Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-02-29


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
tinct as 1 approached the place from
whence it proceeded At length 1 found
myself before a long, low building,
through the crevices of which 1 could
perceive lurid glare issuing. l stopped
down and peeped through the key
hole, and to my extreme surprise l 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 I 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 heavy hand placed on my
shoulder, and turning my head around
to nay horror I 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 a
shake.
"Taking stroll by moonlight" re-
piled, endeavoring to retain my COM
posure.
"Well, perhaps, you will just take a
stroll inside, will you ?' returned the
ruffan, 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.
"Whyl what's all this?" they ex-
planned.
"A Ioafer 1 found peepin' outside"
said NY 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. I soon saw they were in
earnest consultation, and were evidently
debating some important question.
The man keeping guard over me said
nothing, but scowled fiercely. I had
not said single word during all the
time l had been in the barn. 1 was
aware that whatever I might say would
in all probability do more harm
than good, and it has always been
maxim of mine to hold my tongue when
seemed to be ended, for the blackest of
the party came forward, and without
any introduction, exclaimed:
81 say, stranger, look here, you must
die !"
1 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. l re-
membered something that might save
my life. I burst into violent fit of
lauSuUor; III IdCI, IL Was uySG0r1Ctl, UuG
| 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 ia
earnest" said another.
"Come, stranger, you had better say
your prayers" said the man who had
| first spoken, "time flies"
My only reply was a fit of laughter
more violent than the first.
"The mans mad" they exclaimed.
| Cor drunk" said some.
| "Well, boys" cried 1, speaking fol
the first time, "this is the best joke
have ever seen. What, hang pal?"
"a pal-you pal?"
az amt nothin' else," was my elegant
rejoinder.
"What is your name?"
"Did you ever hear of Ned Willett p
L replied.
"You may be certain of that. Aim
he the head of our profession?"
"Well, then Pm Ned"
"You Ned Willett?" they all ex
claimed.
"You may bet your life on that"
exclaimed, staggering up to the corne
, where had seen the old woman count
: ing and packing the counterfeit hal
, dollars.
, Fortune favored me. None of tn
7 men present had ever seen Ned Willett
although his reputation was well know
to them, and my staggering, insolen
manner had somewhat thrown them o.
their guard; yet 1 could plainly Sc
! that their doubts were not all removed
7 "And you call these things well done
l do your" asked, taking up a roll c
t money. "Well, all have to say is ths
, if you can't do better than this, you ha
a better shut up shop, that's ALL"
t "Can you show us any better?" aske
one of the men.
d az rather think can. If Lcouldn
s I'd hang myself"
Y "Let's see it" they cried.
Il This was my last coup, and one O
/ which my life depended.
It "Look here, gentlemen" Iexclaimet
b taking one of the counterfeit half do
l. lars from my pocket that had been r
< jected at the bank. "Here is my Las
e job; what do you think of it?''
v. 1t was handed from hand to hanC
D. some saying it was no counterfeit at a.
'e and others saying it was.
Re How will you prove it is counte
y feit?" asked one.
n D., L. -