The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1905-02-16

ana was certainly well Nehtlfntcu, ".
could see the stars peeping through
the roof. The bed was simply a Dag
OF straw thrown into n corner OF
the room. without sheets or covering
OF any kind. This last fact. however,
was not OF much consequence. as II
was summer time. and oppressiyely
hot.
| stood for more than an hour gag
ing out OF the opening which served
TOR a window. Before me was spread
an immense prairie, the limits OF
which l could o ee. The tavern Ia
which | had takea up my abode sp-
peared 10 he isolated from all other
dwellings. and. save the croak OF tho
tree-frog and the hum OF the locust,
not a sound reached my ears. IL was
a beautiful moonlight night. and so
bright that l could see TO read the
smallest print.
At last | began TO grow weary, and
throwing myself on my pallet. | was
oon plunged into a deep slumber
How long | slept | know not. but
was awakened by a dull sound which
resembled some one hammering In the
distance. | suppose IL was the pc
culiarity OF the sound which awoke
me. for II was by no means loud. but
conveyed to me the idea OF some n
striking iron with a mufied hammer.
| rose up from my bed. and went 20
the window; the moon was low In the
western sky, by which fact I knew q
Iaust be neal morning. The sound |
have before referred 10 reached me
more distinctly than when In the back
part OF the chamber. IL appeared to
come from some outhouses which were
situated about one hundred yards from
the house.
Now. l am naturally OF an inqulring
mind. and this sound. occurring as II
did In the middle OF the night In such
a remote out-of-the-way place. piqued
my curiosity. and | felt an Irresistible
desire 10 go out and discover the aus
OF IT, This desire. as the sound con
tlnued. grew upon me with such In
tensity that | resolved to crafty II ~
any price.
l put on my boots. the only article
Of attire I had discarded. and ean.
tiously opening the door OF my cham
Der noiselessly descended the rickefy
staircase. A few steps brought me
into the lower apartment. which l
found entirely deserted | erept quiet
ly TO the door. and unfastsning u
xttfHAVf twaLtu2 Oh. afF.ks-. RAN..
was soon In the moonlight
Not n soul was visible. but this
sound still continued and grew much
more distinct as l approached the
place from whence II proceeded At
last | found myself before a long. low
building. through the crevices OF
which | could perceive a lurid glare
issuing. | stopped down and pe.ped
through the keyhole. and 20 my er-
IRENE surprise I saw half a dozen
strengthening men with their coat
on and sleeves turned up performing
n variety OF strange occupations
Some were working at a forge. Other,
were experimenting the casting OF
molds. and some were engaged In the
process OF milling coin. In q moment
the whole truth burst upon mr. Here
was the gang OF counterfel,ers I was
Ia search OF. and the landlord and his
wife evidently belonged to the same
band. for In one corner perceived
them employed-the man polishing OF
some haif-dollar pieces just turned
from the mold. while the woman was
packing the coin into rolls.
I had seen enough. and was about
to return to my apartment again.
when suddenly I felt a heavy hand
placed ON my shoulder. and turning
my head round. to my horror. found
myself In the grasp OF ms ~ looking
a scoundrel as ever escaped the gal.
"weli. what are you doing here. my
good fellow7" he exclaimed In q grun
voice. giving me q shake
Taking q stroll by moonlight
endea vorfng TO keep my pres
Of mind
well. perhaps you'll just take .
In here. will your returned the
pushing open ths door anil
me In nfter him.
All the inmates Of the barn immcdi-
rtely stopped work. and rushed to-
us when they saw me.
"whyl what Is tbis7' they eI-
"A loafer I found peeping outside"
,ald the man who had captured me.
Hes a traveller that came to the
.avern tonight and asked for lody-
the last time I saw him he was
Iafe In bed" said tho landlord.
The men withdrew to a corner OF
he apartment. leaving n TO keep
guard over me. I 700 saw they were
earnest consultation. and were evil
iently debating some important ques
ion. The man keeping guard over me
aid nothing. but scowled iercely. I
not uttered n single word during
III the time I had been In the barn.
was aware that whatever / might
would In all probability 10 more
iarm than good, and II has always
,een a maxim OF mine to hold my
ongue when In doubt. At last the
discussion seemed TO be settled. for
he blacklist and dirtiest Of the whole
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