Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1866-02-02
o. 2. PARIS. MAINE. FRIDAY.

Pot on my tcots. the onsy article of at
tire bad discarded. and cautiously opened
;he door Of ny chamber and noiselessly
descended the Ickstty staircase. A Es-
steps brought NE into the lo-er apartment.
~hich found entirely deserted. I ercps
quietly TO the window. and unfasienin- IL
-ithou, making the slightest noise. va.
sooa IN the moonlight
Not a soul vas visible. bat the sound
have mentioned gre- much more distinct a.
spproachcd the p'ace from whence Il pro-
cecded. Al las, found myself before A
long. lov huilting. through the cr~vices Of
Which ] could perceive a lurid glare issuing.
] s,ooped down and Peeped throash the
Key holc. and o. my extreme surprise saw
hsh doxcn men. With their coats Of and
sleeves up. performing a variety Of strange
occupations. Some ~ere working AZ a
forge. others werc experimenting the caste
ing Of moulds. ard some were engaged IN
the process Of mining coin. LA moment
The whole truth burst upon me. Here "a.
tae gang Of couutsrfciters I was IN search
Of. and the landlord and his wife evidently
belonged % th- sase band. for in one cor
nsr ! sa- them employed the man polish
iag OF some half dollar pieoe.. Ani the -o-
man was packing the finished coin into rolls.
bad seen enough and "a, about % ~
turn 20 ny apartment. when ssldenly
felt heavy hand placed on nv shoulder.
and iurning my bead arornd. % uT horror
found myself IN the grasp of A. m-ioekin-
Ascosndrri as ever escaped the gallo-s.
What are you dong here. nv good
ieilo-s~ be exclaimed giving zse shake.
A." Takiug stroll by moonlight re-
Piled. esdeasoring 70 retain my oomposure.
q" Well. perhaps yoa ~ill just take stroll
inside. AL yous- returned the ruiIiAn. push
ING open the door. and dragging me in AZ
Ter him.
All th- inmates Of the barn Immediately
stopped york and rushed to-ar4s us uhen
;bey -s- me.
Why. -hai's all ihi-' '' they exclaimed.
A !oafer found PeePia' ost.ide. % said
ny captor.
la, nighs and asked for lodging: the last I
sa- of him be Va. safe in bed. = said the
lanliord
The men withire- % corner Of the
Apartment. leaving one 70 keep guard over
ne sooh sa~ they we're IN earnest con-
sultafion. and -cre esnlensly debating some
Important question The man keeping
guard over me sad nothing. but scowled
6eroely. had not ssid a single word dur
ing al ihc time ! bad been IN the barn
~as aware that whatever ! might say would
probably DO more harm than good. and Il
has alsays been a marin Of nine. % bold
nv tongue -hen IN doubt Al last the dis
cussion seemed 70 be ended. for the black
est of the vholc esme forward. and without
any iutroiuetion. exc laimed.-
% say. stranger. look herr. yoa must
die!-
did not move q muscle OF utter a ~CrJ
lol have i0and out our seorri a1i
dead men tell no tales
~as silent
We Ill give yol ten minutes 70 say
your prayers. ard also allov yos ths priv
less of bcin- shot or hung
Suddenly en- idea struck ne. I remem-
bercd something thaf mighs save nay life
! burst iaio a violent 81 oilaugttrr. in faet.
it "a hysterieal. bot ihey DID rot kno- it
They looked st one smother IN anszsmenf.
We'll. be takes it mighty cool. an, ho~. %
said one.
o. Suppose b. dont think -e ar in earn
ct. ssld another.
'' Come. stranger. you hai better say
your prayers. ssid the nan -ho hil frst
spoken. tise fies
A. ouiy reply -ss fi q iaughier more
violent than the frst
'' TIE mans mad they ex,isimed
''Or drunk. said some.
Well. boys. cried !. speaking for the
frst time. " ths . tbe be.t ioke ! ha,e
ever .eel. What. hang pals-
A pal--you q paif
LIANT no,hin' el.e.~ ~as my eiegart
r,joinisr
What BE- your name'~
.'Did you ever hear Of Ned winett'-
replied.
..You nay be certsia of that. Amt te
ihe bad Of our pro'cssionf
Wei. then. Tm Ned
Yo1 Ned WiIeuS- they all exciaime5. J..
''Yoa nay bet yoar hie on thaf.- re-
turned. s-szgering up 90 tbe corner ~here
had seen the od voman couniing a1d
packing ths counterfeit haH dollar.
Fortane fovored me- None a The men
present lad ever seen Nsd Wilieft. aithough
IA. rssutation "a seu known b. tbsu. and