The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-01-20
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Stolen Note.
BY a RETIRED ATTORNEY.

Except that he INDUCED too freely in
the use Of the intoxicating cup, John Wal.
lace was an honest, high-minded and ex-
emplary man. His one great fault hung
like dark shadow over his many virtues.
He meant WE'LL and when he was sober he
did well.
He was halter by trade, and by indus
try and thrift had acquired money sufiic-
lent to buy the house in which he lived.
lie had purchased it several years before,
for three thousand dollars, paying one
thousand down and securing the balance
by mortgage to the seller.
The mortgaged note was almost due at
the time the circumstances made me ac-
quainted with the affairs of the family.
But Wallace was ready for the day he
had saved up the money there appeared
to be no possibility Of an accident. | was
well acquainted with Wallace, having done
some little collecting, and drawn up some
legal documents for him. One day his
daughter Anne came to my office in great
distress, declaring that her father was ru-
ined, and that they should be turned out
of the house in which they lived.
" Perhaps not, Miss Wallace" said l.,
trying to console her, and give the affair,
whatever it was, a brighter aspect
What has happened ?"
"My father" she replied, had the
money to pay the mortgage on the house
in which we live, but it is all gone now"
" Has he lost t?'
- don't know | suppose so. Last
week he drew two thousand dollars from
the bank, and lent it to Mr.. Bryce for
ten days"
"Who is Mr. Bryce7"
"He is broker My father got ac-
quainted with him through George Cham
dler, who boards with us, and who is Mr..
Bryce's clerk"
." Does Mr.. Bryce refuse to pay it ?"
He says he has paid it."
Well what is the trouble then ?"
Father says he has not paid it,"
Indeed But the note will prove that
he has not paid it, OF course you have
the note"
"No Mr.. Bryce has it,"
"Then of course he has paid it."
81 suppose he has or he could not have
had the note"
What does your father say ?"
"He is positive that he has never re
ceived the money The mortgage, he say
must be paid tomorrow"
VERY singular! Was your father
l hesitated to use the unpleasant word
which must have grated harshly on the ca
of the devoted girl.
"Mr. Bryce says my father was no
just right when he paid him. though no
very bad"
Il will see your father"
"He IS coming here in few moments
l thought would see you first and te
you the facts before he came"
81 do not see how Bryce could have oil
tanned the note, unless he paid the monej
Where did your father keep it ?"
"He gave it to me, and I put it in III
secretary in the front ROOM"
"Who were in the room when you p,
it in the secretary"
Mr.. Bryce, George Chandler, NV fatl
er and myself.
The conversation was here interrupte
by the entrance Of Wallace. He locke
pale and haggard, as much from the efFe
of anxiety as of the debauch from whic
he was just recovering.
"She has told you about it, suppose
said he, in very low tone.
"She has,"
pitied him, poor fellow, for two tho
sand dollars was large sum for him
accumulate in his little business. The 10
Of it would make the future look like
desert to him. 1t would he misfortul
which one must undergo to appreciate
"What do you thing about It ?" ask,
he, very gloomily. II know he never pa
me. | was not much in liquor at the tim
l remember very well of going as reguls