Nebraska advertiser., 1879-04-10

sound continued, and grew much
more distinct as / approached the
place from whence it proceeded. At
last 1 found myself before long, low
building, through the crevices of
which / could perceive lurid glare
Issuing. 1 stopped down, looked
through the key hole, and to my ex-
treme surprise, saw half dozen
strengthening men with their coats
off, and sleeves turned up, perform
ing a variety of strange occupations.
Some were working at forge, others
were experimenting the casting of
molds, and some were engaged in the
process of milling coin. In a mo-
ment, the whole truth burst upon me.
Here was the gang Of counterfeiters
| that was in search of, and the land
lord and his wife evidently belonged
to the same band for in one corner.
perceived them employed-the man
polishing off some halfdollar pieces
just turned from the moalds, and the
woman was packing the flushed coin
| into rolls.
/ had seen enough, and was about
to return to my apartments again,
when suddenly / felt heavy hand
placed on my shoulder, and turning
my head round, to my horror found
myself in the grasp of as illlooking
scoundrel as ever escaped the gallows.
"What are you doing, my good fel-
low ?'' he exclaimed, in gruf voice,
giving me shake.
Taking a stroll by moonlight" j
replied, endervoring to retain my
presence of fmind.
"Well. perhaps. you'll just take a
stroll in here, will you ?" returned
the ruffian, pushing open the door,
and dragging me in after him.
All the inmates. of the barn imme-
diately stopped work. and rushed to-
ward US as soon as 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 traveller that came to the
tavern tonight, and asked for lodg-
ing the last time l saw him, he was
safe in bed" said the landlord.
Tie man retired to a corner of the
apartment. leaving one to keep guard
over me. l soon saw they were in
earnest consultation. and were evil
deutly debating an important ques-
ton. The man keering guard over
NE said nothing, bat scowled fiercely.
At last the discussion seemed settled,
for the blacklist and dirtiest one of
! the lot came forward, and, without
any introduction. exclaimed:
II say, stranger, look here-you
must die"
did not move muscle, or utter a
word.
You have found out our secret, and
dead'men tell no tales"
was still silent.
we 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. I re-
membere something that might save
my life. / burst into a 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, be takes it mighty cool, any
how" said one.
II suppose be doesn't think we are
in earnest" said another.
Come. stranger, you had better
say your prayers" said the man who
had first spoken 4; "time flies"
My only reply was fit of laughter,
more violent than the fret.
The mans mad ~ they exclaim ed.
"Or drunk. )" said one.
"Well, boys" 1 cried, speaking for
the first time, "this is the best joke
ever seed. What, hang pal?"
IA pal-you pal ?"
II amt nothing else," was my ele-
giant rejoinder.
Whats your name?"
Ibid you ever hear of Ned Willett?"
1 asked.
"You may be certain of that. Amt
he at the head of our profession ?"
"Well, then. am Ned Willett.n
"You Ned WiIlettP ?" they all ex-
claimed
"You may bet your life on that" I
returned, staggering to the corner
where l had seen the old woman
packing and counting the counterfeit
half-doIlars.
Fortune favored me. None OF the
men present had ever seen Ned Will
lett, although his reputation was well
Known to them, and my swaggering,
lnsolent manner had somewhat put
them off their guard. yet I could
plainly see that all their doubts were ,
not removed.
"And you call these things we'll c
done, do you ?" asked. taking up a =
roll of the money. "Well, all can
say is. that If you can't do better than
this, you had better shut up shop, that
is ALL"
"Can you show us anything bet r
ter?" asked one of the men.
81 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 I knew my life depended. I
"Lookee here, gentlemen" I ex-
taking one of the counterfeit
1alf-dollars from my pocket. which
bad been rejected at the bank "here {
G m lacf inh hof do x,o,, Al