Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1890-09-03
THE COINERS.

manufactured that il passed readily. The
evil at last became so great that the United
States authorities requested IA ssillful de
tective might be sent TO ferret out the nest
of coiners. | was fixed upon to perform
that duty.
had nothing TO guide me. The fact,
however, that Chicago was the city where
the counterfeit coin was the most album
dant led me 10 suspect that the manufae-
tory might be somewhere within its lin
its. IL was therefore TO the capital of the
west that | first proceeded. | spent i've
weeks in that beautiful city, but without
gaining the slightest clew of the counter
feiters.
began to grow discouraged, and really
thought | should be obliged 10 return
home without having achieved any result.
One day received a letter from my wife
requesting that | would send her home
some money, as she was out OF funds. l
went into bank and asked for draft, at
the same time handing sum OF money to
pay for it, in which there were several half
dollars. The clerk pushed three of the half
dollars back TO me.
Counterfeit" said he.
what" said /, ''do you mean TO tell me
those half dollars are counterfeit
81 do"
Are you certainr'
Perfectly certain. They are remarkably
well executed, but they are deficient In
weight See for yourself"
And he placed one of them in the scales
against a genuine half dollar on the other
side. The latter weighed down the former.
THAT is the best executed counterfeit
coin ever saw in my life," ! exclaimed,
examining them very closely. rs all the
counterfeit money in circulation here OF
the same character as this"
"Oh, dear, no." replied the clerk, lit is
not nearly so well done. These are the
work Of Ned Willett, the famous New York
counterfeiter. | know them well, for
have handled great deal of it in my time
Here is some Of the money that is in circu-
lation here" he added, taking several half
dollars from drawer. you see the mill
ing is not nearly as perfect as Ned Will
lett's, although 1t is pretty well done, too. "
/ compared the two together and found
that he was right. l supplied the place Of
the three counterfeit half dollars with
good coin and returned the former TO my
pocket again.
A few days after this received informa-
ton which caused me to take a journey TO
avillage situated about thirty miles from
Chicago. | arrived there at night and took
up my quarters at the only tavern in the
place Il was wretched dwelling and
kent by an old man and woman, the
surliest couple think it has ever been my
lot TO meet. In answer to my inquiry as
to whether could have lodging there fol
the night noticed that the host gave a
peculiar look at his wife, and after SOME
whispering was informed in the most un
gracious manner possible that ] could
have bed.
have frequently in the course Of m,
life been Obliged to put up with wretchet
accommodation. so | did not allow m!
equanimity of temper to be destroyed b!
the miserable fare set before me, and TIT
still more miserable sleeping apartment
into which | was ushered after had con
cluded my repast.
The chamber was small in size, and wa
certainly well ventilated, for | could Sc
the stars peeping through the roof. Tn
bed was simply a bag Of straw thrown int
one corner OF the room. without sheets o
covering of any kind. This last fact, how
ever, was not OF much consequence, as
was summer time and oppressively hot.
stood fer more than an hour gazing on
Of the opening which served for a window
Before me was spread an immense prairi,
the limits of which / could not see. tn
tavern in which had taken up my abod
appeared to be isolated from all othe
dwellings, and save the croak Of the tire
frog and the hum Of the LOCUST not a SCUM
reached my ears TWAS a beautiful moor
light night, and so bright that / could st
TO read the smallest print.
At last | began to grow weary, an
raallff 1
plunged into a deep slumber. How long
slept know not, but was awakened by
dull sound which resembled some %
hammering in the distance. | suppose
was the peculiarly of the sound whiC
woke me, for it was by no means loud, b.
conveyed to me the idea of some one stri
ing iron with a mufflsd hammer. TO
up from my bed and went TO the windo'
The moon was low in the western horizo
by which fact knew that 1t must be ne
morning. The sound | have referred
reached me more distinctly than when
the back part of the chamber. 1t appear
to come from some outhouses which we
situated about hundred yards from D
house.
Now | am naturally of an fnquiril
mind; and this sound, occurring as ID did
the middle ofsthe night, in such p remo'
out of the way phce, piaued my curiosi
andJ felt an Irresistible desire to go o
ana discover the caise OF it. This desil
as the sound cVtinued, grew upon 1
with euch intensity that rresolved TO q
tify. it at any price.
/ put on my boots, the only articles
attire | had discarded, and cautious
opening the door of my chamber noisele
IL descended the rickety staircase. A 4
steps brought me into the lower apa
ment, which found ,eRtirely deserted.
crept quietly TO the door, and unfasteni
it without making the slightest noise "
soon in the moonlight.
Not a soul was visible, but the sou
still continued and grew more distinct y
approached the place from whence it p
oseded. At last | found myself before
long low building, through the crevices
which could perceive a larid glare is
ing. | stopped down and peered throu