Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-03-04

ed her white jeweled hand over her eyes, and
seemed calculating, and then whispered with
con6ding look of innocent helplessness, admi-
rably assumed
about as many as amount TO twelve hun
dred pounds
And what means have you for meeting
them!'
AT this question, so plainly put, her face
flushed. She half rose from the chair, and ex-
claimed in the true tone of aristocratic haute1ir
Really sir, do not know what right you
have TO ask me that question:
l laughed little, though not very loud. 1t
was rude, | own; but who could have helped
it l replied, speaking low but slowly and
distinctly - You forgot. did not send for
you; you came to me. You have forged bills
to the amount of El2OO. Yours Is not case
of ruined merchant, or an ignorant over
tempted clerk. In your case jury (she shud-
dered at that word) would find no extenuating
circumstances; and if you should ever fall in
to the hands of justice, you will be convicted,
degraded, clothed in prison dress, and trans
ported for life. do not want TO speak harsh
ly; but insist that you find means to take up
the bill which Mr. Administer has SO unwit.
tingly endorsed'
The Hon. Miss Shapes grand manner melt
ed away. She wept. She seized and pressed
my hand. She cast up her eyes, full of tears,
and went through the part of a repentcnt VIC
tim with great fervor. She would do any,
thing anything in the world to save the poor
man. Indeed, she had intended 10 appropriate
part of the two hundred pound bill 10 that pur-
pose.
She forgot her first statement, that she want
ed the money to go out of town. Without in
terrupting, | let her go on and degrade herself
by simulated passion of repentance, regret
and thankfnlness to me, under which she hid
her fear and modification at being detected |
at length put an end to scene of admirable ac-
ting. by recommending her to go abroad i'm
mediately, to place herself out reach of any
sudden discovery and then lay her case fully
before her friends, who would, no doubt, feel
bound 10 come forward with the full amount
of the forged bills. But she exclaimed,
with an entreating sir, l have no money!
cannot go without money! To that observa-
ton | did not respond; although am sure she
expected that should, check-book in hand, Of
fer her loan.
| did not say so without reason for the very
next week, this honorable young lady came
again; and, with sublime assurance and
number of very charming, winning speeches,
(Which might have had their effect npon
younger many asked me to lend her one hun
dred pounds, in order that she might take the
advice had so oblgingly given her, and retire
into private life for a certain time in the coun-
try.
Really. madam | answered, 'you pay
very i'll compliment to my gray hairs; and
would fain make me very ill return for the
service have done you, when you ask me to
lend hundred pounds 10 a Young lady who
owns to having forged to the extent of one thou
sand two hundred pounds, and to owing eight
hundred pounds besides. wished to save a
parsonage of your years and position from
a dsgraceful career; but am too good a
trustee for my children 10 lend money 10
anybody in such dangerous position as
YOURSELF
'Oh y she answered, quite unabashed,
without q tlace of the fearful, tender plead.
ing of the previous weeks interview-quite
as if had been an accomplice, | can give
you excellent security; the names Of three
friends of ample means
DO you mean to tell me, Miss Shape, that
you will write down the names of three par.
ties who will accept bill for one hundred
pounds for you?'
| Yes, she could, and did actually write
down the names of three distinguished men.
/ Now knew for certain, that not one of the
noblemen would have put his name to a bill
on any account whatever for his dearest
! friend; but in her unabashed selt-confdence
she thought Of passing another forgery, on
me- closed the conference by saying, 81
cannot assist you and she retired with the
air Of an Injured person. In the course Of a
few days heard from MIR. Administer, tha
his liability of one hundred pounds had been
duly honored.
In my active and exciting life, one day ex
tinguishes the recollection OF the events o
the preceding day and for lime, thought
no more about the fashionable forger. l had
taken it for granted that, heartily frightened
although not reFen.ing, she had paused in
her felonious pursuits.
My business, one day, led me to the estab
lishment Of one of the most wealthy and re-
spectacle legal firms in the city, where an
well known, and believe, valued; for at al
times | am most politely, may say mos
cordially received. Mutual profits create q
wonderful freemasonry between those who
have no, any other sympathy or sentiment
Politics, religion, morality, difference of rank
are all equslized and republIcanlzed by the
division of an account. No sooner had en-
tered the sanctu,n, than the senior partner
Mr.. Preceps, began to quiz his junior. MIR
Jones, with, We'll, Jones must never joke
friend Discount any more abou, usury. JUS
imagine he continued, dressing me, Mr.
Jones has himself been discounting bill
for lady; and deuced pretty one too