, what's all this 2 they cxclaim-
ed.
"a loafor I found pcepin' outside, said
I'my captor.