Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-07-29
slightly injured; Mrs Wilbur, slightly in-
From the New York Sum-
A Den Of COllnterfcitcrs.
HOW AN ELMIRA GENTLEMAN BECOMES
A DETECTIVE.


About two weeks since the detectives
made a descent upon counter1eltefs 9en
in Mott Haven. They then thought that
they. had destroyed one OF the great
fountains from whence flow thousands of
dollars of spurious scrip which inundate
the country, and, as detectives are not at
all shy or modest, they congratulated
themselves upon their unexpected good
fortune. But this was only side-show.
The vast and boundless desert Of the far
West is better suited for this nefarious
business, and it is there that the work is
done. But the evil-doer is safe nowhere,
and although he might for time thrive
and prosper, yet his time is sure to come
sooner or later.
A PLEASANT TRAVELLING COMPANION
is species Of treasure troye. Many last
| ing friendships have first originated in
casual meetings Oh the steamboat or rail-
| way cars, hundreds Of miles from home
| Now, Mr. Merritt, an old citizen Of Ell
mira, was coming, about a week since,
| from CHEYENNE TO Omaha. He was hit-
ting alone in the cars, when young and
apparently respectable gentleman, anx-
ious, no doubt, TO relieve himself and Mr..
Merritt Of part Of the Inonotony and
dullness of the journey, approached, and
engaged him in conversation. In the
course Of an hour, the stranger winning
manners had completely gained Mr. Mer-
ritt's good will Their conversation was
at first common place. BY and by the
unknown began the narration of his his
tory 1t was romantic decidedly. lie had
sprung from nothing to wealth, riches,
opulcncc. His domains were vast, and
his onbacks-countless.
THE COUNTERFEIT $50 ELL.
"By the way, Mr.. Merritt, here is a
station where we will stop for dinner,
and I have no less change than $50 bill
Can you accommodate me :? / shall thank
you ever so much" said the stranger.
"Certainly, sir; with pleasure ans
wered Mr.. Merritt, taking out his we'll
fllebpurse and counting out $50 in gem
uine legal-tender notes of Uncle Sam.
He handed the money to the stranger,
who in turn gave him $50 bill, which
Mr.. Merritt put in his pocketbook. 1t
was counterfeit, and he knew it, but said
nothing.
They dined at the unknown's expense.
\ princely dinner it was, too. Mr.. Mer-
rift buried himself in deep thought for
some time. He taxed his brain to guess
If lie had ever seen that face before. The
voice, the manner, everything about the
man was 80 familiar to him. Mr.. Merritt
had been a merchant before he became a
farmer, and while engaged in the former
business had come in contact with all
sorts OF people.
REMEMBRANCE OF THE PAST.
lie kept on thinking and after strain
ing his memory az much as he could, a
ray Of sunshine shone on him. He
looked sharply at the gentleman, to sat
isfy himself. Yes, it was he; but the
rogue was 50 much altered that he could
just recognize him and no more. lie had
a false lnoustache, and wore wig; but,
in spite OF all these disguses, the treachcr-
Gus little grey eyes betrayed him. Ten
years before he had tried to pars.a $40
counterfeit bill upon him, but he was
caught, arrested, tried, convicted, and
sentenced to a short term Of imprson-
mcnt. Certain it was that he had not
been reformed.