The Empire County argus., 1856-10-18

days.
'Mr. Denley Immediately identified the bill as the
one he had lost. He is very positive, and is ready to
it is the very bill he lost An officer called
and poor Richard was thrown into prison. Of course
he could not procure the person who had lent him the
money, and Mr.. Denley chose to regard Richards ex
planaton as a mere invention"
1t was hard blow to the poor girl, and heavier
still to her sick and suffering mother.
1t certainly looked like a bad case The young
mans sadness in view of unpaid bills his sudden
cheerfulness though the debt itself still remained and
worse than all, the positive nature of Mr. Deneys
evidence, were all against successful defence. But
had hope of getting him off, for the identity of the
bill, unless actually registered by number, mat
ter to which few could positively swear.
l made up my mind to clear him, if there was any
such thing-even clear him on quibble, if no other
means afforded had little hope of establishing his
innocence, for my reason assured me that Richard,
good son though he were, was guilty of the crime
with which he was charged.
l succeeded so well in assuring Alice Wade that
her brother would be restored to her, that she was
toerably cheerful before she left
'You are very kind, Mr.. Docket and fear we
shall never be able fully to repay you. Here are
twenty dollars it is all we have, but you are very
kind y and she rendered me roll of bills,
NO, Miss Wade, nothing. Keep your money
you may want it, though pray you may not"
She took her leave after thanking me again, and |
proceeded to consider the case.
| need not detail to the reader the particulars of
Richard Wade's examination, upon which he was
fully committed. The grand jury found true bill,
and he was arraigned for trial
All my poor skill and human eloquence could ac-
compsh for the prisoner was unsuccessful, and to my
grief and CONSERVATION the jury brought him in guilty
after being out five hours.
Poor Alice! | could not endure the thought Of
hopo of tho oil
her hopes and instead of going to my office, where
knew she awaited my coming, took Mr.. Denleys
arm with the intention of getting him to make state
ment, by the aid of which mitigation of the unfor-
tunate young mans sentence might be obtained.
Almost unconsciously, led him into Parker's, where
we seated ourselves at table and called for lunch.
at is a very hard case, Mr. Denley" said 1. poor
Wades mother will suffer more than he.'
II know it but one cannot submit to be plunder-
ed in this manner Besides it is duty we owe to
society to assist in Furnishing the guilty.
"True, but after all you may be mistaken about
that bill"
"Mistaken Impossiblel am sure of the bill
1t was the same one; if there had been particle of
doubt about it, l should not have sworn to it of
course
at might have blown out of the window"
"The window was closed"
"You must think Richard Wade was a fool to take
such an opportunity of robbng you when, as you
testified he handled hundreds Of dollars of your mon
ey every day. If he had meant to rob you it seems
to me he would have chosen a better opportunity"
The fact is undeniabe."
"Oh, no; could mention dozen palmer cases
than this where innocent men have been punished
There is no chance for a mistake"
"You might have thrust the bill in your pocket"
but the same bill reached me again thro' my
brother-n-law who received it from Wade replied
he, involuntarily thrusting his hands into his vest
pockets.
Suddenly l observed nervousness in his manner
and with both hands he began to tumble with great
violence at the left hand pocket He had thrust one
finger through hole near the top of the pocket, and
was exploring the recess inside of the lining of the
garment.
my God!' exclaimed he, Suddenly rising from the
chair in the highest excitement while with nervous
twitch he tore away the pocket and drew out bit
of crumpled paper. My heart leaped as his trem-
bling hand unfolded the paper 1t was hundred
dollar bill.
"God forgive mem exclaimed he, aud his cheek
glowed with shame
"You was mistaken. then ?"
II was come to the Judge with me- Docket, and
he rushed furiously towards the court house.
| need not inform the reader by what formality the
judgment was reversed but it was done at once
perhaps some violence was done to the forms: but
Richard Wade walked with me to my office, where
he was folded in the arms of his loving and devoted
sister.
He was saved He was innocent! What thrill
of joy ran through the veins of the fair girl
We were Immediately joined by Mr.. Denley, who
took to himself much blame for the part he acted
He apologized in very humble terms to his book
keeper.
"You meant right, Mr.. Denley," said Richard, tax
ing his proffered hand in token Of his forgiveness.
Il was wrong, and the events Of this day have
taught me a lesson which I shall never forget said
the merchant. II shall make such amends as are in
my power, and begin by doubling your salary"
Thank you sir, you are too kind. My innocence
is established which is of more consequence to me
than anything else"
The parties left my Office soon after The scene
when the poor mother was informed Of the result
easily be imagined by the reader. Since that day
have been proud to number among my persona
friends the members of the Wade family.
Richards friend returned from the South a few
days after. He had not received the letters he ha(
sent him, and ignorant of the events which haC
occurred in his absence. Richard paid him. and it il
not little singular that this same friend became the
husband of Alice, two years after, Mr.. Denley KEEP
his word with Richard the year after he was admit
ted as partner, and has long since made his fortune
Music IN A FAMLY.-Music in family is
means of domestic cheerfuness.
A musical family in spite of cares, perpexities, ol
even of trials, may be cheerful family. Not gay
do we mean; for there are many points of difference
between cheerfulness and gayety But cheerfulnes!
in that sense of the term which implies good spirits
and in which needless depression of spirits and NOR
can have the sunshine of cheerfuness in your house
N M raj inf Il hat