Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-01-17

IOf III WAS DN no means lOuu, Duu COll-
veyed to me the idea of some ono
striking iron with mulfled hammer.
! rose up from my bed and went to
the window: the moon was low in the
western horizon, by which fact knew
that it must be near morning. The
sound I referred to reached me more
distinctly than when in the back part
of the chamber. 1t appeared to come
situated about 100 yards from the
house.
Now, I am naturally of an inquiring
mind, and this sound, occurring as it
did in the middle of the night, in such
a remote, out t-of-the-way place, piqued
my curiosity, and | felt an irresistible
desire to go out and discover the cause
of it. This desire, as the sound con-
tinued, grew upon me with such inten-
sity that | resolved to crafty it at once.
/ put on my boots, the onl Y articles
of attire | had discarded and cauti-
ollsly opening the door of my chamber,
noiselessly descended the rickety stair
case A few steps brought me into
the lower apartment, which | found
entirely deserted.
| crept quietly to the door, and un-
fastening it without making the
slightest noise, was soon in the moon
light.
Not soul was visible, but the sound
still continued. and grew more distinct
as | approached the place from whence
it proceeded. At last | found myself
before a long, low building through
the crevices of which | could perceive
a lurid glare issuing. | stopped down
and peered through the keyhole, and
to my extreme surprise | saw half a
dozen strong g-lOoking men with their
coats off and sleeves turned up, per-
forming a variety of strange occupa-
tons. Some were working at forge,
others We're experimenting the casting
of mOldS, and some were engaged in
the process of milling coin. In mo-
ment the whole truth burst upon me.
Here was the gang of counterfeiters |
was in search of, and the landlord and
his VII - ".. 81 belonged to the
sam y: d. enc c":ner | per
cr,v,d t@"rt ,e"' ..Hfi thn man 'rl ST.
in.s o. some la!l &" II" ll"'"S. just
turuj d from the ni :.3@ Vile the
Nt'n&n Was pac king t." iilSjird COINS
jn' ro!,3
had seen enough, asd was about to
Icturn to ny Il. Srllnent AL Whcn
s1,tGcny / fc', u heavy hA:.d r5a"cd
on M - ul' T.. and turniH& my head
loird to nly horror folHd myself in
tho grasp of as ill-lool>ing a scoundrel
us e. e. esca ed the galoWS.
" What are YOU doing here, my good
fellow ." he eXr!im"d in a grulf voice,
giving me shake.
Taxing a :troll by moon!ight,' l.
replied, en'caro;ing to maintain my
presence of mind.
We'll, per- aps, you'll Just take a
stroll in here viii vou?' returned the
r,fIian, pushing open the door and
dragging me in after him.
All the inmates of the barn immedi-
ateIv stopped work and rushed toward
us when they saw me.
"Nhy, what's this % they all eX-
claimed.
GA loafer | found peeping outside"
said the man who had captured me.
He's a traveller that came to the
tavern tonight and asked for lodg-
ings the last time I saw him he was
safe in bed'' said the landlord.
The men withdrew to a 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
ouestio The man keeping guard
ever me said nothing. but scowled
fercely. | had not uttered a single
word during all the time had been ins
the barn. | was aware that whatever
| might say would in all probability
only do more halm than good, and it
has always been a maxim OF mine to
hold my tongue when in doubt. At
last the discussion seemed to be settled
for the blackcst and dirtieSt of tho
whole came forward and without any
introduction exclaimed:
say, stranger, look here-you
must die''
| did not move muscle nor utter
w0Id.
You have found out our secret and
dead men tell no tales"
] was still silent.
owe 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. I re-
memhered something that might save
my life. | burst into a violent lit Of
laughter: in fact, it was hySteiiral,
but they did not know tat. They
looked from one to the other in the
greatest ama2cncnt.
"Well, he takes 1t mighty cool, any
how" said one.
81 suppose he don't thin! we are in
earnest" said another.
Come, stranger YOU had better say
your praye.s," said tho ma. WHO had
frt spoken. ''l'imn H'c+."