The Dickinson press., 1892-08-06

E5IYz IL terfeit coin. 1t was
5NlNIm we'll manufactured,
zesTF@atptAaEala- and passed readily.
The evil became SO
great that even the Dublin authorities
were stirred up, and l was sent, as a
competent detective, to ferret out the
nest OF coiners.~
Ihad next to nothing to guide me.
l had but one solid fact, and that was
that the P%unchestown races were
coming on, and my past experience
told me that bad money often circu-
lated readily among the happy punt
ers. Accordingly, thither l proceeded.
1 spent tour days in the vicinity, and
got nothing for my pains. Icould not
even lay my hands on q single piece OF
counterfeit coin, much less clap my
paws Oh the culprits. Yet.complaints
had frequently been made before my
arrival, that bad money was being
passed there.
Ibegan to grow discouraged, and
really thought l should be Obliged to
return home without having achieved
any result. One day l received a letter
f..om my wife requesting that l would
send her some money, as she was out
OF funds. l went into u bank and
asked for u draft, at the same time
handing n sum OF money to pay for it,
in which there were several half
s overeisns. The clerk pushed three
| oil the hnlf-sowereigns back to me.
"Counterfeit," he said.
"What," said l. "Do you mean to
tell me that those half-soverelgns are
counterfeit"
al do.".
care you certain?"
"Perfectly certain. They are re.
markably we'll executed, but they are
deficient in weight. See for yourself"
And he placed on the scales against
a genuine half-sovereign on the other
side. The latter weighed down the
former.
This is the best executed counterfeit
coin | even saw in my life" 1 exclaim.
ell, examining them very closely: "Is
al counterfeit coin in circulation here
OF the same character as this.
ooh! dear, no." replied the clerk,
cit is not nearly so we'll done. These
are the works OF Ned Willett, the FAM
GUS Cockney counterfeiter. l know
them well, for havehandled q great
many Of them in my time. Here is
some ofthe money that is in circula-
ton here" he added, taking several
thick 'uns from drawer. "You see
the milling is not nearly as perfect as
Ned Willett's, although it is pretty
well done, too"
compared the two, and found that
he vas right. |. supplied the place of
the three counterfeit half-sovereigns
with good coin, and returned, the
former to my pocket again.
A few days after this l received in
formation which caused me to take
a journey to q village situated about
four miles from Punchestown. / ar
rived there ut night. and took up my
quarters at the only tavern in the
pace. 1t was q wretchcd dwelling,
and kept by an old man and woman,
the sur lest couple think it has aver
been my lot to meet. In answer to
my inquiry as to whether | could
have lodging there for the night, 1
noticed that the host gave u peculiar
look at his wife, and after some whis-
p,ring l was informed, in themost UNI
gracious manner possible, that l could
have q bed.
l have Frequently, in the course of
my life, been obliged to put up with
wrctched accommodations so I did not
allow my equanimity OF temper to be
destroyed by the miserable fare
set before ME and the still more
miserable sleeping apartment into
which l was ushered after 1 had con-
c uded my repast.
Presently l began to grow weary,
and throwing myself on my pallet l
was soon plunged'into adeep slumber.
How long l slept l know not, but 1
was awakened by q dull sound, which
resembled someone hammerlng in the
distance. ! suppose it was the peoA-
liarity OF the sound which woke ME
for it was by no means loud, but con-
veyed to mo the idea OF someone
striking iron with n mu1led hammer.
[ rose up from my bed and went to
the window; the moon was low in the
western horizon, by which fact l knew
it must be near morning. The sound
! have referred to reached me more
distinctly than when i'll the back part
Of the chamber. It appeared to come
from some out-houses which were
8 'tuated about q hundred yards dis
t INT from the house.
Now, l am naturally Of all inquiring
mind, and this sound, occurring, as it
id, in the middle of the night, in such
a remote, out-ofthe-way place, piqued
my curiosity, and | felt an irresistible
| d sire to go and discover the cause OF
il. This desire. as the sound contin-
IL d, grew upon me to such intensity
that resolved to gratifyit at any price.
A few steps brought mo into the
lower apartment, which 1 found en-
tire1y deserted. Icrept quietly to the
door, and, unfastening it without
making tine slightest noise, was soon
i the moonlight.
Not n soul was visible, but the
sound still continued. and grew more
utSGiiieU US i appIottileu olAe PletCe
from whence it proceeded. At last
found myself before along, low building
through the creviccs of which l could
perceive a lurid glare issuing. Istoop
ed down and peered through the key.
hole, and to my extreme surprise ]
saw half a-dozen strengthening mer
with their coats off and sleeves
turned up, performing a variety o
strange occupations. Some were
working at n forge, Others were super
intending the casting OF moulds, anc
somewere engaged in the process o
milling coin. In a moment the whole
truth burst upon me. Here was tn,
gang OF counterfeiters l vas in search
OF and the landlord and his wife evi
IDENTIFY belonged to the same band
for in one corner l perceived then
employed, the man polishing Of
some gold" pieces, just turned from
the moulds, while the woman wa
packing the finished coins into rolls.