The morning call., 1890-08-17

approached the place from whence 1t pro-
ceeded. At last found myself before
long, low building. through the crevlces OF
which could perceive lurid glare lssu-
ing. l stopped down and peered through
the key-hole, and, to my extreme, SURPRISE,
l saw half dozen strengthening men Win
their coats off and sleeves turned up, per-
forming variety of strange occupations.
Some were working at a forge, others were
experimenting the casting OF m0ids, ana
some were engaged in the process Oh mill
ing coin. In moment the Whole truth
burst upon me. Here was the gang Oh
counterfeiters l was in search OF, and the
landlord and his wife evidently belonged
to the same band, for in one corner per-
ceiyed them employed, the man polishing
off some half-dollar pieces, just turned from
the mOlds, while the woman was packing
the finished coins into rolls.
had seen enough and was about TO re-
turn to my apartment again when suddenly
l felt heavy hand placed on my shouider,
and, turning my head round. to my horror
found myself in the grasp OF as n-l0oKlng
a scOundrel as ever escaped the galloWs.
"What are you doing here, my 9ood lei
low? ?" he exclaimed in grutf voice, giving
me shake. -,
"Taking a stroll by moonlight" replied,
endeavoring to maintain my presence oI
"Well, perhaps you'll just take stroll in
here. will you?" returned the Iuffian, push
ing open the door and dragging me in after
him.
stopped work and rushed toward us when
they saw me.
'Why, what is this ?" they all exclaimed
"a loafer found peeping outside" said
the man who had captured me.
''He's traveller that came to the tavern
tonight and asked for lodgings; the last
time l saw him he was safe in bed, said
the landlord
The men withdrew to the corner OF the
apartment, leaving one TO Keep guard over
me. soon saw they were in earnest con-
sultation, and they were evidently debating
some
IMPORTANT QUESTION.
The man keeping guard over me said
nothing. but scowled fiercely. had not
uttered single word during all the time l
had been in the barn. was aware that
whatever L might say would in all probable
ity only do more harm than good, and II has
always been a maxim Of mine to hold my
tongue when in doubt. At last the discus
sion seemed to be settled, for the blacklist
and dirtiest of the whole lot came forward,
and without any introduction exclaimed:
81 say. stranger. look here-you must
dep
did not move muscle nor utter word.
You have found out our secret, and dead
men tell no tales"
l was still silent.
''We give you ten minutes to say your
PRAYERS, and will allow you the privilege
of saving whether you will be hanged or
shot"
Suddenly an idea struck me. / remenl-
bered something that might save my life.
burst into a violent fit OF laughter; IN 1act,
it was hysterical, but they did not know
that. They looked from one to another In
the greatest amazement.
''Well, he takes it mighty cool, anyhow"
said one.
81 suppose he don't think we are in
earnest" said another.
"Come, stranger, you had better say your
prayers" said the man who had hrst
spoken. thine flies"
My only reply was fit of laughter more
violent than the hrst.
"The mans mad!" they exclaimed.
"Or drunk" said some.
"Well, boys" l cried, speaking for the
first time, this is the best joke l ever seed.
What, hang pal?"
ga pal-you pal?
Il amt nothing else," was my elegant
rejolnder.
What is your name?"
ibid you ever hear of
MED wILLETT?"
asked.
you may be certain of that. Amt he at
the head of our professional
well, then. I'm Ned Willett."
'You Ned Wilett?" they all exclaimed.
turned, staggering up to the corner where
| had seen the old woman counting and
packing the counterfeit half-dollars.
Fortune favored me. None of the men
present had ever seen Ned Willett, although
his reputation was well known to them. and
my staggering, insolent manner had some
what thrown them off their guard. yet L
could plainly see that all their doubts were
not removed.
And you call these things we'll done, do
81 / aSEad taking roll Of
money. well, all can say is that if you
can't do better than this you had better
shut up shop, that's all"
Can yun show us anything better?"
asked one of the men.
So l rayther think can. If | couldn't I'd
go and hang myself"
Lets see it," they all cried.
This was my last coup, and one on which
l knew my life depended.
"Lookee here, gentlemen" exclaimed.
taking one of the counterfeit half-dollars
from my pocket which had been rejected at
tine bank, there's my last job; what do you
think of it?"
1t was passed from hand to hand, some
saying it was no counterfeit at all, others
saying that it was.
'How will you prove it is
A COUNTERPART"
Asked one of the men.
by weighing it with genuine one,"
replied.
This plan was Immediately adopted and
its character proved.
Perhaps he got this by accident" I
heard one of the men whisper to another.
'Try these" said l. taking the other two
from my pocket.
All their doubts now vanished.
"Beautifulp' exclaimed some. "Splen-
did !" said others.
When they had examined it to their salts
faction they all of them cordially shook me
by the hand, every particle of doubt having
vanished from their minds.
l carried out my part well. Some aues-
tons were occasionally asked me, involving
some of the technicalities of the business:
these, however, avoided by stating that |
was on journey of pleasure, and would
much rather drink glass of whisky than
answer questions. The whisky was pro-
duced, and we made time of it, and it was
not until morning dawned that we separ-
ated.
The next day returned to Chicago and
brought down the necessary assistance and
captured the whole gang of counterfeiters
in the very act The den was broken up
forever, and most of them were condemned
to serve term of years in the State Prison.
l have these counterfeit half-dollars still
in my possession, and intend never to part
with them, for they were certainly the
means of saving my iife.-Yankee Blade.
l-.- IL. n