Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1866-07-27

I through the keyhOle, and to my extreme
surprise saw half a dozen strong looking
men with their coats off and sleeves roll
ed mp, performing a variety Of strange
I occupations. Some were working at a
forge, others we're superiutending the
casting of mOulds, and some we're engag-
ed IN milling coin. In a moment the
whole truth burst upon me. Here was
! the gang of cOunterfeiters [ was in search
I of, aud the landlord and his wife evident
/ ly belonged to the same band, for In one
I corner l perceived them emplOyed-the
man polishing off some half dollar pieces
| just turned out Of the moulds, while the
! woman, was packing the finished coin
/ into rolls.
I had seen enough, and was about to
return TO my apartment, when I suddenly
/ felt heavy hand placed on my shoulder,
and turning my head round, to my horror
/ found myself in the grasp Of as ill-Iook-
ing a scoundrel as ever escaped the
galloWs.
What are you doing here, my good
/ fellOW2" he exclaimed, giving me a shake
/ Taking a stroll by moonlight" I re-
piled, endeayoring to maintain my pres
Well, perhaps you'll take stroll in
side, viii you 2" returned the rufian,
pushing open the door aud dragging me
| in after him.
All the inmates of the barn Immediate
ly stopped work and rushed toward US
when they saw US.
Why, what is all this2" they exclaimed.
"A lOafer 1 found peepin' outside,
said my captor.
Hes traveller that came to the tavern
last night and asked for lodging; the last
l saw Of him be was safe In bed, said
the landlord
The men withdrew to corner of the
apartment, leaving one to keep guard
over me. soon saw they were in earn
est consultation, and were evidently de-
batting some important question. The
one keeping guard over me said nothing,
but seOWled hereely. had not said a
single word during all the time I had
been in the barn. [ was aware that
whatever l might say would, in all prob
ability do more harm than good, and It
has always been a maxim of mine to hold
my tongue when In doubt. At last the
discussion seemed to be ended, for the
blackest and dir!iest of the whole crowd
came forward, and without any introduc-
ton, exclaimed:
diel'
I did not move. a muscle nor utter a
word.
You have found out our secret, and
dead men tell no tales"
was silent.
We will give you ten minutes to say
your prayers, and also allow you the priv
ilege of being shot or hung"
Suddenly thought struck me. I re-
mem bered something which might cave
my life. | burst into a violent fit of
laughter; in fact it was hysterical, but
one another In amazement
We'll, he takes it mighty cool, any
how, said one.
II suppose he don't think we are in
earnest, said another.
Come, stranger, you had better be
saying your prayers, said the man who
had first spoken, time flies"
My only reply was a fit Of laughter
more violent than the first
''Fhe mans mad +" they exclaimed.
"Or drunk, said some.
Well, boys, said /, speaking for the
first time, this is the best joke [ ever
seed. What, hang pal?"
A pal-you pal?''
II hain't nothin' else" was my elegant
rejoinder..
What is your manner"
asked.
You may be certain of that. Amt
he the head of our profession?"
well, then. I'm Ned
GU Ned Willett?' they all exclaimed |
I 0u may bet your life on that" [ re-
turned, staggering to the corner where I |
had seen the old woman counting and
packing the coUnterfeit half dollars
Fortune favored me. None of the men
present had ever seen Ned Willett, though |
his reputation was well known to them !
and my staggering, insolent manner had !
somewhat thrown them off their guard. |
vet l could see that their doubts were not |
all removed
And you call these things well done, |
do you?' I asked, taking a roll of the /!
money. Well, all have to say is that |
if you can't do any better than this, you
had better shut up shop; that's ALL
Can you show anything better" asked |
one of the men,
Il rather think I can. IF I couldn't !
I'd go and hang myself"
Lets see it, - they all cried.
This was my last coup, and the one on
which my life depended.
Lookee here, gentlemen, exclaimed, !
taking one Of the counterfeit half dollars |
from my pocket which had been rejected |
at the bank, here is my last job, what do |
you think of it?"
It was passed from hand to hand, some
saying 1t was not counterfeit at all, and
others saying it was.
How will you prove it is counterfeit?"
asked one
BY weighing it with a genuine one, [ (
replied.
This plan was Immediately adopted and /
its character proved.
Perhaps he got this by accident" I 4
heard one man whisper to another.
Try these, said 1, taking the other
two out of my pocket
All their doubts now vanished
Beautiful 7, exclaimed some. Very !
splendid, said others.
W hen they had examined them to /
their satisfaction, they all cordially shook /
me by the hand, every particle of doubt |
having vanished from their minds I
carried out my part well. Some questions /
were occasionally asked me involving /
some OF the teehnicalities of the business;
these, however, l avoided by stating that
was on a journey of pleasure, and would /.
rather take a glass of whisky than an
sWer questions. The whisky was pro- 1
duced, and we made a night Of it. It'll
was not until morning had daWned that
we separated.
The next day returned to Chicago and |
brought down the necessary assistance,
and captured the whole gang of counter /
letters In the very act. The den was bro
ken up forever, and most of them were
condemned to serve a term in the State |
Prison
l have those couuterfeit half dollars /
still IN my possession, and intend never 1
to part with them, for they were certain
ly the means of saving my life.
Ambrose A. Butts. of Auburn. Ohio