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.

100000 002020 000003 000400 500000 000600 070000 800088 000000

[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-SPOKEN.]

No. 9. 
    Lawrenceburgh, April 9, 1827.

Friend Brown,—­I am happy to have the extreme pleasure of introducing to your acquaintance one of my most intimate friends.  He visits the city on business, which may require assistance; if so, you can confer no greater favour on your humble servant, than by serving him.

Yours, in haste,

The following was taken from the same sheet, having been interlined in fine hand in sympathetic ink, which was entirely a secret to the bearer, and read when warm, as follows: 

In a side pocket made upon the inside of an old black velvet vest, you will find eighteen hundred dollars in United States money.  In an old hair trunk, tied around with a rope, he carries twelve hundred dollars in silver.  He is fond of spirits, and occasionally gets drunk, and when drunk, has no memory, and would not acknowledge the fact of being drunk for twice the amount.  He is a man of wealth and of honour.  Destroy this immediately.