Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-12-31


his wife evidently belonged to the
same band, for in one corner | per-
ceived them employed, the man polish
ing 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
return TO my apartment again, when
suddenly / felt q heavy hand placed
on my shoulder, and turning my head
round, to my horror found myself in
the grasp of as Unlocking a scoundrel
as ever escaped the gallows.
What are you doing here, my good
fellow ?" he exclaimed in gruH voice,
giving me shake.
Taking a stroll by moonlight l
replied, endeavorlng to maintain my
presence of mind
Well, perhaps, you'll just take a
stroll IN here, will YOU ~ returned the
ruifian, pushing open the door and
dragging me in after him.
AL the inmates of the barn immedi-
ately stopped work and rushed toward
us when they saw me.
Why, what's this ?r they all ex-
claimed.
A loafer found peeping outside"
said the man who had captured me
He's traveller that came to the
tavern tonight and asked for lodg-
ings; the last time | saw him he was
safe in bed" said the landlord.
The men withdrew to corner of the
apartment, leaving one to keep guard
over me. / soon saw they were in
earnest consultation, and they were
evidently debating some important
question. The man keeping guard
over me said nothing, but scowled
tiercely. | had not uttered a single
word during all the time had been in
the barn. | was aware that whatever
| might say would in all probability
only do more hahn than good, and it
has always been a maxim of mine to
hold my tongue when i'm doubt. At
last the discussion seemed TO be settled
for the blackest and dirtiest of the
whole came forward, and without any
introduction exclaimed:
| say. stranger, look here-you
must die ~
did not move a muscle nor utter
word.
You have found out our secret and
dead men tell no tales"
was still silent.
eve give you ten minutes to say
your prayers, and will allow you the
privilege of saying whether you will
be hanged or shot"
Suddenly an idea struck me. re-
membered something that might save
my life. / burst into a violent fit Of
laughter in fact, it was hysterical,
but they did not know that. They
looked from one to the other in the
greatest amazement.
Well. he takes it mighty cool, any
how" said one.
suppose he don't think we are in
earnest" said another.
Come, stranger. you had better say
your prayers said the man who had
first spoken. Time fiies.n
My only reply was fit of laughter
more violent than the last.
That mans mad p they exclaimed.
cor drunk" said some.
Well, boys" ] cried. speaking for
the first time. /" this is the best joke |
ever seed. What, hang a pal ~
A pal-you a pal ?"
II amt nothing else,' was my ele-
giant rejoinder.
What is your name ?'
Did you ever hear Of Ned Willett,"
| asked.
g You may be certain of that. Amt
he at the head of our profession ?''
Well, then, Pm Ned Willett.r
:" fou Ned Willett ?'' they all ex-
claimed
You may bet your life on that.o |
returned, staggering up to the corner
where ! had seen the old woman count
ing and packing the counterfeit half
dollars.
Fortune favored me. None Of the
men present had ever seen Ned Will
lett, although his reputation was well
known to them, and my staggering,
insolent manner had somewhat thrown
them off their guard, yet | could
plainly see th1t all their doubts were
not removed.
And you call these 6sings well
done, do you ?' | asked. taking up a
roll of the money. Well, ali can
say is that if you can't do better than
this you had better shut up shop, that's
all.''
Can you show us anything better 20
asked one of the men.
'fI rayther think can. If L
couldn't I'd 60 and hang myself"
Let's see it,n they all cried.
This was my last coup, and one on
which / knew my life depended.
Lookee here, gentlemen / ex-i
claimed. taking one of the counterfeit
half-d0llars from my pocket which had
been rejected at the bank, here'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 win you prove it is counter.
felt ~ asked one of the men.
BY weighing it with geEuinel
one.o / replied.
This plan was Immediately adopted
and its character proved.
Perhaps he got this by accident,
/ heard one Of the men whisper to an
other.
Try these" said I. taking the other
two from my pocket
All their doubts now vanished.
Beautiful - exclaimed some.
Splendid - said others.
When they had examined it to their
satisfaction they all of them cordially
shock me by the hand, every particle
of doubt having vanished from their
minds.
carried out my part well. Some
questions were occasionally asked me,
involving some of the technicalities of
the business; these. however, I
avoided by stating that I was on a