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

back part OF the CHAMBER. It appeared
to coEiie from some osit-houses ahicL
wefe situated bundled yards from the
h65se.
Now I am naturally Of an inauiring
inind, and this sound, occurring % Il
did in The middle Of the night, Id such
, remote. Jht-of-the-way place, piqued
my curiosity, and I felt an irrepressible
desire ~ 60 out and discover TIE
cause OIL. The desire, as the sound
contintiedi grew upoh me with such ina
tensitt tiiat 1 resolved to crafty IT.
1 put on my boots, the.only articles Of
attire had discarded, cautiously opened
door Of my chamber, noiselsssl5 des-
eended thp siekeiT staireasez 4 -
sEeps brought me INTO the lower apart
ments which found entifely deserted.
I crept quietly to the dUUfj and unfas-
tening il without making the slightest
noise, was soon in the moonlight.
Not a soul was visible; but the sound
continued, and grew more distinct as
approached the place from whence ii
proceeded. At last found myself bes
fore a long, low building, through the
crevices Of which / could perceive q
lurid glare issuing. | stopped down and
peeped through the key-hole, and to my
extreme surprise / saw half-a-dozen
strengthening men with their coats of
and sleeves rolled up, performing va
rity Of strange occupations. Some
were working at forge, others were
experimenting the casting Of moulds,
and some were engaged In the process
OF 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 evil
IDENTIFY belonged to the same band, for
in one corner I perceived them en-
ployed-the man polishing off some
half-dollar pieces, just turned out OF the
mouIds, while the woman was packing
the finished coin into rolls.
4 had seen enough and was about to
return to my apartment, when suddenly
felt heavy hand placed on my shoul-
der, and turning my head round, TO my
horror 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! Z" he exclaimed, giving me
shake.
taking a stroll by moonlight" re-
piled, endeavonDg to maintain my pres
ence Of mind.
swell, perhaps you'll take a stroll
inside, win you ?" returned the ruffian,
pushing open the door and dragging me
in after him,
All the inmates in the barn immedi-
ately stopped work and rushed towards
us when they saw me.
"Why, what's. all thisi" they ex-
claimed.
"a loafer / found peepin' outside"
said my captor.
Hes n traveller that came to the
tavern last night and asked for lodging:
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. ] soon saw they were in
earnest consultation, and were evident
" debating some important question:
The one keeping guard over me said
nothing, but scowled fiereely. had
not said single word during all the
time had been IN the barn. i was
aware that whatever might say would,
in all probability, do more harm than
good, and il has always been a maxim
of mine, to hold my tongue when in
doubt. At last the discussion seemed
10 be ended, for the blsckest and dir
test Of the whole crowd came forward
and, without any introduction, ex-
claimed:
81 say. stranger, look here, you must
die r'
I did not move q muscle nor utter q
word.
"You have found out our secret, and
dead men tell no tales"
I 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. i re-
membered something that might save
nv life. I burst into a violent fit of
laughter, in fact it was hysterical, but
they did not know.it. They looked at
one another in amazement.
"Well, he takes it mighty cool, any
how" said one.
81 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, ''time flies"
My only reply was a fit Of laughter
more violent than the first.
"The mans mad" they exclaimed.
'Or drunk, said some.
"Well, boys" cned I, speaking for
the first time, "this is the best Joke |
ever seed. What, hang pal 2"
"a pal-you pal p
III hsin't nothing else, !" was my ele-
CANT rejoinder.
"What is your name ~
"Did you ever hear ofNed Willetti"
asked.
You msy be certain Of that. Amt
he the head of our profession %
"Well, then, am Ned"
"You Ned Willett 70 they al cried.
"fou may bet Jour lie on that" Ire.
turned, staggering up TO the corner
where / had seen the old woman count
ing and packing the counterfeit half dol.
lars.
Fortune favored me. None Of che
men present had seen Ned tvilIett: al
khss.,..f, Iii ens..,fnasr,s, xtan Snall E.x.sns.