Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-17


yeou'd better keep yer head shet. As
passed the doctors old shop / see light in
the winder, but the curtain was daown n
couldn't see inside. But I listened.
Every now an then could hear
a steady clink, clink, clink that
sounded like a blacksmith hammering
somethin' kind o. gently on en- anvil.
was a leetle mystifed, but walked right
up an tried the door. 1t was locked
Jerusalem sez 1, here's queer dolngs on
the parsons premises. An jest made up
my mind ter find out what was up. So l
went across the road an hid in clump o
trees an waited an waited. Byme BY, much
as an haour afterward, somebody unlocked
the shop door an come lout. Twas the
parson himselfl He locked the shop an
went inter the hause, an got home an got
to bed at a quahter to o'clock
Rather mysterious" murmured the
Squire. As for Dave Williams, he was too
much surprised to offer word or even to
chuckle.
After long pause the Squire asked Bill
If that was all he knew about the matter.
Not quite. My brother Sam, who keeps
the store, says the parson tried to pass
bogus half dollar on him only yesterday,
an got as red as lobster when Sam
told him the money was no good"
Nothing surprising in that. There Is
so much of the counterfeit coin in circula-
ton it wouldn't be at all strange if some Of
1T got into the contribution box, and thence
into the minister's hands"
wall, by gosh, this thing has got to be
investigated" said the Deputy Sheriff.
There's reward of s., 600 offered for the
arrest of that gang o. eounterfeiters, an
amt the man to let any part of the money
slip through my fingers ef can get hold
of man that makes them pewter pieces,
whether he's parson, or not.
The result of the conference was the de-
eision on the part of the trio to surprise the
clergyman at his mysterious work on that
very night. It he was making counterfeit
coin Deputy Sheriff Williams would arrest
him, taking him in the act, and he and Bill
Bennett would share the reward between
them. Williams was as confident as Bill
that the Rev. Milton Morgan was an inn
postor, doomed to speedy disgrace. Squire
Henderson expressed no opinion, but his
curiosity was sufficient to take him with the
others on their midnight expedition.
There was light in Mr.. Morgan's study,
and the clergyman was busy in the rear
room of the little building, when there
came loud knock at the front door.
"Who is there?"
"No matter who it is" said the Deputy
Sheriff, acting as spokesman for the party.
1--WE have business of importance with
you."
ooh! in that case you can come in" re-
piled CHEEKY voice. "But it strikes me
this is a most unusual hour for the tran
saction of business. Wait an instant-I'n
open the door," said Mr.. Morgan, as the
impatient Williams began knocking again.
"Well, neighbors. this Is indeed sur
prise" exclaimed Mr.. Morgan as the party
entered. "Glad to see you, though. Take
seats and make yourself comfortable" said
he, noting the fact that his visitors were
glancing uneasily and sheepishly around,
apparently at loss what to do or say.
Working on your sermon at this hour?"
asked the Squire.
''Well, hardly. I don't work all the
time on sermons. But there is a bit of
work, rather out Of the line of clerical duty,
that 1 am anxious to finish, and that is why
you find me up so late What can I do for
you, gentlemen?"
"What have you got in the back room?"
demanded the Deputy Sheriff, bluntly.
''Oh, no ! So my little secret is not quite
a secret. I've got something there, Mr..
Williams, that no one save myself and my
wife has ever seen. hardly teel like ex-
hibiting it just YET"
Nothing you're ashamed of, is it, par
son?" ventnred Bill.
Ashamed of? Well, I should say not.
I'm prouder of it than anything ever ac-
complished before. You shall see it-I
know of no good reasons for trying to con-
ceal it, though had thought I would say
nothing about it. But you have surprised
me at my work, so might as we'll tell you
all. Step into the back room," said the
clergyman, leading the way. There, what
do you think of that?" he asked, pointing
to an object in the corner.
GAS pooty piece of machinery as ever
see, by gosh!'' exclaimed the Deputy
Sheriff. 'What's it fur?''
''It's an invention of my own, designed
for use in portion of cotton mill. L
have brother interested in the manufacture
of cloth, and Eve been in his factory good