The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-02-07

10 me the idea Of some one striking iro
with a mufiled hammer. rose up froI
my bed and went 10 the window; th
moon was low in the western horizon
by which fact knew it must be nea
morning. The sound l have befor
referred to reached me more distinct.
than when In the back part of tn
chamber. 1t appeared to come frOn
some outhouses which were situate,
about one hundred yards from th'
house.
Now, am naturally of an inquirinI
mind, and this sound, occurring as
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 get out and discover the cause o
it. This desire. as the sound continued
grew upon me with such intensity tina
resolved to crafty it at any price.
put on my boots, the only article
of attire had discarded and cautiously
opening the door of my chamber, noise,
lessly descended the ricketty 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 least
noise, was soon in the moonlight.
Nothing was visible, but the sound
continued and grew mnch more dis
tinct 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 | saw half
a dozen strong-looking men with their
coats off and their sleeves rolled up
performing variety of strange opera
others were experimenting the casting
of moulds, and some were engaged in
the process Of milling coin. In mo-
ment 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
employed-the man polishing off some
half dollar pieces just turned from the
molds, while the woman was packing
the coin into rolls.
| 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
around, to my horror, found myself in
the grasp of as ill-looking a scoundrel
as ever escaped the gallows.
swell, what are on doing here, my
good fellow?" he exclaimed in a grutf
voice, giving me shake.
Taking stroll by moonlight" | re-
piled, endeavoring TO retain my pre-
sence OF mind.
"Well, perhaps, you'll just take
stroll in here, will you?" returned the
rufiian, pushing open the door. and
dragging me in after him.
All the inmates of the barn immedi-
ately stopped work, and rushed toward
us when they saw me.
"Why, what's this?" they all ex-
claimed.
"a loafer found peeping outside" "
said the man who had captured me.
"He's a traveller that came to the
tavern tonight and asked for lodgings;
the last time | saw him he was safe in
bed," said the landlord.
The men withdrew to a corner of the
apartment, leaving one to keep guard
over me. soon saw they were in ear
nest consultation, and were evidently
debating some important question. The
man keeping guard over me said moth
ing, but sccwled fiercely. | had not
uttered single word during all the
time | had been in the barn. | was
aware that whatever 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 blacklist and dir.
tiest of the whole came forward, and
without any introduction, exclaimed:
"I say stranger, look here-yOu must
diev"
did not move muscle, nor utter
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 prayers, and also allow you the
privilege of saying whether you will be
hanged or shot.
Suddenly an idea struck me. re-
membered something that might save
my life. burst into violent fit of
laughter, in 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.
II 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 at of laughter
more violent than the first.
"The man is mad?" they exclaimed.
cor drunk" said some.
"well, boys" | cried, speaking for
the first time, "this is the best joke |
ever seen. What, hang pal?"
"a pal-you a palY"
81 amt nothing else," was my ele-
rrn rninin