The Dickinson press., 1892-08-06

over HE. soon saw they were in
! earnest consultation, and they were
evidently debating some important
question. The nan keeping guard
over me said nothing, but seowled
fiercely. Ihad not uttered a single
word during all the time l had been in
the barn. l was aware that whatever
might say would in all probability
only do more harm 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 set
tied, for the blackest and dirtiest OF
the whole gang came forward, and
without any Introduction exclaimed
Wen soon put an end to you"
l did not nov q muscle, nor utter
q word.
"You have found out our secret,
and dead men tell no tales"
Twas still silent.
1--WE 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. l burst into q violent fit of
laughter; in fact, it was 'hysterical,
but they did not know that. They
looked from to the other in the great
est nmaZement.
"Well, he takes it mighty cool, any,
how" said one.
81 suppose he don't think we're in
earnest" said another.
My only reply was a fit of laughter
more violent than the first.
"The mans mad!" they exclaim-
ed.
"Or drunk" said some.
well, boys" cried, speaking for
the first time, "this is the best Joke !
eve seed. What, hang a pal?"
"A pal-you q pal?"
"I amt nothing else," was my
9 ,gant rejoinder.
whats your nnme?"
"Did you never hear ofNcd Willett?:"
l asked.
"You may be certain OF that. Amt
he at the head OF our profession?"
"Nell, then, Pm Ned Willett." ,
""You Ned Willett," they all ex-
claimed.
"You may bet your life on that" l
returned, staggering up to the corner
where Ihad seen the old woman pack
in, the counterfeit coin.
Fortune favored me. None of the
man present had seen Ned Willett,
although his reputation was well
known to them, and my staggering,
%insolent manner had somewhat
thrown them off their guard, yet l
could plainly see that their doubts
We're not removed.
"And you call these things welldone,
do you?" | asked taking up q rolhof
money. "Well all l q say is, that
ityou can't do better than this you
had better shut up the shop, that's
all"
"Can you show us anything better?"
asked one OF themen.
81 rayther think l can. III couldn't
I'd go and hang myself"
"Let's see it," they all cried.
This was my last coup, and one on
which knew my life depended.
"Lookeehere, gentleman" Iexclaim-
ell, taking one of the counterfeit half
sovereigns from my l(ocket which had
been rejected at the BANK. "here's my
last job; what do you think OF it?"
1t passed from hand to hand some
saying it was no counterfeit at all,
others saying that it a
GLOW will you proveit is q counter
feit?" asked one OF them.
"Ry weighing it with agenuino one,"
l replied.
This plan was Immediately adopted,
anu its character proved.
perhaps he got this by accident"
l heard M OF the men whisper to
another.
"Try these" said 1. taking the
other two from my pocket.
All their doubts now vanished.
beautiful! exclaimed some.
Splendid, begorra!!" said others.
When they had examined them to
their satisfaction, they all OF them
cordially shook ME by the hand, every
p lrticle OF doubt having vanished
from their minds.
carried out my part we'll. Some
questions were occasionally asked
me, involving some OF the technicalit-
les OF the business; these, however, l
avoided by stating THAT l was on q
journey OF pleasure, and would much
rather drink q glass OF whiskey than
answer questions. The whiskey was
produced, and we made q night of il,
anil it was not until morning had
OWNED that we separated.
The next day l returned to Dublin,
q Ill brought down the necessary as
sistance, and captured the whole gang
OF counterfeiters in the very act. The
del was broken up for ever, and most
OF them were condemcdto serve term
Of years III chokey.
have those counterfeit h%alf-sover-
eigns still in my possession, and in
tend never to part with them, for they
were certainly the means OF saving my
life.