The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-04-06

Ncu W STatily III at any price.
l put Oh my boots, the only article OF attire
had discarded, and cautiously opened the door Of
my chamber and noiselessly descended therickety
staircase. A few steps brought me into the low
| er apartments, which found entirely deserted
| | crept quietly to the window, and christening
| it without athe slightest poise, was soon IN the
moonlight.
Not soul was visible; but the sound have
| mentioned grew much more distinct as L APP
| preached the place from whence it proceeded
At last found myself before long, low build
ing, through the crevces of which could per-
ceive a lurid glare issuing L stopped down ana
peeped through the key-hole, and to my surprise
] saw half-a-dozen men, with their coats OFT and
sleeves up, performing variety of strange oecu-
| pations. Some We're working at a forge, others
| were experimenting the casting of moulds, and
| some were engaged in the process of minting CON-
In moment the whole truth burst upon me-
Here was the gang of counterfeters l was in
search Of and the landlord and his wife evident
| ly 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 I suddenly felt heavy
hand placed on my shoulder, and turning my
head around, to my horror found myself in the
grasp of as Unlocking scoundrel as ever escaped
the gallows. 90.
"What are you doing here, my good fellow z"
he exclaimed, giving me q shake.
Taking stroll by moonlight" replied, en-
deavorng to retain my composure.
"Well, perhaps You will Just take stroll in
side, will you." returned the ruiiian, pushing
open the door, and dragging me i'll after him.
All the inmates of the barn Immediately stop
ped work and rushed towards us when they saw
me.
"Why, what's all this:" they exclaimed.
"a loafer L found peepin outside" said my
captor.
'He's traveller that came to the tavern last
night and asked for lodging; the last saw of
him he was safe in bed" said the landlord.
The men withdrew to corner OF the apart
ment, leaving one to keep guard over me, and
were evidently debating some important question
The man keeping guard over me said nothing,
but scowlcd tiercely. | had not said single
word during all the time | had been in the barn.
was aware that whatever might say would, in
all probability, do more harm than good, and 1t
has always been maxim OF mine to hold 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, ex-
claimed
II say, stranger, look here you must die "
did dot move a muscle or utter word
"You have found out our secret, and dead men
tell ne tales"
was silent.
1--WE will give you ten minutes to say your
prayers, and also allow you the privilege OF be-
ing shot or hung"
Suddenly an idea struck me. L remembered
something that might save my life. burst into
violent fit of laughter, in fact it was hysterica,
but they did not know it. They looked at one
another in amazement.
.'Well he takes it mighty cool, anyhow said
one.
Suppose he don't think we are in earnest"
said another
Come, stranger you had better say your pray
ers," said the man who had first spoken, "time
flies"
My only reply was fit oflaughter more violent
than the first.
"The mans mad" they exclaimed
Cor drunk" said some
''Well, boys" cried |, speaking for the first
time "this is the best joke have seen. What,
hang pal"
"a pal! you a pal?'
II amt nothing else,' was my elegant rejoin-
der
What is your name Z"
did you ever hear Of Ned Willet" replied.
You NAV be certain of that. Amt he the
head of our profession ~
''Well, then, I'm Ned"
.You Ned Wllet 7" they all exclaimed.
"You may bet your life on that" | returned,
staggering up to the corner where | had seen
the old woman counting and packing the coun-
terfeit half-dollars.
Fortune favored me- None of the men present
had ever seen Ned Willet, although his reputa'
ton was well known to them and my swagger-
ing, insolent manner had thrown them off their
guard, yet could plainly see that their doubts
were not all removed
"And you call these things well done, do your
/ asked, taking up roll of money.
"Well, all / have to say is that if yon cant do
better than this, you had better shet up shop,
that's all"
''Can you show us any better:" asked one Of
the men.
81 rather think can If 1 couldn't I'd hang
myself"
Lets see it," they all cried.
| This was my last coup, and upon which my
| life depended.
| Look here gentlemen" exclaimed, taking
one of the counterfeit haf-dollars from my pocket
that had been rejected at the bank, ''here is my
| last job, what do you think of it y
| 1t was handed from hand to hand, some saying
it was no counterfeit at all. and some saying 1t
was.
"How will you prove it counterfeit T" asked
"By weighing it with genuine one re-
piled
This plan was Immediately adopted, and its
| character proved.
perhaps he got this by accident" heard a
man whisper to another.
"Try these" l said, taking the other two out
of my pocket.
All their doubts now vanished.
Beautiful" exclaimed some. "Nery splen-
did !" said others.
When they had examined them to their salts
faction they all cordially took me by the hand,
every particle of doubt having vanished from