The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-06-23
II. Ceins,s Of kansss.


remonrsiAAilon Of silver, oounterfeiiing nc
eeived vonderfsl impetus, aud the wes
and south especially were flooded With 10
gus coin.
The large floating population and th'
wilderness Of tho border country rendersS
the task o, nnear;hing the coiper- a hart
one, but after several seasons Of persistent
and stoallhy work, the United States De
tective Service became satisfied as TO the
location Of Al least one gang OF tho
'fSbarps," and Jack Densmore, an erper'
fenced agent was instructed TO visit the
State Kansas, ingratiate himself with the
counterfei,ers. and learn Of their haunts
and habits
The duty was a dangerous one, but the
man selected 10 perform il had faced dan
ger, and even death, too often among
eastern criminals 10 hesitate moment;
aud SO it happened that upon certain
hazy September evening, Densmore. dis.
guised as Dutch peddler, dropped from
the westward bound train on the X. r.
road, at the little station Of Black Wolf in
Kansas. For a moment he gazed after the
retreating cars. then turned, and in broken
English inquired of the station agent the
route TO Wildwood Tavern,
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
goois in dot koundry.
Wall, Duchy, don't reckon you'll do
much trade, but ken tell you the road, il
yer goln'.
So saying, the rough Westener gave the
necessary directions, and in the cleaning
Densmore disappeared.
I'll try every house from here to Wild
wood, muttered he, when out of hearing,
but I'll find Prices. That's the name
Price. And when that's found, look out
II can capture Dick Price, my fortunes
made
At nine o'clock Carl, for so he called
himself sought shelter at settlers cabin
by tue roadside, and paid for supper,
lodging and breakfast with gaudy lace
At noon he paused again to eat and trade,
and again many times during the after.
noon. Before night he heard the name o I
Price; and before night, too, several pieces
OF counterfeit coin had been passed upon
him He was nearing his game.
il was little after sundown, aud with
weary tread Densmore was climbing
up long hill, whore the struggling road
was fringod with bushes and woods, when
a step startled him, and q moment later
slender boy was at his side.
How you vas, little feller? said the de-
tective. Dose vas nice noishts
Yes, sir, said the youth, looking at him
sharply. Where are you going9
Me going? o, | vas goin' to sell de
t,ngs in mine pack. vas goin to git rich.
and the peddler chuckled
No, mean tonight Where are you
going to stay? said the boy. This
road stops up in the woods here.
Densmore paused.
De road stops Py schimminy Den
de road got himself lost at dc las turn.
ought dis road went fro desc woods to
dc place you calls de tavern, hey9
o, you mean Wildwood Tavern9 That's
over that way, and the boy pointed into
the darkness. It's Ave miles from here.
Py schimminyl sighed Carl; five miles
| nefier got dere tonight I sleep nit
lese woods, and he begnn to unpack his
strap.
The boy eyed him again sharply. Then
be said No, you needn't sleep in the
woods. live at the end Of this road
Come with me. You can stay at our house
guess.
All, dot vas nice; und got some sup
per, too, don't its !
reckon, replied the boy. d
Re.shouldering his pack, the two con. I
inued to follow the road, the youth lead
ng. until, half mile farther on, cabin i
ppeared in the shadows. 4
Here's my house, said the guide. I
Go to the door, and I'll run and toll O
ather, and he disappeared toward the
arn.
Densmore looked sharply about him. 4
his was Prices. A long, low cabin, I
lrongly built, with small barred windows y
barn back OF it, dreary woods upon all Il
das. A regular den. The detective
hnddered.
A lad hole; yet he's the chief II l can :,
itch him with the dies, II will destroy 4,
le gang.
Then with resolution to succeed or
crish he slowly moved TO the door.
As he raised his hand to knock, il was u.
iddenly opened. A heayily-built, heay- in
y.bcarded voodsman stood before him n
man with skill and cunning in his face,
I'd desperate, threatening courage in Ar
is eyes, a devil to dare, a giant to do III
ick Price He glowered upon the peddlsr Al
lading the fiickering torch he held with Y
IL brawny hand. while his piercing glance
arched Densmore's face.
What dye want Ar
You vas de lettle poy's pa? Dot vas oi
BOT want somet'i ings 10 eat and some N
ings to sleep. DE le,tle psy said so.
nd, with simple nstnralness Carl pushed
ide the mighty door man, entered r,
Ie cabin, threw his pack upon the floor, n
ID with sigh Of relief, dropped on to a VI
" bench near the fire. All, dot vas q,
,ot
For an instant anger famed in Prices ir