The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-01-17

lurld glare issuing. L stopped down and
peeped through tke key-hole, and to my
extreme surprise l saw half dozen men
with their coats off and sleeves up, per-
forming variety Of strange occupations.
Some were working at forge, others
were experimenting the casting of
moulds, and some were engaged in the
process of mining coin. In moment
the whole truth burst upon me, Here
was the gang of counterfeiters I was in
search of, and the landlord and his wife
evidently belonged to the same band, for
in one corner | perceived them employed
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 l sudden
| ly felt heavy hand placed on my shoul-
der, and turning my head around, to my
horror found myself in the grasp of as
Unlocking scoundrel as ever escaped
the gallows.
"What are you doing here, my good
1fellow29 he exclaimed, giving me a
shake.
''Taking a stroll by moonlight" I re-
piled, endeavoring to retain nv compo-
sure. b 51 sf&eed 81
"Well, perhaps you will just take q
stroll inside, will you 2" returned the ruff
fan, pushing open the door, and drag
ging me after him. IN
AL the inmates of the barn Immediate
llJ stopped work and rushed towards us
when they saw me- $50.
"Wby, what's all this" they exclaim-
led.
"A lSafer I found peepin' outside, !"
said my eaptor. g stai-oo aoist'a .6k
"He's traveller that came to the tavern
last night, and asked for lodgings; the
last I saw of him he was safe in bed,"
said the landlord. a9gze 7abal
/ The men withdrew to corner of the
apartment, leaving one to keep guard
over me. l soon saw they were In ear
nest consultation, and were evidently de-
batting some important question. The
man keeping guard over me said nothing
but scowled fercely. | had not said a
single word during all the time had
been in the barn. I was aware that
whatever | might say, would, in all prob
ability, 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 of the whole came forward, and
without any introduction exclaimed -
q say, stranger, look here, you must
ldiet'' g. so'.'i5
i l did not move a muscle or say a
word.
"You have found out our secret, and
dead men tell no tales.''I sst
j Twas silent. 5ae II Tr
1--WE will give you ten minutes to. say
your prayersg and also allow you the
privilege of being shot or hung
| Suddenly an idea struck me. | re.
membered something that might save my
life, / burst into violent fit of laughter
in fact 1t was hysterical, but they did moi
know it. They looked at one another
IN amazement. ae 2ts fiissea -
aWell, he takes it mighty cool, any.
how" said one. s2-fn9 6 sas1
!, "Suppose'he don't think we are in ear.
nest. said another. be
"Come stranger. you had better say
your prayers, said the man who had frs
spoken, slime flies" ~
!, My only reply to this was fit ot
laughter more violent than the first.
"The mans mad" they exclaimed.
"Or drunk, = said some.
! "Well, boys" cried / speaking for the
first time, @This is really the best joke
. have ever seen. What, hang pal? ?"
"a pal-you pal?"
|, 81 am nothing else" was my elegant re-
joinder. 2s
"What is your name?" @ I
| "Did you ever hearlof Ned WilletY
/ replied e
"You may be certain of that. Aia
he the head of our profession p
"Well, then, I am Ned" "5di
ssYou Ned Willet?Y they all exelaim
| ed. "a s8 fl s,5l 1aE 80
HYou may bet your,life on that" / re
turned, staggering up to the corne
. where I had seen the old women count
ling and packing the counterfeit half dol
lars: 1ei1 alt y
) Fortune favored me. None OF the mel
present had ever seen Ned Willett, al
though his reputation was we'll known t.
| them, and my staggering, insolent man
ner had somewhat thrown them off thei
j guard, yet | could plainly see that thei
I doubts were not all removed. ~
"And you call these things we'll done
. do you ?" | asked, taking up the roll Q
j money. aWell, all have to say is, tina
: if you can't do better than this, you ha
$ better shut UP shop, that's all.''
D ''Can you show us any better" aske
one of them. ssifaisiaa e
Q s'I rather think / can. IF I couldn
4 I'd hang myself. le
' aLet's see 1T Y they all exclaimed
! This was my last coup, and one o
# which my life depended. ESQ.,
|, 'sLook here gentleman" | exclaimed
t taking one of the counterfeit half do
It lars that had been rejected at the banl
"here is nay last job, what do you thin
if of it 2"
VI 1t was handed from hand tc hauc
d some saying it was no counterfeit at al
r and some saying it was.
e "How will you prove it is countcl
y feit," asked one. -,
+, "By weighing it with a genuine one
le l replied. aa
l. This plan was Immediately adopte
? and its character proyed. at