The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-08-16

a dull sound, which reSembled some one
hammering in the distance. l suppose it
was the popularity of the sound which
awoke me, for it was by no means loud,
but conveyed to me the idea of some one
striking iron with mufiea hammer. L
rose from my bed and went to the window.
The moon was now in the western hori-
zon, by which fact / knew that it must
be near morning. The sound | have be-
fore referred to reached me more distinct
ly than when in the back part of the
chamber. 1t appeared to come from some
outhouses which were situated hundred
yards from the house.
Now l am naturally of an inquiring
mind, and this sound, occurring as it did
in the middle of the night, piqued my
curiosity, and l felt an irrepreSsible de-
sire to go out and discover the cause o.
it. This desire, as the sound continued,
grew upon me with such Intensity, that l
resolved to crafty it at any price.
put ON my boots, the only article of
attire [ had discarded, and cautiously
opened the door of my chamber and
noiselessiy descended the rickety STAIR
case \ few steps brought me into the
lower apart ment, which | found entirely
deserted l crept quietly to the window,
ard uufastcning it without making the
slightest noise, was soon in the moon
light.
Not soul was visible, but the sound l
have mentioned grew much more distinct
as | approached the place from whence 1t
proceeded. At last l found myself be-
fore long, low building, through the
crevices of which could perceive lur1d
glare issuing. Iszteoped down aud peep
ed through the ksf-hole, and to my ex-
treme surprise { saw half dozen men,
with their coats of and sleeves up, per-
forming Il variety Of strange occupations.
Some were working at forge, others were
superintehding the casting of moulds, and
some were engaged in the process Of min
ing coiu In j moment the whole truth
burst upon me. Here was the gang of
counterteiters | was In search of, and the
landlord and his wife evidently belonged
to the same band, for iu one corner per-
ceivcd them employed tho man polish
ing off some half dollar pieces, aud the
woman packing the flushed coin into
rolls.
l had seen enough and was about to re-
turn 10 iuS dpaIbHeut3 "heH Suuueuly
felt heavy hand placed on my shoulder,
and turning my head around to my hor-
ror found myself in the grasp of as i'll
looking "a scoundrel as ever escaped the
galiows.
"What are you doin5 here, my good
fellow :" he exclaimed giving me a shake
Taking a st:oll by moonlight" | re-
piled, endeavoring TO retain my compo-
sure.
"Well, perhaps you will just take a
stroll inside, will you % returned the ruff
fan, pushing open the door, and dragging
me III after him.
All the inmates of sde barn immediate
ly stopped work and rushed toward US
when they saw me.
"Why, what's all this % they exclaim,
cd
"a loaier I found pcepin' outside, !"
said my captor.
He's u traveller that came to the tav-
ern last night and asked for lodging the
last L saw o: him he was safe in bed ;" said
the landlord.
The men withdrew to a 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
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. | was aware that whatever
I might say would il N probability do
more harm than good, a44it has always
been maxim of mine, toIssld my tongue
when in doubt At last the discussion
seemed to be ended, for the blacklist of
the whole came forward, and without any
introduction, exclaimed,-
81 say, stranger, look here, you must
diew
1 did not move a muscle or utter a
word.
"You have found out our secret, and
dead men tell no tales
l was silent.
ave will give you ten minutes to say
your prayers, and also allow you the priv
ilege of being shot or hung"
Suddenly anidea struck me. I remem-
5ered something That might save my life.
burst into a violent fit of laus hter, in
fact it was hysterical, but they did not
know it. They looked at one another in
amazement.
"Well, he takes it mighty cool, any
how" said one.
"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.
ltTbe poan's mad - thew exclaimed