The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1880-12-17
THE coINERs OF KANSAS
ThR1LLTNG sKETcH.

- a...-
Several years ago, and shortly after
the characterization of silver, counterfeit
ing received wonderful impetus, and
the West and South especially were
flooded with bogus coin.
The large floating population and the
wilderness Of the border country rem
dered the task of unearthing the coiners
q haEdaone, but after several seasons Of
persistent aud stealthy work, the United
States Detective Service became satisfied
astp the location of at least one gang of
the "Sharps !" and Jack Densmore, an
expefieneed agent, was instructed 10
visit the State (Kansasl, singratiate him
seH With the counterfeiters, and learn Of
their hannb and habits. = : = :. : <
The duty was dangerous one, but
the.flan selected to perform u had faced
danger, and even death, too often among
Easternsciminals to hesitate moment |;
snd eoA happened that, upon certain
hezy September evening, Densmore, dis
guised m Dutch peddler, dropped
from the Westward bound train on the
KSRaR0ad, at the little station of Black
Wolf Kansas. For q moment he
gazed fa3tar the retreating cars, then
tuned, and IN broken English inquired
Of che station agent the route to WiId-
wood Tavern.
81 vas what you call sthrange NIT dis
part de koundry," said the peddler,
smiling INT frient ov mine up de
river, II zsy go to Wildwood Tavern, und
yoHsold lots of goots In dot koundry. /"
nal Buchy, don't reckon you'll
q nshoh tfsde,: but 1 ken tell YOU the
rpad II yer epin."
So saying the rough Westerner gave
the neceszafy directions, and, In the
cleaning. Densmore disappeared.
fTn try every house from here to
WILDWOOD fnuttered he, when out of
hearing, Sat I'll find Prices. That's
the name-Prce. And when that's
foand, -loek, out !, If can capture Dick
PTice. my, fortGne's made.
NAt 8 O'Clock Carl-for so he called
his,self- sought shelter at a settlers
cabin by the roadside, and paid for a
supper, lodging and breakfast with
gaudy lace. At noon he paused again
to-eat and trade, and again many times
during the afternoon. Before night he
had heard the name Of Price and be-
fore night, too. several pieces OF counter
felt coin had been passed upon him.
He was nearing his game.
It was little after shutdown, and with
weary tread Densmore was climbing up
long hill, where the struggling road
when step startled him, and q moment
later slender boy was at his side.
.. 3How you vas, little feller?" said the
detective. "Dose vas nice noight?"
"Yes, SIR" said the youth, looking at
him sharply. Where are you goingP
ss1"Me goin'p o, 1 vas goin' to sell de
tings in mine pack. vas gOin to glt
rich, . and the peddler chuckled.
."No 1 mean tonight. Where are you
going to stay?" said the boy. "This
road stops up in the woods here"
DensmOre paused
"De road stopsl Ply schimminyl Den
dot road got himself lost at de las turn.
] fought dis road went fro desc woods
TO de place you calls de tavern, hey?"
80, you mean Wildwood Tavern?
That's over that way" and the boy
pointed into the darkness. cts five
miles from here"
spy schimminyl" sighed poor Carl;
five miles! neffer get dere tonight.
I sleep NIT desc woods, and he began to
unpack his strap.
The boy eyed him again sharply.
Then he said: No, you needn't sleep
in the woods. I live at the end Of this
road Come with me. You can stay al
our house, I guess"
"Ah, dot vas good poy, said Dutchy
gladly. s"Dot vas nice; und get some
supper, too, don't it?'
III reckon, replied the boy.
Remembering his pack, the two con,
tinued to follow the road, the youth lead
ing. until, half mile furthur on, q cabin
appeared in the shadows.