New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-08-18
From the Pictorial Drawing Room CoIupAt
THE FORGED NOTE
Or, the scheming Mothers Mistake.
BY sYLvANus COBB, JR.

cally II woman of high life, while Mr.. Abraham
Walpart was n merchant i'll mlddling circuln-
stances, who had to work most asslduousiy to
keep his wife at that height Of fashion which
she had contrived to assume. Mr.. Nalpart
labored diligently at his business--was honest
and upright in his transactions, ana his pocket
was a fountain from whence flowed a vast deal
of money into his family; hut yet his vote upon
domestic affairs amounted TO a mere cypher-
and should be chance at any time to give 1t, his
wife invariably claimed the right TO veto
Julia was their only child-a girl OF nineteen
years. and something may be known OF her
character from the fact that her mother often
expressed her deep regret that one so beautltu
and gifted as was her daughter, would not en-
deavor to shine more in fashionable society
Julia Walpart was one Of those beautiful females
who are created to adorn the home Of peace and
Joy, but who, nevertheless, cannot fail to shine
with a rich, pure light, in any walk Of honest
life
The lamps had been lighted in Mrs Walparts
sitting room, and the lady and daughter We're
there alone. The former was rocking to and
fro in her large lolliug chair, evidently suffer-
ing under some severe nervous shock, while
Julia seemed to have been weeping, and even
now her bosom was heayed by deep sobs of an
gush.
s'Now you see, JULIA said Mrs. Walpart, as
she stopped the motion Of her chair, 90 to what
pass you have brought yourself by not listening
to my advice. When you first began to receive
the attentions Of that James Albee: l warned
You against him.
g How did you warn me against him :" asked
the fair girl, as she removed her hand from her
aching brow, and gazed into her mothers face.
g low did | do it, Why, did | not tell you
| that he was nothing but a poor clerk, and that
you should look higher for husband ?"
| ss es Won did tell me that. mother but that
was no warning against him. That was merely
your prejudice against his pecuniary affairs"
'sPrejudice, child . iterated Mrs. Walpart
eleyating her brow with sort of naughty assu-
rance, indeed it was no such thing. knew
| that he would turn out swindler."
GO But you never hinted such thing before"
said Julia, struggling hard to keep ba2k her ris-
ing emotions.
''Perhaps / did not in so many words, re-
turned her mother; & but never thought him
any better than he should be-"
| Julia Walpart gazed for a moment into her
mothers face, and then burst into tears. She
had loved James Albee with her whole soul
and even though the charge Of forgery hung over
his head. yet she could not hear him thus ira
duced. At length she wiped her eyes once more,
and with considerable energy, said:
| g James Albee never committed that forgery
with which he is charged! His soul is too pure
and noble for that. As well might you tell me
that this fiinty topaz grew upon yon oleander {"
| '' You speak foolishly. girl said Mrs. Wal
| part, With much sarcasm; 't but l. trust you
| will let Inc hear no more oft Your father has
been wrong in thus allowing you to cultivate the
acquaintance Of that Albee; but trust this cir
cumstance will learn him lesson. Now, Julia,
| hope you will be wise, and receive the atten-
tions of, Mr.. Babbington. He is a fine young
gentleman, fashionable in every sense of the
word, and his society cannot fail Of pleasing you
as soon as you shall have learned to appreciate
him.
'' Mother, if you have any feeling for me, a
all, do not allude to Mr.. Darlington again
Julia said this with much emphasis, and hel
manner seemed to throw her scheming mother
somewhat aback, but ere she could make u re
ply, one Of the servants entered and handed hel
a card
II declare,' said Mrs. Walpart, as she look
ed at the card, GO Mr.. Babbington is at the door
Show him up she said to the servant, and then
turning to her daughter, she continued: s'NoW
Julia, must command you Mr.. Babbington
is my especial friend, and l would have you
treat him with respect, you shall soon learn to
look upon him in a still more favorable light
Mrs. Walpart had noopportunity to say more
nor did Julia have chanceto reply, for at that
moment Mr.. Babblngton was ushered into the
room. He was in very truth a ''man- butter
fly = with any quantity of hair, dress, jewelry
and perfumery about his precious person; and
rs he replied to the salutations of Mrs. Walpart
he did it in that drawling, self-sufficient tone
and style which mark the insuferable egotist
Julia instinctively shrank from the man te
whom her mother would have her turn her
love; and though, for the sake of mere good
breeding, she tried to treat him ciyilly. vet she
found even that difficult and irksome task
'' Mr. Burlington" said Mrs. Walpart, aftel
some twenty minutes had been consumed il
criticisms and structures upon the characters o
various acquaintance, shave you heard any
thing about the forgery?'
50 Do you allude to the case of tIat-ah-Al
bee fellaw -
* Yes, sir
F." Aw-well--the fellaw has managed to ge
bonds, | am sorry for it, for the vylgaw wretcl
should be imprisoned. Such fellaws are really
dangawous to society. 1t is wondah that tn.
villain did not make my purse the object o
his heinous crime--not that should have mssef
a few thousands, howevah''
6 But tell me, Mr.. Babbington, who it wal
that was so foolish as to bail this torger3''
" Aw--really--have you not heard p
No--indeed have not
"Well, my dear Lady Walpart you must par
don him for his folly, for 'pon my honaw,
think he meant it for charity. 1t was Mr.
Walpart'
6 Really, Lady Walpart, must say it was
Then, God bless him for good heart =
calculated Julia, while the look OF mingled con
tempt and anguish that had dwelt upon he
handsome features gave place to an expression
Of real gratitude"
Mr. Albert Babbington tlourished his per
fumed handkerchief with a sort of nervou
movement, while Mrs Walpart looked the pic
! ture of utter astonishment and chagrin Blu
she was relieved from the necessity of attempt
ing to smooth over her daughters indiscretion t
her visitor, by the sudden appearance of Mr
Walpart. The merchant gave a very cold re
turn to Mr. Babbingtons good evening" an
as he saw that his dearly beloved daughter
! face suffused with the shades of sorrow an
modification, his temper was not at all softenet
: In fact, Mr. Albert Babbington thought MI
Walpart WAS rather more distant than usua
E and ere long he made an excuse for his depal
ture.
For several moments after the visitor ha
/ gone, an unbroken silence pervuded the room
3 The merchant was removing his boots, JUL
g seemed to be pondering upon what had passet
S while Mrs. Walpart rocked to and fro in he
/ chair more famously than ever. At length n
( her husband sat back in his chair, she asked i
i II tone anything but pleasant
e 81 MIR. Walpart did hear rightly with regal
. to your bailing that forger :"
I 81 don't know, I'm sure, laconically reple
{ the gentleman,
e 's u ou know whether you became bondsma
I for James Albee, do you not" sharply aske
= the lady.