. The old lady came to the door, and wanted to know what
was the matter. I told her my friend had fallen, but that no damage was
done. She retired. As soon as he discovered it was me, he raised his
burden once more, and carried it to the room. "Come in, sir," said he.
"What have you here?" said I. "That I will show you, in a few minutes."
I knew all the time, and though I was vexed, I could not refrain from
laughter. "You laugh," said he, "and well you might, if you knew the
speculation I had been making to-day." He soon got a hatchet to show me
his treasure. I never saw a man so perfectly carried away at the
prospect he had in store. He was nearly exhausted by carrying such a
burden so far. The perspiration drops were oozing out of his forehead,
and he effected the opening of the keg with no little trouble. "Now,
sir," said he, "you may laugh, if you please; raise that head and see if
there is not something in store to laugh at." I did as he bade. I lifted
up the head which covered his treasure, when to his surprise a few black
copper cents made their appearance. "Copper bogus," said I. "I believe
in my soul they have mistaken; let's examine further." He soon
discovered the false head, which he raised, and in a double surprise
cried out, "My conscience, I won't trade. No, I will have my money back!
I will sue them." "Who will you sue?" said I. He came to a stand, then
remarked, "Really, I can't tell who they were. They gave me no name, but
I will take them for swindling if they don't give it up. I will swear,"
said he--then he paused and I took the word from his mouth, and told him
that I would swear that he was a fool, and had better return to Dearborn
county and plough corn. He laid the coppers one side, being about two
hundred, then carefully headed the keg up. We went to bed. During the
night he arose. I heard him going downstairs. The next morning I
discovered that both him and the keg were missing. I never heard from
him afterwards, but hope, if he is at home, that you will hereafter keep
him there.

Yours, in haste,

P.S. I hope you will answer this immediately. Direct to Nashville,
Tennessee. This Brother is a true blue.

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[This describes the bearer to be CUNNING, TEMPERATE, TREACHEROUS,
IMPRUDENT; size LOW and HEAVY; by profession a PHYSICIAN and a MERCHANT;
disease RHEUMATISM and FACE DISFIGURED; age from FORTY to FORTY-FIVE;
QUICK-SPO