Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-05-17
EVENING STAR.
r He LOST BANK NOTE
~ ~o,yv

ror tne present, Win lts serene joys, some
times look back upon the past, with its trials
and its struggles. In my quiet home in the
country 1 feel as though the battle had been
fought and the victory won. To me life has
been busy, bustling scene, and here in my
quiet library, urrouuded by the wellthumb-
ed volumes of Blackstone, Chitty, aud their
fellows, L feel as though 1 had completely
emerged from the din Of the world, and that
my heaven had commenced here on earth.
In thirty years Of practice | have been an
actor in many life-drama, which may pos
sess to others some portion of the interest with
which i regard them; but more for my own
amusement, however, than for the edifcation
of the reader-though l trust my narrative
may not be without its moral-I transe-ibe
from the page of memory an incident from my
experience
was seated in my Office, busily engaged in
hunting up the law for a certain case Of some
| Importance, when the door was timidly opened
and young lady; apparently not more than
seventeen g years of age, stepped into the room
without being very pretty, she had a coun-
tensnce and an expression which failed not TO
attract the interest of the beholder
She was quite pale, and seemed to shrink
with instructive dread from the glance be-
| slowed upon her. But her sweet face and
gentle manners had already won my sympa-
| thy. Her sad face and timid moyem ents as
f,
yet was not indisposed to hear it
visitor with q less prepossessing face
| would have called forth a frown and q short
| answer, for was in the very midst of an in
| vestigation which promised to reward my
search in a satisfactory manner.
She advanced towards my desk, and I
closed my book, and rose to receive her.
"Mr. Docketn said she, and L saw her
lips tremble with emotion as she spoke
GnA 70 Al hat II Al Il
sought, and handed her a chair a civility
which her trembling frame enabled her to
appreciate, for her agitation seemed to be
entirely beyond her control.
After allowing her a few moments to re-
cover her self-possession, gently inquired
her business with me.
81 have a brother" she began, and the hot
tears filled her eyes, and for a moment OBJ
structed her vision Her heart seemed 10
chose with its wild beatings
MAY know whom L address ?n I asked,
moderatiIg my voice, so as to afford her all
the encouragement which gentle tones could
convey.
&c Alice W Wade," she replied
You seem to be in distress Let me beg
OF you to be calm; perhaps your case is not
so bad as you suppose"
May Heaven grant that it be not 80
Take your own time, Miss Wade. Per-
you feel better able to proceed, and in the
mean time L assure you of my desire to serve
you"
Thank ysu, sir, sobbed she, and turned
TO my law books, so as not to embarrass her
by seeming to be waiting for her to recover
her calmness
But had lost the clue to the investigation
and though l fixed my eyes on the book, it
was only to think Of the weeping maid by my
Il hnr Snhh o-1
then carefully approached the object of her
visit.
am taking up your time, Mr.. Docket
but have heard that you were kind and
charitable gentleman, and 1 have ventured to
seek your aid -
1t was a very blunt compliment, but /
doubted not its sincerity. There cosld be
no hypocrisy in that gentle maiden, none,
even to accomplish the most cherished pur-
pose
Whatever L can do for you, Miss Wade,
added
"Thank you, sir.''
"YOu must not look on the dark side of
your case. In law, we regard man as in
nocent, till he is proved 10 be guilty; and
You must not regard any thing as hopeless
until all efforts to redeem it have failed, II
continued, with smile, from which she
seemed to gather the hope desired to impart
~ have brother, an only brother, who is
in the deepest distress"
His name :" asked, taking a pen, ready
to note down the facts in the case, as she de-
tailed them.
Richard Wade"
$50 on, if you please
ley & Co."
"Ah," and L wro te it down, and being ac
quainted with the firm, began to feel more
confidence in my ability to aid my fair client
Denley d Co, were merchants of estab-
iished reputation for integrity and upright
ness.
My mother is q widow, and dependen
upon Richard for support. She has been af-
ficted with a cancer for more than three
years, so that L can do nothing but take care
of her and do the work at home. 1t takes
all OF Richard salary to support US and paw
the doctor bill; but he has labOred cheer
fully for us, for his poor suffering mother.
Richard is very kind, and never thinks of the
many deprivatiOns which our circumstances
compel him to endure. He is contented to
work early and late, and never spends dol
lar upon himself. Oh, sir, he is such a good
brothern' r ... .----
Your mother must be grateful for such
son, and you for such a brother -
"Oh, we are, sir But, poor Richard, he
is in Jail now ;" and again she sobbed as though
her heart would break. s--...
g Indeed? In Jail 90
L was not quite prepared for such a catas-
trophe as this, and confess that nv feelings.
lawyer as was, were much moved. But it
was possible that the poor girl was deceived |
In regard to her brother, that he was an angel |
at home, and demon abroad, rs have known |
more than one man to be. Yet L could not re-
conclle the glowing eulogium which the young
lady had pronounced upon his character with /
such conclusion.
"Of what is he accused, Miss Wade' Nay,
10 not weep, he may be innocent "
"I knoc he is!" she answered with consid
srable vehemence.
"Then be assured his innocence will be made
apparent to the world
Would that could feel so!''
NOW, if you will please state the facts of
he case, will make memorandum of them,
md doubt not We shall be able to make a
rood case of it."
"Why, mothers sickness had reduced nv
'rothers finances down to the lowest ebb-so
ow that we had not even enough to pay our
Iuarter s rent, and the quarter bills Richard
vas much disturbed by this difficulty, and for
eVeral days he was very sad. But one dav
q came home with an unusually cheerful
inf al Il