Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-06-22
The COiners OF Kansas.

gus coin.
The large floating population and the
wilderness 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 detec-
tive service became satisfied as to the loca-
ton of at least one gang of the Sharps !"
and Jack Densmore, an experienced agent
was instructed to visit the state (Kansas),
ingratiate himself with the counterfeiters,
and learn of their haunts and habits
The duty was a dangerous one, but the
man selected to perform it had faced dan
ger, and even death, too often among east
ern criminals to hesitate a moment; and so
it happened that upon certain hazy Sep
tember evening, Dsnsmore, disguised as
Dutch peddler, dropped from the westward
bound train on the Kansas Pacific road, at
the little station of Black Wolf in Kansas.
For moment he gael after the retreating
cars, then turned, and in broken English in
quired of the station agent the route to
Wildwood Tavern.
al vas what you call sthrange nit dis part
de koundry," said the peddler, smiling
"but friend ov mine up de river, he say go
to Wildwood Tavern, und you sold lots of
| goods in dot koundry."
| "Wall, Duchv, don't reckon you'll do
much trade, but ken tell you the road"
| SO saying, the rough westerner gave the
necessary directions, and in the cleaning
Densmore disappeared.
"Tl try every house from here to Wild
wood" muttered he, when out of hearing,
"but I'll find Prices. That's the name =
Price. Aud when that's found, look out
At nine o'clock Carl-for so he called
himself-sought shelter at a settlers cabin
by the roadside aud 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 before night, too, several pieces
of counterfeit coin had been passed upon
him. He was nearing his game.
1t was little after sundown, and with
weary tread Densmore was climbing up {
long bill, where the struggling road wa:
fringed with bushes and woods, when a steI
startled him, and moment later slender
boy was at his side.
"How you vas, little Teller ?" said the de
tective. "Dose vas nice noight?"
ayes, sir" said the youth, looking at hin
sharply. "Where are you going?"
"Me going? o, | vas goin' to sell d
tings in mine pack. Ivas goin' to git rich,
and the peddler chuckled.
, "No, | mean tonight Where are yol
going to stay ?" said the boy. "This roa'
stops up in the woods here"
Densmore paused.
| "Ds road stops Py schimminy De
r de road got himself lost at de las turn.
/ fought dis road went fro desc woods to d
I place calls de tavern, hey ?"
i 80, you mean Wildwood Tavern That
{ over that way" and the boy pointed int
the darkness. It's five miles from here.
: "Py schimminyl" sighed poor Carl
: five miles l neffer get dere tonight.
sleep nit desc woods" and he began to III
9 strap his pack.
. The boy eyed him again sharply. Then b
: said " No, you needn't sleep in the wood
4 live at the end of this road. Come wit
Y me. You can stay at our house guess"
r "Ah, dot vas nice; and get some SUI
D per- too, don't it 2"
81 reckon" replied the boy.
g Reshouldering his pack, the two continue
e to follow the road, the youth leading, unit
+ half mile further on a cabin appeared
{ the shadows.
4 "Heres my house," said the guide. &C
J. to the door, and I'll run and tell father
e and he disappeared toward the barn.
' Densmore looked sharply about him. TIL
: was Prices. A long, low cabin, strong
| built, with small, barred windows, bar
/ back of it, dreary woods upon all sides.
. regular den. The detective shuddered.
: "A bad hole; yet he's the chief. II
/, can catch him, with the dies, it will destro
$ the gang"
Q Then with a resolution to succeed or perls
= he slowly moved towards the door.
As he raised his hand to knock it Wi
suddenly opened. A heavily-built, heavil
bearded woodsman stood before him-a ma
with skill and cunning in his face, and
= desperate, threatening courage in his eye
$ a devil to dare, giant to do-Dick Pric
, "What dye want p
It "You vas de lettle poy's pa Dot vas goo
It | want something's to eat and something's
,. Sleep De lettle poy said So" And, vii
g simple naturalness, Carl pushed aside IL
a mighty door man, entered the cabin, thre
e his pack upon the floor, and with sigh
IS relief, dropped upon allow bench near the fir
e "Ah, dot vas goot."
l. For an instant anger famed in Price
70 face, but before he could speak, back do
h opened, and woman, young, 1.-the al
a charming, entered, and with glance at Il
Il man before her, said, All, this is the pc
,r dler viii spoke to me of. He lost his wa
d DEAR" she continued, going to Price and la
e, ing her hand upon his arm; "and Will m
" him on the road, and asked him to stay wi
d us tonight. It's all right"
Ie The passion died from the mans fac
n the voice of the woman thrilled Carl Th
& girl and the boy who had guided him we
s. one. She was the spy of the gang.
s. $50 yer a peddler, eh ?" said the hol
% advancing can lost yer way Wall, y
welcome to our fare and fire; but tell
a little more ceremony will be better wi
Dick Price next time. was nigh shakil
ye" and he smiled grimly.
Carl smiled, too childlike and bland, al
said, Yaw." The host and his compani'
we're amused.
"Where's the boy ?" asked Price.
He went to the barn." replied Il
IS woman, as she busted herself preparing t
RI evening meal. :" He was too tired to ei
d, and will not be in tonight"
of Carl was sure now that the woman al
n the boy were one.
of A plain but plentiful supper was serve
Id aft ,r which the peddler and his host DIRE
of before the open fire with their pipes. NJ
sr- urally the conversation turned upon trac
be and Dutchy very willingly told of his 81
On cess, and even showed the silver which
IL had gathered during the day. Price pick
in a piece of it from his hand.
Vn This eres bad said he.
lie, "Vat bad :" and Carl leaned forward e
ut cited. "Oh, you vas foolin'," he continue
1t. examining the coin. "Diss will pass"
al at may pass, but it's counterfeit all t
70, same" said Price "Pm sure of it,"
N. "Vell, neffer mind. It's good enough (
Or, me-" said the peddler, with a smile.
al only wish had a t'ousand dollars init It,"
ce "Wall, | reckon ye could get it" sa
pit Price, resuming his pipe. 81 heard fell
le- say to-day that thar war lots OF it around.
nd "Py schimminy | would like to get
", said his companion. at vas good effe
in ware / CO."
te al know feller what's got some of t
y. stuff" said Price, in low tone "but
of lives a mile from here. Ye could buy it
IN him, | reckon"
"For how much 2" said Carl
"Oh, may be one-half,' returned t
he other. al can't say. It's bad stuff to dt
es with, ye know, and never touch it,
an "One-half You mean two dollars
10 one Py shimminy will give two hu
m. dred tollars for four and get myself rich
,st cried the peddler.
ad Price smiled.