Delaware tribune, and the Delaware state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1877-18??, 1877-10-11

such inteadts that resolved to CRAFTY it
1t any price.
Iput on my boots, the only article Of
attire I had discarded, and cautiously
opening the door Of my chamber, noise
lessly descended the ricketty staircase. A
few steps brought mo into the lower
apartment, which I found entirely
deserted. I crept quietly to the door, and
unfastening IT without making sne slightest
nolse wAs soon in tho moonlight.
Not soul WAS visible, but the sound
still Continued, and grew much more dis
tinct a. l approached the place from
myself before = long, low. building,
through the crevices Of which I could per-
ceivs q lurid glare issuing. I stopped
down and peered through the keyhole, and
TO my extreme surprise l saw half-a-dozen
strong looking men with their coats OF
and sleeves turned up performing variety
of strange occupations. Some were work
ing at forge, others were experimenting
the casting of moulds, and some were
engaged In the process of milling coin. In
. moment the whole ruth burst upon ma.
Here was the gang Of countesfsisers was
In sessuh Of, and the landlord and his wife
! evidently belonged to the same bana, for
In one corner I perceived them employed
the man polishing of some AAis dollar
pieces just turned from the moulds, while
the woman was packing the coin into rolls,
had seen enough, and was about to
return 70 my apartment again, when sud-
denly l felt heavy hand placed on my
shoulder, and turning my head round, to
my horror, found myself In the grasp of
- ill-looking scoundrel as ever escaped
the gallows
"Wsll what are you doing here, my
good fellowl' he exclaimed in a gruf
voice, giving me shake.
Taking q stroll by moonlight" l
replied, endeavoripg to retain my presence
of mind.
"well, perhaps, you'll just take stroll
in here, will you ?" returned the rufian,
pushing open the door and dragging me in
after him.
All the inmates of the barn Immediately
stopped work, and rushed toward US when
they saw me.
'why, what's this ?" they all exclaimed.
IA loafer found peeping outside, said
the man who had captured me.
"He's traveller that came to the tavern
tonight, and asked for lodgings; the last
time saw him he was ssfe 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 con-
sultation, and were evidently debating
some important question. The man keep
ing guard over me said nothing, but
scowled fercely. I had not uttered a
single word during all the time had been
in the barn. 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
in doubt. At last the discussion seemed
to be settled, for the blackest and dirtiest
of the whole came forward, and without
any introduction, exclaimed;
II say, stranger, look here-you must
die!".
Ibid not move muscle, nor utter aword
"You have found out our secret, and
dead men tell no tales"
was still silent.
eve will give you ten minutes to say
your prayers, and ALSO allow you the priv
ilege of saying whether you will be hanged
or shot"
Suddenly an idea struck me. 1 remem-
bered something that might save my life.
burst into violent fit of laughter, in
fact, it was hysterical. but they didn't
know that. They looked from one to
the other in the greatest amazement.
swell, he takes it mighty cool, any
how" said one.
IT 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, slime fies."
My only reply was fit of laughter more
violent than the first.
"The mans mad!" they exclaimed.
"Or drunk" said some.
swell, boys" cried, speaking for the
first time, "this ia the best joke ever
seed. What, hang a pal2"
"A pal-you pals"
II amt nothing else," was my elegant
rejoinder.
What's your name9"
"Did you ever hear of Ned Willet9" ]
y.ou may be certain of that. Amt he
at che head of our profession ?"
swell, then, I'm Ned Willett."
"You Ned Willett!' they all exclaimed
"You may bet your life on that" re
turned, staggering up to the corner where
had seen the old woman counting ant
,, packing the counterfeit half dollars.
Fortune favored me. None of the mel
! present had ever seen Ned Willett
, although his reputation was well known II
. them, and my staggering, insolent man
7 ner had somewhat thrown them of thei
guard, yet l could plainly see that al
7 their doubts were not removed.
Sand you call these things well done, d
9 you ?" 1 asked taking up roll of tn
J : money. "Well, all I can say is that
you can't do better than this you ha
better shut up shop, that's all.
"Can you show us anything better :?
y asked one of the men.
, 'I rather think l can. If couldn't I
J 90 and hang myself"
. Lets see it," they all cried.
II This was my Last coup, and one
l. which knew my life depended.
:. "Lookee here, gentlemen l e1claime'
" taking one of tho counterfeit half doilA'
20 from my pocket which had been rejecte
10 at the bank, "here is my last job; wha
- =. do you think of it 2'
NJ II was passed from hand to hand, son
~ saying it WAS no counterfeit at all, othe
e. saying that it was.
III "How will you prove it is cou
terfeit p' asked one of the men.
u "By weighing it with genuine one, v
replied.
a a This plan was immediately adopted, az
~ its character proved.
v "Perhaps he got this by accident
~ I heard one of the men whisper
70 another.
OF "Try these" said l, taking the 9th
sc ,S two from my pocket.
~ All their doubts now vanished.
sS' 'Beautiful!" said some. 'Splendid