The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-11-28
THE COINERS OF KANSAS,

THE COINERS OF KANSAS.
Several years ago, and shortly after the re-
monetisation OF silver, counterfeiting re-
| ceived wonderful impetus, and the West
and South especially were flooded with bogus
coin.
The large floating population and the will
derness Of the border country rendered the
task Of unearthing the coiners hard one,
| but, after several seasons of persistent and
stealthy work the United States Detective
Service became satisfied as to the location of
at least one gang of the "sharps;" and
Jack Densmore, nm experienced agent, was
instructed to visit the State, (Kansas,) in
gratiate himself with the counterfeiters, and
learn of their haunts and habits.
| The duty was dangerous one, but the
nah selected to perform it had faced danger,
and even death, too often among Eastern
| criminals to hesitate n moment; and so II
happened that, upon certain hazy Septem-
Der evening, Densmore, disguised as
Dutch peddler, dropped from the westward
bound train on the X. p. road, at the little
station of Black Wolf, in Kansas.
For moment he gazed after the retreat
ing cars, then turned and in broken Eng
lisl, inquired of the station agent the route
to Wildwood Tavern.
81 vas what you call sthrange nit dis
part de koundry," said the peddler, smil-
ing; "but frient ov mine up de river, he
say 60 to Wildwood Tavern, und you sold
lots ov goots in dot koundry."
"Wall, Dutchy, don't reckon yer'll do
much trade, but kin tell we the road, eff yer
goin'."
So saying, the rough Wssterner gave the
necessary directions, and, in the cleaning,
Densmore disappeared.
"l'll try every house from here to Wild
wood, muttercd he, when out of hearing,
"but I'll find Prices. That's the name
| Price. And when that's found, look out |!
| IL can capture Dick Price, my fortunes
made.'
| At o o'clock, Carl-for 80 he called hi i'm
self-sought shelter at n settlers cabin by
tho roadside, and paid for supper, lodging,
and breakfast with gaudy lace.
At noon he paused again to eat and trade,
and still again many times during the after
noon.
Before night he had heard the name of
Price; and before night, too, several pieces OF
counterfeit coin had been passed upon
him.
lie was nearing his game.
1t was little after shutdown, and with
|
long hill, where the struggling road was
fringed with bushes and woods, when n steI
startled him, and a moment later slender
boy was at his side.
How you vas, little Teller 2" said the de
tective. "Dose vas a nice noight."
Yes, sir" said the youth, looking at hin
sharply. "Where are you going?"
Me goin'P Oh, vas goin' to sell dc
tings In mine pack. ! vas goin' to git rich,
: and the peddler chuckled.
emo, mean tonight. Where are yol
going to stayY" said the boy. "This roa'
/. stops up in the woods here"
DensmOre paused
De road stops! Py schimminyl Del
dot road got himself lost at the as'turn.
8 fought dis road went fro desc woods to d
place You calls de Tavern, hey ?"
\ "Oh, you mean Wildwood Tavern That
darkness. "ips five miles from here"
"Py schimminy," sighed poor Carl; "fiv
O miles neifer get deere tonight. slice
o init desc woods" and he began to unstra
his pack.
The boy eyed him again sharply The
hs said:
"No, you needn't sleep in the woods. liv
at the end of this road. Come with me
You can stay at our house, guess"
gladly. Dot vas nice; und ! get som
q supper. too, don't itY"
It ~ reckon, replied the boy.
u Remembering his pack, the two continue
y to follow the road, the youth leading, unit
N half mile further on, cabin appeared i
N the shadows.
u Here's my house," said the guide. SO
q to tho door, and III run and tell father, an
m he disappeared toward the barn.
Densmore looked sharply about him. Til
" was Prices. long, low cabin, strongl
7. built, with small barred windows, n bar
back of it, dreary woods upon all sides.
regular den. The detective shpddered.
"A bad hole; yet he's the chief. II ] ca
4. catch him with the dies 1t will destroy Il
gang"
Then, with resolution 10 succeed or pc
ish, ls slowly moved toward tho door.
As he raised his hand to knock, It WI
suddenly opened. A heavily built, heayil
bearded woodsman stood before nina mi
with skill and cunning in his face, and
desperate, threatening courage in his eyes
devil to dare, n giant to do-Dick Prio
He glOwered upon the peddler, shading Il
ilickering torch hs held with ono brawi
hand, while his piercing glance aearoh
Densmora's face.
"What dye want ~
"You vas de leetla poy's par Dot v
goot. ] want something's TO eat and som
things to sleep. De lectle poy said so." Al
with simple natnralnsss Carl pushed aside Il
mighty doorinan, entered tho cabin, tire
his pack upon the floor, and with sigh
relief dropped into low bench near the iil
"Ah, dot was gOot."
For an instant anger famed in Pric,
face, but before he could speak back dc
opened and awoman, young, 1.-the, and char
nn AM " a al al m.
before her, said
"Ah, this is the peddler Win spoke
me Of. He lost his way, dear Rhe &C
tinped, going to Price and laying her he
upon his ARM "and win met him OH t
road and asked him To stay with MS to-nigl
It's all right"
vn The passion died from the mans face; I
voice OF the woman thrilled Carl This G
or and the boy who had guided him were OF
W She was the spy of the gang.
$50 yer q peddler oh 70 said the host, 0
vancing. can lost yer wayf Wall, y
welcome TO our Ere and fare, bat tell y,
IL. little more ceremony will be better with Di
10 Price next time. | was nigh shakin' ye
49, and he smiled grimly.
20 Carl smiled, too, childlike and bland, a
said "Yaw.n The host and his c0mpani
100 were amused.
"Where's the boy 7" asked Price.
+" He went to the barn, replied the woms
We as she busted herself preparing the event
meal. " He was too tired to eat, and will /
be in Tonight"
Carl was sure now that woman and |
~. were one.
~. A plain but plentiful supper was sery,
after which the peddler and his host dr.
before the open fire with their pipes, Ma