The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-06-24


and was certainly well Ventilated. for
could see the stara pesplng through
the root. The bad was simply a bag
OF straw thrown into one corner OF
the room, without sheets or covering
OF any kind This last fact. however.
was not OF much consequence. as 1t
was summer tina and oppreAxively
hot
l stood for more than an hour gaz-
ing out OF the opening which served
for 4 window. Before me was spread
an immense prairie. the limits OF
which could not sen. The tavern In
which had taken up my abode APP
peared to be Isolated from all other
dwellings and, save the croak Of thu
tree-frog and the hum OF the locust,
not q sound reached MY ears. 1t waa
a beautiful moonlight night and 20
bright that could see to read the
smallest print
At last began to grow weary, and
throwing myself on my pallet. was
soon plunged into a deep slumber.
How long l slept 1. know not. but l
was awakened by dull sound which
reSembled some one hammerlng In the
distance. suppose It was the pc
culiartty OF the sound which awoks
me. for 1t was by no means loud, but
conveyed to me the idea of some one
striking iron with a mufied hammer.
1 rose up from my bed, and went to
the window; the moon was low In the
western sky, by which fact l knew It
Inust be near morning. The sound l
have before referred 10 reached me
more distinctly than when In the back
part Of the chamber. II appeared to
come from some outhouses which were
situated about one hundred yards from
the house.
Now, am naturally OF an inqulrtng
mind, and this sound. occurring as 1t
did In the middle Of the night in such
remote out-of-the-way place. piqued
my curiosity. and felt an irresistible
desire TO go out and discover the cause
Of IL This desire, as the sound CON
tiuued. grew upon me with such In
tensity that l resolved to crafty 1t at
any price.
put on my boots. the only article
Of attire / had discarded. and eau.
tiousiy opening the door Of my cham
Der noiselessly descended the rtckety
staircase. A few steps brought me
into the lower apartment. which
found entirely deserted ereyt quiet
" to the door, and christening it
without making the slightest noise
was soon In the moonlight
Not a soul was visible, but the
sound still continued and grew much
more distinct a. approached the
place from whence IT proceeded At
Last found myself before q long. low
building, through the crevices Of
which could perceive q Iurid glare
issuing. l stopped down and peeped
through the keyhola and to my ex-
trems surprise l saw half a dozen
strengthening men with their coats
OF and sleeves turned up performing
q variety OF strange occupa lions.
Some were working at a forge, others
were experimenting the casting OF
molda. and some were engaged In the
process Of milling coin. In 4 moment
the whole truth burst upon me- Here
was the gang Of counterfelters was
In search Of, and the landlord and his
wife evidently belonged to the same
band, for In one corner I perceived
them empyoyed-the man polishing OF
some half-doilar pieces just turned
from the mold. while the woman was
hacking the cofp into rolfa
l had seen enough. and was about
TO return to my apartment again,
when suddenly felt a heavy hand
placed ON my shoulder, and turning
my head round, 10 my horror. found
myself In the grasp OF as III boxing
a scoundrel as ever escaped the gal
lows
We'll. what are you doing here, my
good felIowT' be exclaimed in a grur
voice. giving me q shake
Taking q stroll By moonlight
replied, endeavorfng 10 keep my pres
ence Of mind
We'll. perhaps you'n just take q
stroll In here, viii your returned the
rufaan. pushing open the door AMI
dEhsBlnB me IN hEter MIN.
All the inmates Of the barn immedl-
stely stopped work, and rushed to-
ward rs when they saw me.
Why! what Is thisr' they ez-
claimed
"A Ioafer found peeping outside"
said the man who had captured me.
Hes a traveller that came to the
tavern tonight and asked for Iodx-
iugs; the last time saw him he was
safe In bed" said the landlord.
The men withdrew to = corner Of
the apartment, leaving one to keep
guard over NE. / soon saw they were
in earnest consultation. and were evil
IDENTITY debating some important quss-
tion- The man keeping guard over ne
said nothing. but scowied nsrcely.
had not uttered q single word during
all the time had been in the barn.
was aware that whatever I might
say would In all probability do more
harm than good. and II has always
been q maxim OF mine 10 bold my