The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-07
SAVED BY THREE HALF DOLLARS
Erom the Chicnno Hernld


During the year IS, the more prosper
Gus parts of Indiana were flooded with
counterfeit coin. 1t was we'll manufact-
ured, and passed readily. The evil became
80 great that the United States authorities
were stirred up, and 1 was sent. as COM
petent detective, to ferret ont the nest of
coiners
l had next to nothing to guide me. Ihad
but one solid fact, and that was that the
Punche town races were coming on, and
my past experience told me that bad money
often circulated readily among the happy
punters.
Accordingly, thither proceeded. l spent
four days in the vicinity aud got nothing
for my pains. | could not even lay my
hands on single piece of counterfeit coin,
much less clap my claws on the culprits.
began TO grow discouraged, and really
thought | should be obliged to return home
without having achieved any result. One
day received letter from my wife re-
questing that | would send her some money,
as she was out OF funds.
went into Il bank and asked for draft
at the same time handing a sum of money
to pay tor it, in which there were several
half dollars. The clerk pushed three of the
half dollars back to me.
Counterfeit, he said.
"Wbat," said |. do you mean to tell
me those half dollars are counterfeit"
81 do.n
Are you certainW
Perfectly certain. They are remarkably
well executed, but they are deficient in
weight. See for yourself"
And he placed one in the scales against
genuine half dollar on the other side. The
latter weighed down the former.
This is the best executed counterfeit
coin ! ever saw in my lite," | exclaimed =,
examining them closely. SIS all the
counterfeit coin in circulation here of the
same character as this"
30! dear, no" replied the clerk sit is
not nearly SO well done. These are the
work of Ned Willett, the famous Wabash
counterfeiter. | know them well, for
handled great many of them in my time.
Here is some of the money that is in circu-
lation here,n he added, taking several dol
lars from a drawer.
You see the milling is not nearly as per-
feet as Ned Willett's, although 1t is pretty
well done, too"
| compared the two and found that he
was right. supplied the place of the three
counterfeit half dollars with good coin and
returned the former TO my pocket again.
4 few days after this received intorma-
ton which caused me to take journey to
village situated about four miles from
IuuCucSJOWu. uIEiNeu there at DlgQb ana
took up my quarters at the only tavern in
the place.
1t was wretched dwelling aud kept 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 for the night, noticed
that The host gave peculiar look at his
wife, and after some whispering | was in-
formed in the most ungracious manner pos
sible that | could have bed.
Presently l Logan to grow weary, and
throwing myself on my pallet l was soon
plunged into q deep slumber. How long ]
slept know not, but l was awakened by a
dull sound which resembled some one ham
mering in the distance.
l suppose it was the popularity of the
sound which woke me, for it was by no
means loud, but conveyed to me the idea OF
some one striking iron with a muffled ham
mer.
rose up from my bed and went to the
window. The sound l have referred to
reached me more distinctly than when in
the back part Of the chamber. II appeared
TO come from some Outhouses which were
situated about 100 yards distant from the
house.
Now, l am naturally of an inquiring
mind, and this sound, occurring, as it did,
in the middle Of the night, in such a re-
mote, out-of-the-way place, piqued my
curiosity, and felt an Irresistible desire to
90 aud discover the cause of it.
A few steps brought me into the lower
apartment, which [ found entirely deserted.
/ crept quietly to the door, aud, christening
it without making the slightest noise, was
soon In the moonlight.
Not soul was visible. but the sound still
continued and grew more distinct At last