The Democratic advocate., 1881-03-26
Select StOrg.
THE COINERS OF KANSAS.

Several years ago, and shortly after the
reconciliation of silver, couuterieiting re-
ceived a wonderful impetus, and the west
and south especially were flooded with
bogus coin.
The large featiug 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 De
tective Service became satisfied of the To-
cation of at least one gang ofthe "Sharps
and Jack Densmore, an experienced agent,
was instructed to visit the State Kansas
inCratiate himself with the eounterfeiters
and learn Of their haunts and habits.
The duty was dangerous one, but the
man selected to perform it had faced dan
ger. and even death, too often among Eas.
terra criminals to hesitate a moment; and
so it happened that, upon 4 certain haEy
September evening, Dsnsmore, disguised
as Dutch peddler, dropped from the west
ward-bound train on the X. p Road, at
the little station Of Black Wolf, in Kansas.
For moment be gaEed after the retreat
ing cars, then turned, and in broken Eng
lish inquired of the station agent the route
to Wildwood Tavern
II vas what you call sthrange nit dis
part de koundry," said the Pcdd!er' smil-
ing: "but frient cv mine up de river, he
say 20 to Wildwood Tavern, und you sold
lots of goots IN that koundry.
"Wall, Duchy, | don reckon you'll do
much trade, bat | ken tell you the road,
If yer gOin.
So saying, the rough Westtraer gave
the necessary directions, and, ia 'ie sloam-
ing, Densmore disappeared.
"Tn try every house from here to Wild
wood. muttercd he, when out Of hearing,
abu, In find Prices That's the name
Price. Aud when that's foaod, look out
III can capture Dick Price, my fr,uae's 5
made
Al 9 O'Clock Carl-for 50 be called him
self--sough, shelter at a settlers cabin by
the roadside, and paid for a supper, lodg-
ing and breakfast with gauky lace. Al,
noon he paused again to eas and trade, and
again many times during tie forenoon.
Before night be had heard the nam- Of
Price; aud before night, too, several pieces
Of eounterfeii coin had been passed upon
him. He was nearing his game.
IL was a little after sundOwn, and With
weary tread Densmore was climbing up
long hill, where the struggling road was
frinsed with bushes aud woods, wheu
step startled him, and moment later
slender boy was at bis side.
"How you vas, litSle ?" said the detee-
tive dose was n nice noighi ?
"Yes, sir, said the youth looking at
him sharply. Where are You going
me gOin'? O. vas gOin' to sell de
tings in mine pack. vas goin to git
rich, aud the peddIer ehuckled.
"No, | mean tonight Where are you
going 70 s,ay?" said the boy. This road
stops ia the woods here
Deusmore paused
"De road stops Py sehimminy Den
dot road got himself lost at de las turn.
l fought dis road went fro desc woods to
de place you calls de tavern, hey ?"
30, you mean Wildwood Tavern? That's
over that way" and the boy pointed into
the darkness. sits FIVE miles from here "
"Py sehimmiuy !" sighed poor Carl;
five miles nefer get dere tO,noight.
| sleep init desc woods, and he began to
unpaek 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.
"Ah, dot vas good poy, said Dutchy,
gladly. ''Dot vas nice; und get supper,
too, don't it?'
Il reckon, replied the boy.
ReshOuldering his pack, the two contin-
ued to follow the road, the youth leading,
until, half mile further on, cabin ap-
peared in the shadows.
Here's my house, said the guide go
to the door, and Ill run and tell father"
aud he disappeared toward the barn.
Densmore looked sharply about him.
This was Prices. A long, low cabin,
strongly built, with small barred windows,
a barn back of it, dreary woods upon all
sides. A regular den. The detective
shuttered.
"a bad hole; yet he's the chief If |
can catch him, with the dies, it will de-
stroy the gang
Their with resolution to succeed or
perish he slowly moved toward the door.
As he raised his hand to knock, it was
suddenly opened. A heavily-built, heavi-
ly-bearded woodsman stood before him-a
man with skill and cunning in his face,
and desperate, threatening courage in
his eyes-a devil to dare, giant to do
Dick Price. He glowed upon the ped
dler, shading the Hickering torch he held
with one brawny hand, while his piercing
glance searched Deusmore's face.
"What dye want ?"