Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-07-21
SIigabsts 2ailg aaonttor,
PUBLISHED AT 155 BROAD STREET, BY
J. MADISON DRAKE.
A DEN or CoUTFRFETrERs.

made descent upon cOuuJerIelbeIS
den in Mott Haven. They then thought
they had destroyed one of the great
fountains from whence flow the thou
sands of dollars Of spurious scrip which
inundate the country, and, as detectives
are not at all shy or modest, they con-
graduated themselves upon their unex-
pected good fortune. But this was only
a 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 a species of treasure troye Many
lasting friendship have first originated
in casual meetings on the steamboat or
railway car, hundreds of miles from
home Now, Mr.. Merritt, an old citi-
zen of Elmira, was coming, about a
week since, from Cheyenne to Omaha.
He was sitting alone in the cars, when
a young and apparently respectable
gentleman, anxious, no doubt, to re-
lieve himself and Mr.. Merritt of part of
the monotony and dullness of the jour
ney, approached and engaged him in
conversation. In the course of an
hour the strangers winning manners
had completely gained Mr.. Merritt's
good will Their conversation was at
first commonplace. By-and-by the
unknown began the narration of his
history. It was romantic decidedly.
He had sprung from nothing to wealth,
riches, opulence His domains were
vast, and his greenbacks--countless.
THE COUNTERFEIT $50 BILL.
"By the way, Mr.. Merritt, here is q
station where we will stop to dinner,
and I have no less change than a $50
bill. Can you accommodate me? I
shall thank You ever SO much, " said the
stranger.
Certainly, sir, with pleasure" an
swered Mr.. Merritt. taking out his we'll
filled purse and counting out $50 in le'
gal tender notes of Uncle Sam. He
handed the money to the stranger, who
in turn gave him q $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.
And princely dinner it was, too.
Mr. Merritt buried himself in deep
thought for some time. He taxed his
brain to guess if he had ever seen that
face before. The voice, the manner, ev-
erything about the man was SO familiar
to him. Mr.. Merritt had been mer-
chant before he became farmer, and
while engaged in the former business
had come in contact with all sorts of
people.
REMEMBRANCE OF THE PAST.
He kept on thinking, and after
straining his memory as much as he
could, ray of sunshine shone on him.
He looked sharply at the gentleman, to
satisfy himself Yes, it was he; but
the rogue was SO much altered that he
could just recognize him and no more.
He had false moustache, and wore
wig but, in spite of all these DISCUSSES
the treacherous little gray eyes betrayed
him. Ten years before he had tried to
pass $40 counterfeit bill upon him,
but he was caught, arrested, tried,
convicted and sentenced to q short
term of imprisonment. Certain it was
that he had not been reformed,
TRAP LAID.
Mr.. Merritt, beng man of means,
has plenty of leisure on his hands.
After due reflection he determined to
follow this persistent counterfeiter,
and ascertain everything concerning
him and his gang, if he had one. He
was certain that this business required
manufacturers and great deal of capt.
tai He became his bosom friend.
They were inseparable-two brothers.
TOUR OF THE wEsT-THE DISCLOSURE.
They travelled in company from Oma-
ha to st. Louis, thence to st. Joseph,
Dubuque, Prairie du Chen, &c. Be
tween Madison and GAINESVILLE the I'M
known told bis secret TO Mr.. Merritt
and proposed he should engage in it
He went on to enumerate its success
and prosperity, displayed about $4,000
worth of the stuff, and concluded by
saying that they must get out at James
vile, because "pals" and "the house"
were near there. Mr. Merritt had no
objection to this arrangement on the
contrary, he was rejoiced at being en-
abled to know his friends and engage
in so lucrative a business.
THE DEN.
After they arrived at GAINESVILLE they