Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-03-01

in the middle of the night, piqued my
curiosity, and felt an irrepressible de-
sire to go out and discover the cause of
it. The desire, as the sound continued,
grew upon me with such intensity that
| resolved to crafty it at any price.
put on my boots, the only article of
attire had discarded, cautiously opened
the door of my chamber, and noiselessly
descended the rickety staircase. A few
steps brought me into the lower apart
ment, which [ found entirely deserted.
l crept quietly to the window, and un-
fastening it without making the slightest
noise, was soon in the moonlight.
Not soul was visible; but the sound
l have mentioned grew much more dis
tinct as l approached the place from
whence it proceeded. At length | found
myself before a long, low building,
through the crevices Of which [ could
perceive lurid glare issuing. | stopped
down and peeped through the key
hole, and to my extreme surprise | saw
half dozen men, with their sleeves up
and coats off, performing a variety of
occupations. Some were working at
forge, others were experimenting the
castings of molds, and some were en-
gagged in milling coin. In a moment
the whole truth burst upon me. Here
was the gang of counterfeiters was in
search of, and the landlord and his wife
evidently belonged.to the same band,
for in one corner | saw them employed
the man polishing off some half dol
lar pieces, and the woman was packing
the finished coin into rolls.
l had seen enough, and was about to
return to nay apartment, when l sud-
denly felt a heavy hand placed on my
shoulder, and turning my head around
to nay horror l found myself in the
grasp of as i'll looking a scoundrel as
ever escaped the gallows.
"What are you doing here my good
fellow?" he exclaimed, giving me
shake.
"Taking stroll by moonlight" re-
piled, endeavoring to retain my COM
pOsufe.
"Well, perhaps, you will just take
stroll inside, will your" returned the
ruffian, pushing open the door, and
dragging me in after him.
All the inmates of the barn immedi-
ately stopped work and rushed toward
us when they saw me.
"Why what's all this? 2" they ex-
planned.
a" "A Ioafer l found peepin' outside"
said my captor.
"He's a traveller that came to the
tavern last night and asked for lodg-
ing; 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. l soon saw they were in
earnest consultation, and dwere evidently
debating some important question.
The man keeping guard over me said
nothing, but scowled fercely. | had
not said a single word during all the
time l had been in the barn. l was
aware that whatever might say would
in all probability do more harm
than good, and it has always been
maxim of mine to hold my tongue when
in doubt. At last the consultation
seemed to be ended, for the blacklist of
the party came forward and without
any introduction, exclaimed:
" say, stranger, look here, you must
die -
did not move muscle nor utter a
word.
"You have found out our secret, and
dead men tell no tales
| was silent.
"We will give you ten minutes to say
your prayers, and also allow you the
privilege of being shot or hung"
Suddenly an idea struck me. | re-
membered something that might save
my life 1 burst into violent fit of
laughter; in fact, it was hysterical, but
they did not know it; they looked at
one another in amazement.
"Well, he takes it mighty cool, any
how" said one.
"Suppose he don't think we are in
earnest" said another.
"Come, stranger, you had better say
your prayers" said the man who had
first spoken, "time flies"
My only reply was fit of laughter
more violent than the first.
"The mans mad,' they exclaimed.
Cor drunk" said some.
"Well, boys" cried l, speaking for
the first time, "this is the best joke l
have ever seen. What, hang a pal?n
"a pal-you pal ?''
Il amt nothin' else," was my elegant
rejoinder.
"What is your name?''
"Did you ever hear of Ned Willett ?"
| replied.
"You may be certain of that. Amt
he the head of our profession?"
swell, then I'm Ned"
"You Ned Willett?" they all ex
claimed.
sHYou may bet your life on tfat," |
exclaimed, staggering up to the corner
where / had seen the old woman count
ing and packing the counterfeit half
dollars.
Fortune favored me. None of the
men present had ever seen Ned Willett,
although his reputation was well known
to them, and my staggering, insolent
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 a roll of
money. "Well, all have to say is that
if you can't do better than this, you had
better shut up shop, that's all"
"Can you show us any better?" asked
one of the men.
81 rather think | can. IF | couldn't
I'd hang myself"
Lets see it," they cried.
This was my last coup, and one on
which my life depended.
Look here, gentlemen, exclaimed,
taking one of the counterfeit half dol
lars from my pocket that had been re-
jected at the bank. "Here is nv last
job; what do you think of it2n
1t was handed from hand to hand,
some saying it was no counterfeit at all,