The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-08-13
The Lost Bank Note.

~ Wv LIN ~
The Lost Bank Note.
From the present, with its serenejoys, some
times look back upon the past, with its rich tri-
ais and its struggles. In my quiet home in the
country, I feel as though the battle had been
fought and the victory won. To me, life has
been busy and bustling scene, and here in
my quiet library surrounded by the well thumb
edyolumes of Blackstone, Cbitty and their fell
lows, I feel as though Ihad completely emerg-
ed from the din Of the world, and that my hea-
ven had commenced here on earth
In thirty years Of practice, have been an
actor in many a life drama which may possess
to others some portion Of the interest with which
! regard them; but more for my own amuse-
ment, however, than for the edifcation Of the
reader though trust my narrative may not
be without its moral-I transcribe from the
page ofmemory anincident from my experience.
Twas 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 of no more than
seventeen years fage, stepped into the room.
Without being very pretty, she had counte-
nance and an expression which fail not to at
|
She was quite pale, and seemed to shrink
with instructive dread from the glance bestow-
ed upon her But her sweet face and gentle
manners had already won my sympathy. Her
sad face and timid movements assured me that
she had painful tale to tell; yet was not in
! disposed to hear it.
A visitor with a less prepossessing face, would
| have called forth frown and a short answer,
/ for was in the very midst of an investigation
which promised to reward my search in salts
factory manner.
She advanced toward my desk, and I closed
my book and arose to receive her.
s'Mr Docket" said she, and I saw her lips
trembled with emotion as she spoke.
+, I signifed to her that | was the person she
sought, and handed her chair, civility which
her trembling frame enabled her to appreciate,
4 for her agitation seemed to be entirely beyond
her control. ~...-
After allowing her few moments to recoye,
her self-possession, gently inquired her bust
ness with me.
Il have BROTHER" she began, and her hot
tears filled her eyes, and for a moment OBJ
structed her vision. Her heart seemed to choke
her with its wild beatings.
ssMay know whom l address?'' asked,
moderatlng my voice, SO as to afford her all the
encouragement that gentle tones can convey.
ttAlice Wade, }" she replied.
s'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!''
''Take your own time, Miss Wade. Perhaps
you had better wait few moments, till you feel
| botf oh TO ;,,t T
assure you of my desire to serve you.''
.'Thank you, sir" sobbed she, and turned
to my law books, SO as not to embauass 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 side.
I waited till her sobbings ceased, and then care
fully approached the object of her visit.
Il am taking up your time, Mr.. Docket; but
I have heard that you are a kind and charita-
Bile gentleman, and I have ventured to seek
your aid =
1t was very blunt compliment, but doubt
ed not its sincerity. There could be no hypo-
crisy in that gentle maiden, none even to &C
complish the most cherished purpose.
whatever can do for you, Miss Wade,
shall be done with the greatest pleasure
"Thank you, SIR
stYou must not look on the dark side of the
case. In law we regard man innocent till he
is proved guilty, and you must not regard any
thing as hopeless, until all efforts to redeem it
have failed" continued with smile, from
which she seemed to gather the hopeI desired
to impart.
II have brother, an only brother, whois in
the deepest distress"
s'His name?" I asked, taking pen, ready
to note down the facts in the case as she de-
tailed them
"Richard Wade"
@fGo on, if you please"
.sHe is book keeper in the store Of Denley
q Co.
ssAh,'' and I wrote it down, and being ac
quainted with the firm, | began to feel more
confidence in my ability to aid my fair client.
Denley & Co. were merchants of establish
ed reputation for integrity and uprightness.
.My mother is now a widow, and dependent
upon Richard for support She has been afaict-
that 1 can do nothing but take care of her and
do the work at home 1t takes all of Richards
salary to support us, and pay the doctors bill;
but he has labored cheeIfully for us-for his
poor, suffering mother. Richard is very kind,
and never thinks of many privations which cur
circumstances compel him to endure.
He is contented to work early and late, and
never spends dollar upon himself. Osir, he
is such a good brother"
our mother must be grateful for such
son, and you for such a brother
30, we are sir! But poor Richard, be is in
jail now,' and again she sobbed as though her
heart would break
.'Indeed! In jail?''
I was not quite prepared for such a catas
trophe as this, and confess that my feelings,
lawyer as | was, were much moved But twas
possible that the poor girl was deceived in re-
gard to her brother-that he was an angel at
home, and a demon abroad, as [ have known
more than one man to be. Yet could not re-
concile the glowing eulogium which the young
lady had pronounced upon bis character with
such conclusion.
ssOf what is he accused Miss Wade?- e?-Nay.