Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1878-08-15
Among the Oounterfeitcrs.

During the year 1S4S, the West was
flooded With counterfeit coin. Ii was 90
well manufactured that IL passed readi-
ly. The evil at last became so great
that the United States authorities requcs-
ted that skillfal detective might be sent
10 ferret out the hest of coiners.
was fixed upon TO perform the duty.
had nothing 70 guide me. The fact.
however, that Chicago was the city
where the counterfeit coin was most
abundant, led me TO suspect that the
mandatory was somewhete within its
limits. II was, therefore, to the capi-
tai of the West ] first proceeded. I
spent FIVE weeks in that city without
gaining the slightest clue 10 the coun-
terieittrs.
began to gfo~ discouraged and real
ly thought should be obliged TO return
home without having achieved my re-
suit. One day | received letter from
my wife, requesting me to send home
some money, as she was out of funds.
! went into bank and asked for draft,
at the same time handing a sum of mo-
ney 10 pay for il in which there were
several half dollars. The clerk pushed
three OF the half dollars back 10 me, say
ing:
"Counterfeit."
"What," said I, "do you mean TO tell
me those half dollars are counterfeit -
al do"
care you certain %
Perfectly certain. . They are remark
ably well executed, but are deficient In
weight. See for yourself"
And he placed one Of them in the
balance against genuine hall dollar,
and the latter brought up the former.
"That is the best counterfeit coin |
ever saw in my liz" I exclaimed, ex-
amining them very closely. "Is oil the
counterfeit money in circulation here Of
the same character as this !"
"Oh, dear, no." replied the clerk,
''it is not nearly as well done. These
are the work of the famous New York
counterleiter, Ned Willett. know
them well, for have handled great
deal Of It in my time. Here is some of
the money that is in circulation here" "
he added, taking several halt dollars
from the drawer. "You see the mil
ling is not so well done as Ned Will
letPs, although il is pretty good, TOO. /"
compared the two and found that
he was right. j supplied the place OF
the three counterfeits with good coin,
and returned the former to my pock-
ct.
A few days after this received in
formation which caused me to take a
journey to small town about thirty
miles from Chicago. l arrived there at
night. and took up my quarters at the
only tavern in the place. II was Q
wretched dwelling, and kept by an old
man and woman, The surliest couple I
think il has ever been my lot to meet.
In answer TO my inquiry as to whether /
could have lodgings there for the night,
/ noticed that the host case peculiar
look at his wife, and after some whis-
perings / was informed IN the most un-
gracious manner possible, that / could
have bed.
have frequently, in the course Of
my life, been obliged to put up with
wretched accommodations, so did not
allow my equanlmity TO be moved by
the miserable fare set before me, and
the still more miserable sleeping apart
ment into which | was tishered after |
had concluded my repast.
The chamber was of small size, and
was certainly well ventilated, Tor /
could see the stars peeping through the
roof. The bed was simply q bag Of
straw thrown into one corner of the
room, without sheets or covering Of any
kind. This last fact, however, was not
Of much consequence, as u was sum
mer-time and oppressively hot.
stood more than an hour gazing out OF
the opening which served for win
dow. Before me was spread an i'm
mense prairie, the limits Of which !
could not see. The tavern in which /
had taken up my abode appeared to be
isolated from all other dwellings. Save
the croak OF the tree-ifug and the hum
OF the locust, not a sound reached my
ear. II was beautiful moonlizht night
$50 bright that could see TO read the
smallest print.
AT last began to grow weary, anu
throwing myself on the pallet, was soon
plunged in deep slumber. How long
slept know not, but | was awakened
by dull sound, which resembled some
one hafimering in the distance. / sup
pose il was the pecnliarity Of the sound
whsch awUke me, ior IL was by no
means loud, but conveyed 10 me the idea
OF some one striking iron with mufiied
hammer. rose from my bed and went
TO the window. The moon was low in
the western hofison. BY which fact
knew Il must be near morning. The
sound ! have before referred 10 reached
me more disiineflH than MhAn I'm the