LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2336, 28 September 1881, Page 4

LITERATURE.

THE COINER 5 ! OF KANSAS. A Detective’s Stoey. Several years ago, and shortly after tho remonetisation of silver, counterfeiting received a wonderful impetus, and the West and South especially wore flooded with bogus coin. ”he large floating population and the wilderness of the border country rendered the task of unearthing the coiners a _hard one but after several seasons of persistent and stealthy work tho United States Detective Service became satisfied as to the location of at least one gang of the “ sharps,” and Jack Densmoro, an experienced agent, was instructed to visit tho State (Kamas), ingratiate himself with the counterfeiters, and learn of their hannts and habits. Tho duty was a dangerous one, but the man selected to perform It had faced danger, and even death, too often among Eastern criminals to hesitate a moment; and so it happened that, upon a certain hazy September evening, Denamoie, disguised as a Dutch peddler, dropped from the westward-bound train on tho Kansas Pacific railroad at the 11 tie station of Black Wolf, in Ks* as. For a moment he gazed after the retreating cars, then turned, and in broken English inquired of tho station agent the route to tho Wildwood Tavern. ‘ I vas vot yau call shdrange mid dis hart of do gauntry,’ said tie peddler, smiling, < but a frlondt ov mine up de river, he say “go down to Vildvoot Tavern, und you soldt lots of goots in dot gooutry.” * * Wall, Dutohy, I don’t reckon yor’ll do much trade, bun I kit tell ye the road, if yer goin’.' So saying, the rough Westerner gave the necessary directions, and in the gloaming Densmoro disappeared. • I’ll try every house from here to Wildwood,’ muttered he, when out of hearing, • bat I’ll fi'd Price’s. That’s the name— Price. And when that’s found, look out I If I can capture Dick Price my fortune will be made.’ At nine o’clock Carl—for to he called him self—sought shelter at a settler’s cabin by the roadside, and paid for supper, lodging, and breakfast with gaudy looe. At coon he paused again to eat and trade, and still again many times during the afternoon Before night he had heard the name of Price, and before night, several pieces of counterfeit coin had been passed upon him.

He was nearing his game. It was a little after sundown, and with weary tread Densmore was climbing up a long hill where the straggling road was fringed with bushes and woods, when a step startle 1 him, and a moment later a slender boy was at his side. ‘ How yon vas, little feller ?’ said the detective, • Dose vaa a nice noightP ‘ Yes, sir,’ said the youth, looking at him sharply. ‘ Where are yon going ? ’ *Me goin’ 7 Oh, I vas goin’ to sell the tings in mine pack. I vas goin’ to get rich,’ and the pedlar chuckled. * No, I mean to night. Where are you going to stay ? ’ said the boy. ‘ This road stops np in the woods there.” Densmore paused. I De road stops ! Py schimminy! Den dot road got himself lost at the las’ turn. I fought dis road went fro’ desa voods to de blaoe yon call de Tavern, hey ?’ * Oh, you mean Wildwood Tavern ? That's over that way,' and the boy pointed into the darkness. * it’s five miles from here.’ ‘Py schimminy ! ’ sighed poor Carl ; ‘five miles! 1 neffer get dere to-night. I sleep mlt deae woods,’ and ho began to unstrap his pack. The boy eyed him again sharply ; then he said — ‘No, you needn’t sleep in the woods I live at the end of this road. Come with me. You can stay at our house, I guess.’ ‘Ah !’ dob vas a gnot poy,’ said Dntohy, gladly. ‘ Dot vas nice ; und I get some supper, too, don’t it ?’ ‘I reckon,’ replied the boy. Ke-shouldering his pack, the two continued to follow the road, the youth leading, until, half a mile further on, a cabin appeared in the shadows. ‘ Here’s my house,’ said the guide. *Go to the door, and I’ll run and tell father,’ and he disappeared toward the barn. Densmore looked sharply about him. This was Price’s, A long, low cabin, strongly bnilt, with small barrel windows, a barn back of it, dreary woods upon all sides. A regular den. The detective shuddered. * A bad hole; yet he’s the chief. If I can catch him, with the dies. It will destroy the gang.’ Then, with a resolution to succeed or perish, he slowly moved toward the door. As ho raised his hand to knock, it was suddenly opened. A heavily-built, heavilybearded woodsman stood before him —a man with skill and canning in his face," and a desperate, threatening courage in his eyes—a devil to dare, a giant to do—Dick Price. He glowered upon the peddler, shading the flickering torch he held with one brawny hand, while his piercing glance searched Deusmore’s face. ‘ What d’ye want ?' ‘ You vaa de leetle poy’a pa ? Dot vas goot. I vaut somethings to eat und somethings to sleep. De leetle poy said so.’ And with simple naturalness, Carl pushed aside the mighty doorman, entered the cabin, threw his pack upon the floor, and with a sigh tf relief dropped into a low bench near the fire, ‘ Ah, dot vot goot.’ For an instant anger flamed in Price’s face ; but before he could speak a back door opened, end a woman, young, lithe, ' and charming, entered, and with a glance at the man before her, said : ‘ Ah, this is the peddler Will spoke to me of.’ He lost his way, dear, ’ she continued, going to Price and laying her hand upon his arm; • and Will met him on the road, and asked him to stay with us to-night. It’s all right.' The passion died from the man’s face ; the voice of the woman thrilled Carl. The girl and the boy who had guided him were one. She wan the spy of the gang. ‘So yer a peddler, oh?’ said the host, advancing, ‘an’ lost yer way? Wall, yer welcome to our firo and fare ; but I tell ye a little more ceremony will bo better with Dick Price next time. I was nigh ahakin’ yo 1’ and he smiled grimly. Carl smiled, too, ohild-liko and bland, and said ‘ Yaw.’ The host and his companion were amused. ‘ Where’s the boy V asked Price. * He went to the barn,’ replied the woman, as she busied herself preparing the evening meal. ‘He was too tired to eat, and will not be in to night.’ Carl was sure now that that woman and boy were one. A plain and plentiful supper wra served, after which the peddler and his host drew before the open fire, with their pipes. Naturally, the conversation turned upon trade, and Dntohy very willingly told of his success, and even showed the silver which he had gathered during the day. Price picked a piece cf it from his hand. ‘ This ’era's bad,’ said ho. ‘ Yat ! Pat ?' and Oarl leaned forward excitedly. ‘ Oh, yon vas foolin’,’ he continued, examining the coin, ‘Dis will pass,’ ‘lt may pass but it’s counterfeit, all the same,’ said Price. I’m sure of it, * Yell, neffer mind. It’s good enough for me,’ said the peddler, with a smile. ‘ I only vish I had a t'ousand tollars mit it.’ ‘Wall, I reckon ye could get it,’ said Price, resuming his pipe. ‘ I heard a feller say to-day thar war lots o’ it around,’ ‘Py schimminy ! I vould like to get it,’ said his companion. * It vaa good eff-ry vare I go.’ ‘ I know a feller what’s got some of the staff, ’ said Price, in a low tone ; ‘ but he ’lves a mile from here. Yo could buy o’ him, ickon.' r, 'or how much ?’ said Carl. * k maybe, one-half,’ returned the other. tyh. t say. It’s bad stuff to deal with yo ■vpJl- ’ I never touch it.’ ***• . ' I Yon mean two tollars for V ll « ivo tw ° IT* for four, an’ got myself x^ddler. I r ed toila for It 7 ’ erled the '.’saidOarl, ’Show B mlled. ‘ *-o sell, nnd I pay i t how kin ye n_ T er mmd. I j£, ol> ‘ T find him follow what’s got it , totnm .. ’ Vo you want . n in S*

A moment’s consultation with tho woman, and thrice called the peddler to follow. Carl picked up hia pack and climbed tho ladder that led into the loft. There was a shakedown on the floor. • Thar! It’s not tho fines'- bedroom In the world, but ye’ll sleep,’ said Price, laughing. ‘Goodnight.’ • Good night,’ returned Carl. The other disappeared, Deuamoro heaved a sigh. •It’s hard work playing Dutch,’ he muttered. Then ho opened hia paok, and from It drew two heavy revolvers, a bowie-knife, three pairs of handcuffs, and the star of the United States secret service. ‘ I may have work before morning,’ thought he, ‘ and these are good bedfellows. ’ - Ho removed Lis coat, blew ont the candle, and lay down, his mind busy with tho events of the day and in forming some plan for the morrow. While thus engaged, the sound of a door stealthily opened attracted bis attention, and a moment later he heard men’s voices below. Quietly leaving hia bed, ho crept to a knot-kole in the floor and listened, ‘ But tho peddler ?’ It was the woman’s voice. ’Never mind him,’ replied Price. ‘ Ned,’ ho continued, opparantly addressing the new comer, * we’ve a customer up stairs—a Dutch peddler—and he wants four hundred. I’ll bring him to ye In the morning. He’ll buy— ’ The door opened a second time. Pressing bis face close to the floor, Dansmore found that ha could both see and hear. Three sharp-looking, roughly-dressed men entered. ‘ Ha! all here.” said Price, in a Tow tone, ‘ That's good. I want half a thousand of the queer co-nignt, for wa kin send ta the Tavern to-morrow, and the chap np above wants some. Did yon bring tho dies, Bray V Tho man addressed shook hia h sad, * I haven’t been home, an’ jest oomo from Slkhorn. Send Nettie. My old woman will give ’em to her. ’ Price turned to the girl. 4 Aro you afraid to go, Net ?’ ‘ Afraid P* She laughed and touched her bosom, just drawing the butt of a pistol into sight. • Afraid, Dick ? Ye know hotter nor that.’ ‘ Wall, then, my gal, if ye go to Bray’s an’ git the dies, it will help ns ; for, while the boys are coming, I will stay on watch and mill tho hundred we ran yesterday. Ye’ll bo back in an hour. * ‘ Yes, dear.’ And throwing a heavy cloak about her, and incasing her head in a deep hood, the gi>l opened the door and disappeared into the n'ght. Price turned to tho gang. ‘ Boys, go below, fire up, and prepare tho rest o’ the metal. I’ll stay here, an’ when Net comes with the dies we’ll coin. I want a full load to-night, for wo’re almost out. Here, give me a lift. ’ BB be ceased speaking, be seized a heavy Iron bar and thrust it beneath the hearthstone. The others j lined hands with him, and with desperate effort, the five slowly raised the groat stone. Beneath it appeared a door, secured by long iron bolts These being short, and the trap raised, a flight of steps was seen, Tho four strangers descended, one carrying a lantern, and Price dropped the door behind them. Then, opening a sort of hidden closet, ho drew from it a box of rough silver coin and a milling machine with which he began to work. Densmore breathed hard. * Trapped !’ he whispered ‘ trapped ! The gang complete and now for work. ’ Noiselessly he arose and approached the ladder. In either pocket wers his pistols, in his hands a pair of bracelets, on his breast a star. At the top of the ladder he paused, struck his foot against the floor, and conghcd. There was a quick stir below. ‘ Mr Brice ! Mr Brice ! Vas you dere ?’ A half growl from below answered him. ‘ What do you want ? ’ ‘ I vas sick, Mr Brice—l vas so hot as neffer vas ! I vant a leetie va’.er, Mr Brice, if you please, Mr Brice.’ * What the —’ then came an oath. * Lie still, ye Dutch fool, and I’ll bring ye water. Don’t come here.’ * Oh, no, Mr Brice ! But some vater, Mr Brice, for God’s sake ! I vas burned alife ! ’ There was a moving about the room, a i patter of dipper and pail, and then Price approached tho ladder. Densmore breathed hard. The steps came nearer, nearer ; they monnted the ladder. He crouched, waiting. An instant more and the bearded face of Price appeared above the opening in tho ■ floor, and his right hand was raised, holding a tin cup of water. ■ ‘ Here, Datchy—ye’re cursed hard to take care of—here’s yer drink. ’ i Carl’s arm was outstretched ; but as he touched the dipper, there came a sharp click, and the handcuff closed about the wrist of , the coiner, and, at the same moment, the oold muzzle of a heavy Colt’s revolver pressed against his forehead, and the voice i of the dotectjve hissed in his very ear—- * Not a sound, or I’ll kill yon ! Up with your other band.’ The man was fairly caught, and he knew it! The color fled from his bronzed face, 1 leaving it ashen-hued ; a oold sweat gathered in beads upon his brow; the prison doors yawned before him, but one glance into the deep eyes of the detective was enough, and with a shudder and a groan he allowed the handcuffs to be clasped aboat the other wrist. * And now go down ; without noise, too,” says Densmore, *oi—’ Price oteyed j and as he turned upon tho floor below, the detective was at hia side. ‘ Sit there,’ and ha pointed toward the table, ‘ with your back to the door.’ Again the coiner obeyed, bowing hia bead upon his hands. Then Densmorne crept to the trap, closed It and shot the heavy bolts.

Without raising his head, Price whispered— • They’ll smother.’ • They must inn their chances,’ replied I' enemore, coldly. So saying, ho crept near to the cabin door, and waited. He mast have the woman, the spy, the last and best of all the gang. The moments passed, the hour was drawing to a close, and the detective listened with bated breath for his coming victim, when suddenly, without a sound, the door opened, and Nettle entered. As she did so, Densmore stopped forward and would have laid his hand upon her shoulder, but in a single girl comprehended all, and with a wild shriek she sprang from him, the dies dropping from her arms as she did so, while Price started from

his seat and joined her. And then again the detective found himself facing his enemies l , one of them armed, for the woman had drawn s pistol. But there was no struggle. With nerve tense as steel, and a light in the clear blue eyes, Carl levelled his heavy weapons, one at each of the figures before him, and in low, cool tones, raid—‘Up with your hands In the name of the national Government I arrest you as counterfetters ! Quick 1 The last word was addressed to the woman, for in her eye, too, there gleamed a dangerous light; but, before the detective oonld stay her, the pistol was turned, there rang out a sharp report, and from Her side there welled the bright blood, splashing the wooden floor, and with a moaning cry she tottered and fell, Price half catching her in his shackled arms as she sank. Only once she spoke—- • Bettor than a prison, Dick ! And to die with yon love.’ Then came a fluttering sigh, and she was gone. An hour later Densmore stood before the United States Commissioner, at Wildwood, and delivered his prisoner two hours later, a posse of offiioi-rs secred the others, who were dragged half dead from their oallar farnaceroom, and the next day the detective alone stood by the open grave of poor Nettie, ‘ the bravest and prettiest criminal he had ever known,’ ho said, and heard the dull sound of the clods as thoy fell upon her coffin. Then ho turned eastward again, his duty done.