The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-12-20

moon was low in the western horizon,
by which fact l knew it must be near
morning. The sound have before re-
ferred to reached me more distinctly
than when in the back part of the
chamber. 1t appeared to come from
some outhouses which were situated
about one hundred yards from the
| house.
Now, 1 am naturally of an inquiring
mind, and this sound, occurring as it
did in the middle of the night in such
remote, out-of-the-way place, piqued my
| curiosity, and | felt an irresistible de-
sire to 90 out and discover the cause of
| it. This desire, as the sound continued,
I grew upon me with such intensity that
l resolved to crafty it at any price.
l put on my boots, the emily article of
attire | had discarded, and cautiously
opening the door of my chamber, noise
| lessly descended the rickety staircase.
| A few steps brought me into the lower
| apartment, which / found entirely de-
serted. / crept quietly to the door, and
unfastening it without making the
slightest noise, was soon in the moonlight
Not a soul was visible, but the sound
still continued, and grew much more
| distinct as | approached the place from
whence it proceeded. At last / found
myself before long, low building,
through the crevices of which | could
perceive lurid glare issuing. stopped
down and peered through the keyhole,
and to my extreme surprise, l saw half
a dozen strong looking men with their
coats off and sleeves turned up perform
ing variety of strange occupations.
Some were working at forge, others
were experimenting the casting of
molds, and some were engaged in the
process of milling coin. In 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 / perceived them en-
ployed-the man polishing off some half
dollar pieces just turned from the molds,
while the woman was packing the coin
into rolls.
1 had seen enough, and was about to
return to my apartment again, when
suddenly felt heavy hand placed on
my shoulder, and, turning my head
round, to my horror, found myself in
the grasp of as Unlocking scoundrel
as ever escaped the gallows.
"Well, what are you doing here, my
good fellow?" he exclaimed, in grutf
voice, giving me a shake.
.''Taking a stroll by moonlight" re-
piled, endeavoring to retain my presence
of mind.
"Well, perhaps you'll just take a
stroll in here, will you!" returned the
rufiian, pushing open the door and
dragging me in after him. All the in
mates of the barn Immediately stopped
work, and rushed toward us when they
saw me.
"Why, what's this?'' they all ex-
claimed
"a loafer 1 found peeping outside, u
said the man who had captured me.
"He's traveller that came to the
tavern to night and asked for lodging
the last time l saw him he was safe il
bed," said the landlord.
The men withdrew to corner of the
apartment, leaving one to keep guart
over me. l soon saw they were in earn
est conversation, and were evidently de
batting some important question. The
man keeping guard over me said moth
ing, but scowled fiercely. | had not ut
tered single word during all the tim,
I had been in the barn. ] was awar,
, that whatever l might say would in al
probability do more harm than good
, and it has always been maxim of min
to hold my tongue when in doubt. A
last the discussion seemed to be settled
for the blackest and dirtiest of the who'll
: came forward, and without any intro
> duction, exclaimed:
@ say, stranger, look here-you mus
die"
: I did not move a muscle, nor utter
v word
r "You have found out our secret, an
| dead men tell no tales"
$ was still silent.
| "We will give you ten minntes to sa
: your prayers, and also allow you tn
a privilege of saying whether you will b
!. hanged or shot"
: Suddenly an idea struck me. I II
membered something that might say
my life. / burst into violent fit c
i laughter, in fact, it was hysterical, bu
y they did not know that. They locke
from one to the other in the creates
amazement.
: "Well, he takes it mighty cool, any
/ how" said one.
81 suppose he don't think we are i
e earnest" said another.
n "Come, stranger, you had better sa
a your prayers" said the man who ha
first spoken; " time flies"
: My only reply was fit of laughter
: more violent than the first.
:. "The mans mad!" they exclaimed.
L cor drunk" said some
Is "Well, boys" I cried, speaking fc
the first time, this is the best joke
is ever seed. What, hang pal?"
e GA pal-you pal?"
W "I amt nothing else," was my elega1
|, rejoinder.
n whats your name?"
y Did you ever hear of Ned Willett
l. 1 asked
a You may be certain of that. Ain
1T he at the head of our profession?"
l. "Well, then, Pm Ned Willett."
"You Ned Willett?" they all e,
ID claimed.
le "You may bet your life on that" :"
+ returned, staggering up to the corn
ID where / had seen the old woman coun
ing and packing the counterfeit hal
r dollars.
r Fortune favored me. None of IL
~ men present had ever seen Ned Willet
at although his reputation was well know
le to them, and my staggering, insolel
uidluoI ldu SOIlcWHdG tuTOWu GuoH1
Id their guard, yet could plainly see tn
L all their doubts were not removed.
It. And you call these things we'll don
er do you?" l asked, taking up role
It, the money. "Well, all 1 can say
ar that if you can't do better than th
IS you had better shut up shop, that's all
n Can you show US any thing better
Id asked one of the men.
l rather think I can. If I couldn
of I'd go and hang myself"
tn Lets see it." they all cried.
OF This was my last coup, and one ,
be which knew my life depended.
'e- Locke here, gentlemen" I e
lie claimed, taking one of the counterft
as half-dollars from my pocket which h.
re- been rejected at the bank, "here is n
last job; what do you think of it?''
ut 1t was passed from hand to hand. sol
1 saying it was no counterfeit at a