The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-05-17
THE LOST BANK NOTE.
bf \ RETIRED ATTtpvEy


me life had been 4 busy, bus,liny scene and
mere IN my quiet library, SURF oundcd by the
wen thumbed volumes of Blackstone, Chttv
AND their fellows. | fkl as though | had com
rlrtely emerged from NE din of the world
anu that my heaven had commenced or
earth.
LII thirty odd years ofpractice. have been
an actor Of many life-drama which ma,
possess to others some portion of the inter.s,
with which regard them: but more for N,
own amusement, however, than the edifica
tlon OF the reader-though trust NV nara
I'VE nay not ne w!thJu! lis moral trans.
cr'be from tie page of memory an inciden,
from my experience.
was seated in my office buslv engaged
hunting up the law for certain case of sont
Importance, when the door was timidIy open
rd. and Young lady, apparently OF not NOR,
than seventeen years OF aye, stepped into IN,
room Without being very pretty. she ha,
a countenance ard expression which failet
not to attract the interest of the tehoIder.
Sha was Inite pale. and seemed to shrink
with instructive dread from the glance | be
slowed upon her. Yet her sweet face an.
gentle manners had already won my sympa
thy. Her sad face and tilnid movements as
sure,i me that She had pitifuI tale to tell
but was not disposed to hear it.
visitor with less prepo>,essns face woul,
have called forth a frown and short answer
for was in the very midst Of an inve.,iga
ton which promised tU reward nv search il
a satisfactory manner
She advanced towards my desk. and clos
ed NV book and rose to receive her.
MIR. Docket ~ said she, and | saw he
I'p trsmble with emotion as she spoke
slgn'fed to her that was the person sh,
sought and handed her chair; a civilit,
which her trembling frame enabled her l.
appreciate, for her agitation seemed to be en-
tirelv beyond her control. :.
! After allowing her few moments to rrcov
er her seli-pos>r>sion, ] gently inquired he
business with me.
II have a brother" she begun, and the ho
tears filled her eyes, and TOR a moment oh
structcd her vision
Her heart seemed to choke her with it
wild bea,nss
"Alav | know whom address :" I ask ed
moderating my voice. so as to afford her al
the encouragement which gentle tone coul
convey.
alice Wade" she replied
You seem to be in distress Let me be
OF YOU to be calm perhaps your case is no
50 bad as You suppose"
"MaV h haaVpD send that II Ia not p"
Take your own time. Miss Vale. Per
haps You had better wait few moments I'll
YOU feel better able to proceed, and in tn
mean time | assure YOU Of III. desire 70 st. !,
YOU"
Thank YOU, sir" sobbe,l She and turn
cd TO NV law hooks, SO as not to embarraS
her hv seeming to wait for her to recover he
calmneSS.
But had lost the clue to the inveStira
tion, and though fixed NV eyes on the book
it was only TO think of the sobbinS maiden b.
nv side. | waited till her sobbings ceased
and then carefully approached the object OF
her visit
IL am taking up your time, Mr. Docket
but ] have heard that YOU were a kind am
charitable gentleman, and | have venture,
to seek YOUR ad.'
1t was a very blunt compliment, but
doubted not its sincerity. There could b
no hypocrisy in that gentle maiden, none
even to accomplish the most cherished pur
pose.
! Whatever lean do for YOU, Miss Wade
shall be done with great pleasure" addct
"Thank yon, sir"
"You must not look on the dark side o
your case In law. We regard man limo
cent, till he is proved to be guilty; and yo
must not reg 'rd nythiny as hopeless. until a
efforts to redeem it have taile,l," continue,
with smile. from which she seemed to gath
er the hope desired to impart
II have brother, an only brother, who
in the deepest Distress
"ll,s name :" ! asked. takirg a pen. read
to note down the facts in the case, as she dt
tailed them.
"Richard Wade"
"Go on, if Won please"
ole is book-keeper in the store of Der
) ley & Co."
Ah.' and | wrote it down. and being a.
quainted with the firm, began to feel moi
confidence in my ability to aid nv fair ellen
Denley 4 Co., were merchants of establish
ed reputation for integrity and uprightnes
"My mother is widow, and depended NJ
) on Richard for support. She has been afil
ed with cancer for more than three year
SO that can do no,hin. but take care OF b,
and do the work at home. 1t takes all O
. Richards salary to support us, and pay II
doctors bills; but he has labored cheerful
for us, for his poor suffering mother"
! The poor girls emotion choked her aeai
, and'l turned to my book to enable her to r.
cover herself
"Richard is very kind, and never thnI
, of his many deprivations which our circun
stances compel him 20 endure. lie is COZ
. tented to work early and late, and nevt
spend dollar upon himself. Oh, sir, be
such good brother"
Your mother must be grateful for such
son, and YOU for such brother"
"Oh. We are. sir. But, poor Richard
is in Jail. now," and she sobbed as if her hea
would break.
Indeed In Jail ?"
was not exactly prepared for such a ca
tastrophe as this, and confess that my fee
ings, lawyer as | was. we're much mOvet
But 1t was possible that the poor girl was d,
ceiveI in regard to her brother, that how a
An angel at home, demon abroad, as hav
known more thar one man to be. Yet
could not reconcile that glowing euloyuI
which the young lady had pronounced upo
bis character with such conclusion.
"Oi what is he accused, Miss Wade Nay
do not weep. he may be innocent"
IL know he is!" she answered with con
siderable vehemence.
"Then be assured his innocence will b
made apparent to the world"
Would that could feel so.''
! ANow Il xou will Meas. state the facts IL