The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-06-20
extreme surprise l saw halt a dozen men

his wife evidently belonged to the same
band, for in one corner saw them en-
ployed,-th man polishing off some
| piecs and the woman was packing the
finished coin into rolls.
| had seen enough, and was about TO
return to my apartment, when l sudden
| ly felt heavy hand placed on my shout
der, and, turning my head around, to my
horror found myself in the grasp of as
| Unlocking scoundrel as ever escaped the
gallows.
"What are you doing here, my good
fellow2' he exclaimed giving me shake.
Taking stroll by moonlight" L re-
piled, endeaYoring to retain my compo-
| sure.
SWELL, perhaps. you viii just take a
| stroll inside, Will you?' returned the ruff
| fan, pushing open the door, and dragging
me 10 after him.
All the inmates of the barn immediate
ly stopped work and rushed toward US
| when they saw me.
WHY what all this p they exclaim-
| ed.
"a loafer 1 found peepin' outside, F"
said my eaptor.
Hes traveller that came to the tav-
| ern last night and asked for lodging /;
the last saw of him be 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 that they were in
earnest consultation, and were evidently
debating some important question.
The man keeping guard over me said
nothing, but scowled iercely. [ had not
said single word during all the time
had been in the barn. l was aware that
whatever [ might say would in all proba-
bility do more harm than good, and it
has always been a 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
81 say, stranger, look here, you must
/ die ~
| I did not move muscle nor utter 9
word
''You have found out our secret, and
dead men tell no tales
Twas silent.
1--WE will give you ten minutes to say
your prayers, and also allow you the priv
lege of being shot or hung
Suddenly an idea struck me. remem
bered something that might save my life
| burst into violent fit of laughter; ii
fact. it was hysterical, 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 prayers said the man who haG
first spoken, "time fies.''
My only reply was a fit of laughter
more violent than the first.
1.-The mans mad" they exclaimed.
''Or drunk, said some.
"Well, boys" cried I, speaking for the
first time, this is the best joke have
ever seen. What, hang pal p
"a pal-you pal?"
II amt nothin' else," was my elegant
rejoinder.
What is,your name Pr
''Did you ever hear of Ned Willett p
| 1 replied.
"You may be certain Of that. Ain't
he the head of our profession.
swell, then, I'm Ned
'You Ned Willett 2" they all exclaim,
ed.
"Yosa may bet your life on that" ex.
claimed. staggering up to the corner
where l had seen the old woman count.
ing and packing the counterfeit half dol
lars.
Fortune favored me. None of the men
present lad ever seen Ned Willett, al
though lis reputation was we'll known tc
them, and my staggering. insolent man
ner had somewhat thrown them off then
gurrd; yet [ could plainly see that theiI
doubts were not all removed.
''And you call these things we'll done
do you? ?" I asked, taking up roll Of
money.
''WelI, all have to say is, that if you
can't do better thau 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 I 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-dollars
from my pocket that had been rejected al
the bank. here is my last job; what dc
you think of it p
1t was handed from hand to hand, some
saying it was no counterfeit at all and
| some saying it was.
"How will you prove it is a counter
felt p asked one.
by waying it with a genuine one,'
replied.
The plan was Immediately adopted, land
its character proved.
Perhaps he got this by accident"
heard man whisper to another.
'Try these I said. taking the other
two ont of my pocket.
All tneir doubts vanished.