Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-05-19
family Gntle.
THE PROMIssORY NOTE.
BY JAMS W. Mc'DERMoTT.

Tue Ddck Oh u less pF6JenulHg Sedb, u pa
per in his hand and a cigar in his mouth.
He came to the office at 9 A. M, and had
been SC occupied for the last hour without
being disturbed. The little grey eyed
red haired boy, who lit the fire, when
one was wanted, did the writing, when
there was any, and smoked Toms cigar
stumps, when they were not thrown into
the~-.stove, had, from some unaccountable
cause, not as yet made his appearance
But, as it was a fine summer morning,
warm and bright, las things must have
hinted) there was nothing to be done in
a great hurry, and our legal friend took
it as cool as the weather would permit,
and still smoked on.
We all know that the generality of la
dies dislike " the filthy habit of using to-
bacco ;" but, could one of the fair sex,
from some hidden corner, have watched
that briefess young mans face, as he
threw down the paper and leaned back
in dreamy thought, and seen the almost
imperceptible smiles that fit across his
countenance in mimic tide waves, as the
blue smoke curlcd over his head that lady
at least, would have been convinced that
there was some magic spell about that
I" filthy tobacco after all.
Who can tell what sweet visions it con
jnred up? Rich clients arrayed in
trouble dark" may have appeared
within the circle of the blue smoke, and
increased in the number till the dusty
little office would not hold them. And
then he may have moved (smoke, clients
and alD to a fine suit in the finest build
ing in the city, and hired a boy especially
to make the aforesaid rich clients take
their turns in due order from the ante
room to the presence of the great man
who never opened his lips for less than
fifty dollars. But the cigar has grown
short, and now some one is coming up
stairs, "only that little rascal SAM"
thought Tom. But no, there's a soft
knock at the door. Sam never knocks.
Mr.. Cartwright is there in an instant, for
he's aware that men (like SOM seldom
knock, and the chances are its a LADY,
And so it was.
"Mr. Cartwright, I presume" she said,
OF entering.
ayes, madam -; please be seated"
81 called, sir, to obtain, she continued,
in a sweet voice" some legal advice and
help"
Nothing will give me greater pleas
ure," said he, smiling and bowling.
"Well, sir, | am almost a stranger in
this town, and my husband is in great
trouble he was arrested this morning
while we were at breakfast. I could
scarcely believe it possible when the off
GERS persisted in taking him from our
humble home and oh, sir. it is on a Grim
inal charge. My husband, whom l know
is the soul of honesty, is now an inmate
of tho prison charged with forgery"
My dear madam, you are indeed in
great trouble" exclaimed Mr.. Cartwright
and you can rely on my doing all I can
to assist you"
"'Before doing SO, l wish you to under.
stand distinctly that my poor husband is
innocent, entirely SO, of the charge pre-
ferred against him."
"If | thought he was guilty I would
not defend him."
a am glad it is SO shall I state the
case as / am able, to you ?"
The young lawyer bowed and she pro
ceeded.
"My husband whose name is James
ldell, and | came to this town about
three months since. Previous to that we
lived in New York, where he was book
keeper in a respectable mercantile house;
but the duties being very onerous, he of
ten wished to obtain a situation where,
although his salary might be less, he
would not be so great a slave to business.
About four months since VIM. Greytown.
the gentleman whose name Mr.. Idell is
accused of having forged, was first intro
duced to him in business transactions.
and my husband invited him to our house,
as Mr.. Greytown was then staying in
New York purchasing merchandise. He
remained with us during the time he had
to stay in the city, and as he seemed to
exert himself to please and entertain, we
all became very soeiable. Before leaving
he offered my husband a situation, agree
ing to give him a stated salary with a
percentage on the yearly profits, if he
would come to S and take the entire
manage of his b~usinesa, of course to be
assisted by his employer. Mr.. Idell
d&loou W III anu we came 10 this town.
At first all progressed smoothly and we
were congralulating ourselves on the
change, when a, circumstance occurred
which entirely married our happiness and
laid bare the yillany of our supposed
friend. Yesterday evening my husband
was requested to go to B, by Mr..
Greytown. on business matters he did
not leave until late, and could not expect
to return before the next day. During
the course Of the evening Mr.. Greytown
called to see us. as he said, and expressed
surprise at Mr.. Idell's absence. [ told
him that my husband said before leaving
that it was by his wish he had gone to
B. But he assured me that there was
some mistake. At that | much wondered.
for | never knew him to make mistakes
of that nature. However Mr.. Greytown
stayed to supper and have but to say
hat his conduct was such as compelled
me to order him to leave the house, which
ne did, .vowing revenge. This morning
Mr.. ldell returned early and was arrested
on a charge of forgery"
DO you know to what instrument your
husband is accused Of having forged the
name ?" asked Mr.. Cartwright.
(" Yes, it is a promissory note for ona