Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-01-31

He's q traveller that came 70 the tav
Iern tonight and asked for lodging; tht
last time / saw him he was safe in bed, !,
said the landlord.
II The men withdrew to Q corner Of the
apartment, leaving one to keep guard
lover me. / soon saw they were il
Iearnest conversation, and were evi
| IDENTIFY debating some important qnes'
ton. The man keeping guard over
me said nothing, but scOwled fiercely.
l had not uttered q single word during
all the time l 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 8
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 lot came for
ward, and without any introduction,
exclaimed:
Isay, stranger, look here-you must
die.'
Ibid not move a muscle, nor utter a
word.
you have found out our secret, and
dead men tell no tales.
was still silent.
We will give you ten minutes to say
your pra yers, and also allow you the
privilege of saying whether you will
be hung or shot,
Suddenly an idea struck nae. re-
memdered something that might save
my life. / burst into violent fit Of
laughter, it fact it was hysterical, but
they did not know that. They looked
from one to the other in the greatest
amazement.
well, he takes it mighty cool, any
how said one.
Il 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 tiies.'
My only reply was fit of laughter,
more violent than the first.
The mans mad!' they exclaimed.
Or drunk said some.
Well, boys / cried, speaking for
the first time, this is the best joke 1
ever seed. What, hang psl?'
"A Apal-you pal?'
Il amt nothing else,' was my ele'
CANT rejeinder.
What's your name?'
did you ever hear Of Ned Willet?'
I asked.
You may be certain of that. Amt
he at the head OF our profession?
We'll, then, Pm Ned Willet.'
You Ned Willet?' they all exclaim'
ed.
You may bet your life on that
returned, staggering up to the corner
where bad seen the old woman count |
ing and packing the counterfeit half
dollars.
Fortune favored me-. None of the
men present had ever seen Ned Viii
let, although his reputation was well
known 10 them, and my staggering,
insolent manner had somewhat thrown
them off their guard, yet l could plain
ly see that all their doubts were not
And you call these thinas we'll done,
do you" l asked, taking upa role Of the
We'll, all can say is that if
you can't do better than this you'd
better shut up shop, that's ALL
'Can you show us anything better"
asked one OF the men.
Il rather think can. If couldn't,
I'd go and hang myself
Let's see it, they all cried.
This was my last coup, and one on
which L knew my life depended.
Look here, gentlemen l exclaim-
ed, taking one of the counterfeit half
dollars from my pocket which had
been rejected at the bank, mere is my
last job; what do you think of it?'
Ii was passed from hand to hand,
'ome saying it was no counterfeit at al,
others saying that it was.
How will you prove it Is counter
eit?' asked one OF the men.
BY weighing it with genuine one,
[ replied.
This plan was Immediately adopted,
md its Charaster proved.
Perhaps he's got this by accident l
heard one of the men whisper to an
,ther. t
; 'Pry these said 1, taking the other
NO from my pocket. Ii
All their doubts now vanished.
'Bsautifulp exclaimed some. loo
'Splendidp said another. ii
When they had examined it TO their !
they all of them shook me e
by the hand, every particle |
If doubt having vanished from their e
minds. I carried my part well. Some 9
Iuestions were occasionally asked me, :
involving the technlcalitles of the bu- d
iness; these, however, 1 avoided by :
tating that l was on journey of !
pleasure, and would much rather drink Q
i glass whisky than answer questions. :
The whisky was produced, and we ID
made night of it, and it was not un- +
ii morning had dawned that we sep 8
rated. 8
The next day I returned to Chicago, :
md brought down the necessary assis-
ance, and captured the whole gang of
in the very act. The
,srty was broken up forever, and most
Il them were condemned to serve
erm of years in the State Prison.
l have those counterfeit half dollars
till in my possession, and never in
end to part with them, for they were
the means of saving my lie.