The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-01-25
A PRETTY CRIMINAL.

CEVERAL years ago, and shortly
- after the reconciliation of silver,
counterfeiting received a wonderful i'm
petus, and the West and South especially
were flooded with bogus coin.
The large floating population and the
wilderness of the border country render
ed the task of unearthing the coiners a
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, an
experienced agent, was instructed to
visit the State (Kansas), ingratiate him.
self with the counterfeiters, and learn of
their haunts and habits.
The duty was dangerous one, but
the man selected to perform it had faced
danger, and even death, too often among
Eastern criminals to hesitate moment;
and so it happened that, upon certain
hazy September evening, Densmore, dis
guised as Dutch pedlar, 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 retreating cars, then turned,
and in broken English enquired of the
station agent the route to Wildwood
Tavern.
"I vas what you call strange NIT dis
part de koundry," said the pedler, smil-
ing {" but frient of mine up the river,
he say go to Wildwood Tavern, and you
sold lots of goods in dot koundro."
"Wall, Dutchy, don't reckon yell
do much trade, but I ken tell ye the
road, if yer goin'."
So saying, the rough Westerner gave
the necessary directions, and, in the
cleaning, Densmore disappeared.
"I'll try every house from here to
Wildwood" muttered he, when out of
hearing, 'but I'll find Prices. That's
the name-Price. And when that's
found, look out If can capture Dick
Price, my fortunes made"
At nine o'clock Carl-for so he called
himself-sought shelter at a settlers
cabin by the roadside, and paid for
supper and 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 climb
ing up long hill, where the struggling
road was fringed with bushes and woods,
when step startled him, and moment
later slender boy was at his side.
How you vas, little feller ?" said the
detective. "Does vas nice noight."
Yes, sir" said the youth, looking at
him sharply. Whereare you going S''
"Me goin'? o, vas goin' to sell de
tings in mine pack. vas goin' to get
rich" and the pedlar chuckled.
"No, mean tonight. Where are
you going to say ?" said the boy. "This
road stops up in the woods here"
Densmore paused.
Ode road stops Ply shimminy Den
dot road got himself lost at the las turn
L fought dis road went through 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. "It's five
miles from here"
"Py shimminy |" sighed poor Carl
five miles neffer get dere tonight
1 sleep NIT desc woods" and he began
to unstrap his pack.
The boy eyed him again sharply. Then
he said, No, you needn't sleep in the