The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-05-30

eJly W IuC WlNuOWj uht uhi''oo0h'Hb Is
it without making the slightest nose,
was soon in the moonlight I
Not soul was visible; but the
sound have mentioned grew more
and more distinct as | arproachol
the place from whence it proceeded,
At length l found myself before a
long, low building, through the crey-
ices Of which | could perceive lur'd
glare issuing. | stopped down and
peeped through the key-hole, and to
my my surprise, I saw half dozen men,
with their sleeves up and coats of,
performing a variety of occupations.
Some were working at forge, others
were experimenting the castings OF
moulds and some we're engaged IN
milling coin. In moment the
whole truth burst upon me Here
was the gang Of counterieiters l was
in search OF, and the landlord and
his wife evidently belonged to the
same band, for in ono corner | saw
them employod-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 l
suddenly felt heavy hand placed on
my shoulder, and tuning my head
around, to my horror I found myself
in the grasp Of asill looking a scoun-
drel as ever escaped the gallows.
'What are you doing here, my
good fellow" he exclaimed, giving
me q shake. Take stroll inside,
will you?" continued tho rutiian,
pushing open the door and dragging
me in after him.
All the inmates Of the barn stop
ned work and rushed towards us
when they saw me.
"Whyl what's all this they ez-
claimed. :,
"A leafer I found peepin' outside"
said my captor. H.
'IIo's traveller that come to the
tavern last night and asked for a
lodging; the last | saw OF him he was
safe in bed" said the landlord.
The men withdrew to corner OF
the apartment, leaving one to keep
Guard over me. | soon saw they
!. we're in an earnest consultation, and
$ we're evidently debating some lmpor-
tant question.
;. Tue man keeping guard over me
o said nothing, but scowled hercely' !
h had not said q single word during al
the time I was in the barn. | Wal
@ aware that whatever | might so.
# would in all probability 90 more
i harm than good, and it has always
been n maxim of mine to hold my
= TONGUE when i'll doubt. At last the
G consultation seemed to be ended, fol
It the blackest OF the party came Tor
d ward, and, without any introduction
: exclaimed:
,. 81 say, stranger, look here, yo'
vt must de"
+ I did not move q muscle nor ute
y a word.
l. "You have found out our secret
1t and dead men tell no tales"
a was silent. =,
sr ave will give you ten minutes t.
n saw YOUR prayers, and also allow yo
j. the privilege of being shot or hung,
Suddenly an idea struck me:
of remembered something that nigh
III save my life. / burst into vlolen
id fit of laughter; in fact it was hystel
er ical, but they did pot know it. The
lie looked at one another in amaze
as ment.
e "Well, he takes it mighty coo
anyhow" said one. =,
,e, "Suppose he don't think were l
7 earnest" said another.
If "Come, stranger, you had bett'
Nv say your prayers" said the man wi
n, had spoken first; "time flies"
nv Ny only reply was fit OF laughte
as more VlOlent Illail uno AAA'o'
,as THE mans mad" they exclalmo
"Or drunk" said some. ,
no "Well, boys" cried l, speaking f
T9 Tor the first time, "this is the bestJoke
N. have ever seen. What, hang a pal
! I "a pal-you pal?"
ch m amt nothing else" was my el
ed CANT rejoinder.
al. "What is your manner
&C. "Did you ever hear of Ned WllIst
1ot I replied. ,, A.:
a "You may be certain OF that All
,bt he the head of the profession
Mt "Well, then, I'm Ned" =.
~ nv You Ned Willet?" they all e1clall
t, l ed.
'pt, "You may bet your life on tina
by I exclaimed, staggering up to
me corner whore had sen the old "
1 man counting and packing the cou
the terfeit half dollars.
not Fortune favored me. None
a of the men present had ever seen N
He'd Willet, although his reputation v
and we'll known to them; and my sw'
was oering, itsolent manner had son
nich 1Wh,t thrown them off their qua
ing. vet I could plainly sec that tn
d to doubts were not all removed.
han "And you call these things
am done, do you?" asked taxing {
ome a roll of money. DWELL, oil L nj
nun to say is that if you can't 40 Del
than thi, you had better SHUT
qui- shop, That's all ho,t,
ring "Uan you show us any pe'''
ight, ssked one of the men. :,
It ON m rather think l can. Ii coai'
and I'd hang myself"
sire, "Let's see it" they cried.
upon This was my last coup, and on
solv- which my life depended.
"Look here, gentlemen,
rticle claimed, taking one OF the coun