Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-08-01

TWO persons whose names he mentioned. The
answer was the usual civil refusal to accent
the proffered security for repayment-sthe bank
was Just then full of discounts Burton ven
tured, as last resource, to call on Horribly
with request that, as the rapid advance in the
market-value Of land consequent on the high
war-prices obtained for its produce, had great
ly increased the worth Of Grange Farm, he
would add the required sum to the already ex-
isting mortgage. He was met by prompt re-
fusal. Mr.. Hornby intended to foreclose as
speedily as possible the mortgages he already
held, and invest his capital in more profitable
securities. We'll, then, would he lend the
amount at any interest he chose,'
The usury laws replied Hornby, with his
usual saturnine sneer, would prevent nv ac-
ceptance of your obliging offer, even if l had
the present means which l have not Nv
spare cash happens just now to be temporarily
locked up
Burton, halfcrazed with anxiety, went the
following day to the Leeds bank with the prof.
fer of fresh name agreed to be lent by its
owner. Useless They did not know the
party The applicant unused few moments,
and then said, Would you discount the note Of
Mr.. James Hornby. of Pool,'
Certainly, with great deal Of pleasure
Burton hurried away, had his horse instant
ly saddled, and galloped off to Pool Hornby
was at home.
You limited the other day. said Burton,
that if YOU had not been short of prcsen,
means you might have obliged me with til.
loan | required
Did II
AT least | 50 understood YOU. | am OF
course not ignorant, Mr.. Hornby, that there is
no good blood between us two bnt | also
know that you are fond of money, and that YOU
! are fully aware that am quite safe for few
hundred pounds. | am come therefore, to offer
you ten pounds bonus for your acceptance at
one month for two hundred and fifty pounds.
WHAT exclaimed Hornby, with strange
vehemence. .Whatr
Burton repeated his offer, and Hornby turned
away towards the window without speaking.
When he again faced Burton, his counte-
nance wore Its usual color but the expression
of his eyes, the applicant afterwards remem-
bered. was wild and exulting.
Have YOU bill stampr
Yes
Then draw bill At once, | will accept it,
Burton did not require TO be twice told
The bill was quickly drawn; Hornby took it
to another table at the further end of the apart
ment, slowly wrote his name across it, folded,
and returned it to Burton, who rendered the
ten pounds he had offered, and written ac-
acknowledgement that the bill had been drawn
and accepted for his Burton 's) accommodation
Il don't want your money, Henry Burton,
said Hornby, putting back the note and the
memorandum. Il am not afraid of losing by
this transaction. You do not know me vet
A queer stick thought Burton, as he
gained the street /: but Old Nick is seldom so
black as he's painted, He was a plaguey
while, thought, signing his name, but wish
| could sign mine to such good purpose
Burton laid the accepted bill, face down.
wards, on the bank counter, took pen, en-
dorsed, and passed it to the managing clerk
The greyheaded man glanced sharply at the
signature and then at Burton. why, surely,
this is not Mr.. Hornby's signature, 1t does
not at all resemble it,
Not his signature exclaimed Burton,
what do you mean BY that,'
Reynolds, look here continued the clerk,
addressing another of the bank employees. Rey-
nolds looked, and his immediate glance of sur
prise and horror at Burton revealed the impress
sion he had formed.
Please to step this way, Mr.. Burton, to a
private apartment, said the manager.
Mono, won't, stammered the unfortu-
nate man, over whose mind dreadful susp-
cian had glanced with the suddenness of light
ming. 4 will go back TO Hornby,' and he
made a desperate but vain effort TO snatch the
fatal instrument. Then pale and staggering
with confused terror he attempted TO rush
into the street. He was stopped, with the
help of the bystanders, by one of the clerks
who had jumped over the counter for the pur-
pose.
The messenger despatched by the bankers to
Hornby returned with an answer that the al
legged acceptance was a forgery. 1t was stated
on the part of Mr.. Hornby that Mr. Burton had
indeed requested him to lend two hundred and
fifty pounds, but he had refused The frantic
reservations of poor Burton were of course dis
regarded, and he was conveyed to Jail. An
examination took place the next day before the
magistrates, and the result was, that the pris-
oner was fully committed on the then capital
charge, for trial at the ensuing assize.
1t were useless, as painful, to dwell upon
the CONSERVATION and agony which fell upon
the dwellers at Grange Farm when the terrible
news reached them. A confident belief in the
perfect innocence of the prisoner, participated
by some persons who knew his character and
that of Hornby, and that it would be triumph
antly vindicated on the day of trial, which rap
idly approached, alone enabled them to bear up
against the blow, and 70 await with trembling
hope the verdict of a jury.
1t was at this crisis of the drama that be-
came an actor in it. | was retained for the de-
fence by my long-known and esteemed friend,
Symonds, whose zeal for his client, stimulated
by strong personal friendship, knew no bounds