The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-02-20
COunterfeitS.

During the past decade strange
people have moved to some OF the
quiet places of the far south and
Brandle county has had its share oI
them. AS q rule they brought north
ern energy into lazy neighborhoods,
and they prospered accordingly, get,
ting good liviugs where nature was
kind, and laying up something for
rainy days.
Brandle is also the name of the
county seat, one of the delightful old
towns where it is always afternoon
except when asleep at night.
But tor whole hour one day 1t
woke up.
John Heath was the States attorney.
He was a young man who had inner
uncle, old Judge Bodge.
Heath was looking at the world
American fashion over the toes of his
boots and Sheriff Tom Price came in
and asked if there was anything new.
Now, sheriff." was the reply, why
ask that? You know the only thing
that goes on in this office is the clock. "
Same down my way. Pm think
ing of hiring somebody to commit a
crime so as TO have company"
Just then curious-looking person,
medium in height, shoulders bent,
hair gray almost to whiteness, face
wrinkled and yellowish, entered
almost on run.
My name is Faith-William Faith"
he said. Used to live in Wisconsin,
L,,k l. oc1, /
looked for warmer climate and
moved down here. YOU'RE the law
officer, amt you? Yes. Well, l
bought small place about five miles
out of town for S2O0O, paid $1,000 down
and gave mortgage. A month ago
I got the rest of my money from
Wisconsin and put it in the bank
here. Day before yesterday three
men came along and wanted to buy
the place-otfered me $4,000 If could
show | was able to pay the mortgage
off. SO came to town yesterday
aud got the money, and this morning
we struck the bargain and they count
ed out their cash and I counted out
mine and they put it oil in box and
sealed it and give it TO my daughter
Nldtilua W hCcp uutii to'"oiio", out
after they left we got kinder curious
and"
"You opened the box and found
nothing but paper" interrupted Heath.
"Old man, you have been buncoed-
swindled."
Mr.. Faith fell back in his chair as
If in faint, but suddenly he jumped
up, eXclaming, "rhere they 20, now!
There they 60, now!" and tore out of
the office after them, the sheriff and
Health following and all shouting at
three men in a wagon.
The men evidently did not know
exactly what to do. Apparently they
first meditated fight, but when they
saw Sheriff Price draw from the recess
ses of his wardrobe an ugly looking
gun, discretion made them ha t., and
where the team stopped was almost in
front of the Brandle bank.
At that moment the eXcitment was
greatly intenitied by the appearance
of fiaXen haired, blue-eyed and alto
gether attractive young woman, wing
was crying Historically and asking
her father If they would get back their
money.
One of the three men in the wagon
jumped down and asked Mr.. Faith If
he would talk the matter over
privately. He invited Mr.. Faith into
the bank, and with perfect sangfroid
asked the cashier if they might use
the private room for few minutes.
Miss Faith insisted on accompany
ing her father, and when he said it
was not necessary she replied, with
great temper: you've made fool
of yourself once to-day, and you shan't
do it again if can help it,"
After the interview, which lasted
less than ten minutes, Mr.. Faith came
out with his daughter close behind
him. When he started for the door
she grabbed him by the coat and said:
mo, you don't. Put the money back
in the bank-every cent Of it. Don't
20 out with it, or you'll lose it again."
The old man acted as if dazed, but
did as he was bid, and showed through
the grating. 10 new one-hundred-dollar
notes. The cashier looked at them
sharply, then put them under
microscope, and finally said: II don't
like this new money, it may be count
erfeit."
They're the bills we got from you,"
said the we'll dressed man, speaking
to Mr.. Faith.
"That's lie," was the response.
II gave you the ones 1 got from the
bank, and you know those weren't the
ones," addressing the cashier.
The cashier corroboraIed him.
The well-dressed man seemed knock
ed out and called his associates in.
There was hurried conference and
they asked to have another conference
with Mr.. Faith. 1t was granted, aud
the young lsdy again stood by her
father, to the manifest admiration of
the gathered population.
She came out with him and steered
him straight to the cashiers desk and
another pile OF notes was pushed
through The grating.
"This is the money [ paid out to
you yesterday, " was the comment of
cashier, whom the excitment was max.
ing 80 nervous that he had to say
something or faint.
"That's right, said Mr.. Faith.
"And you can give that oher stuff
Oack W the uleu. ouly "aut my
own and 1 feel pretty low down
ashamed for making sucn fool ofmy-
self"
Here Heath and the sheriff, who
had been watching the proceenings
and had kepta faithful eye upon the
three men, came forward.
"Iou are ready now to swear out
a warrant against these men," said
Heath to Mr.. Faith.
'Father" said the girl, "don't you
do another thing, but come right