Volcano weekly ledger., 1857-02-07
The Stolen Note.
BY A RETIRED ATTORNEY.

What seems to me the most remarkable
phase of villainy is, that a man, himself
wealthy, can find in his heart to pIunder the
poor earnings of long and weary years.
When the rich rob the rich it seems not half
so wicked as when a man of. humble means is
deprived of his sustenance | have often
seen the entire property Of individuals, swept
away at a single stroke of ill-fortune; and
more than once have seen a man who tho't
he had competence, ruined in a single day
by villain.
The Instance which am about to relate,
though happily the designs of the robber
were frustrated, is one of this character,
where an INSCRIPTIONS person designed to
send misery to the family of humble mechan-
ic.
Except that he indulged too freely in the
use of the intoxicating cup, Jno Wallace was
an honest, high-minded and exemplary man.
His one great fault hung like dark shadow
over his many virtues He meant well, and
when he was sober he did well.
He was a halter by trade, and by his in
dustry and thrift had acquired money enough
to buy the house in which he lived He had
purchased it several years before for three
thousand dollars, paying one thousand down,
and securing the balance by mortgage to
the seller.
The mortgage note was almost due at the
time when the circumstances occurred which
made me acquainted with the affairs of the
family. But Wallace was ready for the day;
he had saved up the money, and there seem
ed no possibility Of an accident.
| always bought my hats of Wallace, and
am free to say that they were the best hats
the city afforded. ] had also done some lit
tie collecting, and drawn up some legal doc
uments for him.
One day his daughter Annie came to my
office in great Distress declaring that her fa-
ther was ruined and that they would be turn
ed out of the house in which the family re-
sided.
Perhaps not, Miss Wallace l replied
trying to console her, and gave the affair."
whatever it was, a bright aspect
"You know my father, Mr.. Docket?'
i do, very WELL"
You know his infrmity?"
81 do; / am sorry for him. There is not
a more honest or better disposed man in Bos
ton than your father"
"He is very kind and good to us all, but
-
81 hope his infrmity does not render him
troublesome at home!"
mo sir; but people take advantage of
him."
"What has happened?"
"We had the money to pay the mortgage
on the house in which we live-but it is all
gone now"
"Gonew
:" Yes, all gone"
"Lost?"
al do not know; l suppose SO. Last week
he drew out the two thousand dollars from
the bank, and loaned it to Mr. Bryce for ten
days.
"Who is Mr.. Bryce?"
"He is a broker. My father became ac-
quainted with him through Mr. George
Chandler, who boards with us, and is Bryce's
clerk"
The poor girl blnshed when she mentioned
the clerks name, and it did not require
great deal of penetration for me to discover
that he was her lover.
Does Mr. Bryce refuse to pay it?"
T" lie has paid it,"
"WeIl, what is the tronble"
Father says that he has not paid it,"
Indeed, but the note will be evidence
that he has not paid it. OF course you have
the note?"
No; Mr.. Bryce has it,
Then, Of course he paid it,"
" suppose he has, or he could not have the
note"
"Wbat does your father say?"
He is very positive he never received the
money. The mortgage must be paid to-mor-
row"
every singular, indeed Was your faith
er ---p
/ hesitated to use that unpleasant word |
knew must have grated harshly on the ear of
the devoted girl.
"Mr. Bryce says my father was not just
right when he paid him the money, though
not very bad"
will see your father"
HE is coming here in few a minutes,
and / thought would see you, and tell you
the facts before he got here"
/ do not see how Bryce could have OBJ
tanned the note without he paid him the
money"