Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-03-16

stroll inside. will You ~ returned the ruf-
fan, pushing open the door, and dragging
me in after him.
All the inmates Of the barn Immediate
ly stopped work and rushed towards US
when they saw me.
"Why, what's all this !" they exclaim-
"A loafer found peeping. outside"
said my captor.
Hes q trayelcr that came to the tav-
ern last night and asked for lodging; ths
last saw of him he was safe in bed"
said the landlord,
The men witt Ldrew to a corner Of tho
apartment leaving one to keep guard over
me. soon say they were in earnest con-
sultation, ana over evidently some import.
ant question. The man keeping guard
over Iue said nothing. but scpEled fiercely.
had not SAID single word during all tho
time had been in the barn. l was aware
that whatever might say would probably
do more harm than good and it has always
been maxim pf ming, to bold my tongue
when in doubt. At last tho discussion
seemed to be ended, for the blackcst Of
the whole came forward, aud without any
iptroduction, excaimed,-
= say, stranger. look here. You must
die !"
did not move muscle or utter word.
"YOu have found out pur secret, and
dead men tell np tpies"
vas silent.
I'VE will give ypu tea minutes to say
your prayers. and also allow you the privi-
lege of being shot or hung"
Suddenly an idea struck me. ] remem-
bered something that might save my lifs:
| burst into violent fit Of lang ghter. in
fact it was hysterical, but they did not
know it. They lopkea at ono another il
amazement
"Well. be takes it mighty cool, any
how" said one.
"Suppose he don't think we are in earn
est, said another.
Come, stranger, you had better say
your prayers sail the nan yhe had iiirst
spQken, 'time flies"
My only reply was ftpf !aug ghter mora
violent tLan tAe first.
1.-The maps mad" they exclaimed.
"Or drunk" SAID some.
"Weii, boys" cried ], speaking for the
first time, :sthis is the brst joke ! have
ever seen. What, hang ppf?"
"A pal--you pal ;"
Il aiH't llpthin' else" vas My elegant
rejoinder.
:" What is your name ~
ibid ypu ever hear Of Ned WillettT
replied.
"ipu Wny be certain Of that Aip't
lie the head of our profession y
well, then. I'm Ned
.You Ned Willett = they Rll exclaim-
ed.
Ypy may bet your life on that re-
turned staggering up to the corner whcrp
l had seen the old woman counting aR
packing the counterfeit half dollars.
Fortune favored me. None OF the men
present had ever seen Ned Willett, althOf
his reputation was vel! known to them,
and MY staggering ipsalent manner had
somewhat thrown them otf their guard,
yet could plainly see that their doubts
were not all removed.
And YOU call these things we'll done,do
yog p asked taking up a roll Of money:
Well, all | have to say is that if you
can't dc better than this. you had better
shut mp shop, that's ALL
,Gah you shoy ps MY better ? asked
one of the mcn.
Il rather think I can. If Couldn't, IL
hang myself
lJcl stC h!rs "t FttSN:
This was my last coup, and one on winch
my life depended.
Look here. geptlemen,' exclaimed,
taking one of the counterfeit half dollars
fypm my pocket that had been rejected at
the bank, here i NY (ass job what do
1t was handed from hand to hand, some
saving it was no counterfeit at all, and
some saving it was.
How will yap prpveit as a counter
felt , asked one.
by weighing it with genuine one |
, replied.
This plap Was Immediately adopted and
! its charac,er proved.
Perhaps lie got this by accident |
p heard man whisper to another.
| Try these | said. taxing the other two
out IT my packet.
All their doubts now vanished.
Beautiful eSclaimel SONG. Very
Splendid said Others.
\ When they had cyamimed them 70 the'y
satisfaction they cordially took me by the
hand, every particle of doubt having van
ishcd from their minds. l carried oh my
rart well. SomeIquestions were oceca,s-
y ionally asked me involving some TECHNICAL:
+ tics ii the business these, however.
. avoided. by stating that Nas Oh q jour
, ney. and would rather take glass "l
$ whskcy than answer questions. The
, yLiskcy was produced and We made a
n night OF it. i, was not Nptii morning
dawncd that We separated.
f The next day returned 70 Chicago and
= brought down the necessary assistance, ,anG
. captured the whqle gang 9f c2u9tertelter'