Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-10-11


some were working at forge, other
were experimenting the casting OF
moulds, and some were engaged In
the process of milling coin. In a
moment the whole truth burst upon
me. Here was the gang of counter.
feiters l was in search of, and the
landlord and his wife evidently be,
longed to the same band, for in one
corner l perceived them employed,
the man polishing off some ''goldn
pieces, just turned from the moulds,
while the woman was packing the
finished coins into rolls
had seen enough, and was about
to return to my apartment again,
when suddenly l felt a heavy hand
placed upon my shoulder, and turning
my head round, to my horror found
myself in the grasp of as Unlocking 8
scJ1nlrel as ever escaped the gailOws.
"What are you doing here, you
---:" he exclaimed in a grutl
EOicc, giving me a shake.
Taking stroll by moonlight" ]
replied, endeayorlng to maintain my
presence Of mind.
well, perhaps you'll just take
stroll in here, will you?" returned
the ruf1lan, pushing open the door
and dragging me after him.
All the inmates of the barn i'm
mediately stopped work and rushed
toward US when they saw us.
why what's this?" they all ex.
claimed.
~ loafer found peeping outside"
said the man who had captured me
lies traveller that came to the
tavern tonight and asked for lodg.
ingS. The last time | saw him he
was safe in bed" sad the landlord.
The men withdrew to 4 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 keep.
ing guard over me said nothing, but
scOwled fercely l had not uttered
single word during all the time l had
been in the barn. was aware that
whatever l might say would in all
probability only do more harm than
good, and it has always been maxim
of mine TO hold my tongue when IN
doubt. At last the discussion seemed
TO be settled. for the blackest and
dirticst Of the whole gang came for,
ward, and without any introduction
exclaimed:
Gwen soon put an end to you"
dill not move 4 muscle, nor ute,
a.worL
You have found out our secret,
and dead men tell no tales"
was still silent.
I'VE will give you ten minutes tt
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.
membered something that might save
my life. ! burst into a violent 1T 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,
anyhow" said ono.
Il 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 exclaimed.
"Or drunk" said some.
"WeI. boys" / cried, speaking for
the first time. "this is the best Joke
l ever seed. What, hang a pal?"
"a pal-you a pal?"
Il amt nothin else" was my elc.
CANT rejoiuder.
whats your name?"
"Did you never hear of Ned Willett:
I asked.
You may be certain Of that.
Amt he at the head of our profes.
SION"
well. then, I'm Ned Willett."
"You, Ned Willett:" they all ex.
claimed.
"YOu may bet your life on that" l
returned, staggering up TO the corner
where ! had seen the old woman
packing the counterfeit coin.
Fortune fayorc me. None of the
men present had ever seen Ned vii.
lett, although his reputation was
known TO them, and my staggering,
insOlent manner had somewhat thrown
them of their guard, yet l could
plainly see that all their doubts were
not removed.
"And you call these things we'll
done, do you?" ] asked. taking up
roll of money. We'll, all 1 can say
is, that II you can't 90 better than
this you had better shut up shop,
that's all"
Can you show Us anything better?"
asked one Of the men.
II rayther think can. If couldn"
I'd go and hang myself"
Lets see it, they all cried.
This was my last coup, and one on
which knew my life depended.
"LOokee here, gentlemen" 1 ex-
claimed, taking one of the counterfeit
half-sOvereigns from my pocket which
had been rejected at the bank, "here's
lay last job:what do you think Of it?H
1t was passed from hand to hand,
some saying 1t was no counterfeit at
all, Others saying that it was
"IIOw will you prove that it is a
counterfeit?" asked one OF them.
"By weighing it with a genuine
one" l 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 tia
other two from my pocket
All their doubts now vanished.
" Beautiful exclaimed some.
"Splendid, begorra"
When they had examined them to
their satisfaction. they all of them
cordially shook me by the hand, every
particle of doubt having vanished
from their minds.
l carried out my part well. Some
questions were occasionally asked me,
involving some of the technicalities
OF the business; these however, !
avoided by stating that 1 was on a
Journey of pleasure and wOuld much