Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-10-07
GrIcttc0 4flistcllonp.
THE STOLEN NOTE.
BY A RETIRED ATTORNEY.

Except that he INDUCED too freely in
the use of the intoxicating cup, John
Wallace was an honest, high minded,
and exemplary man. His one great
fault hing like dark shadow over his
many irtues. He meant well, and when
he was sober he did well.
He was latter by trade, and by his
industry and thrift, had acquired money
enough to buy the house in which he
lived lie had purchased it several
years before at three thousand dollars,
paying one thousand down, aud securing
the balance by a mortgage to the seller.
The mortgage bond was almost due at
the time when the circumstances made
me acquainted with the affairs of the
family. But Wallace was ready for the
day he had saved up the money; there
seemed 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 ruined, and that they
should be turned out of the house in
which they lived.
Perhaps not, Miss Wallace" | said
trying to console her, and give the affair
whatever it was, brighter aspect.
What has happened?"
"My father" she replied, had the
money all ready to pay the mortgage on
the house in which We liye-but it is all
gone now"
" Has he lost it 2"
81 don't know; suppose so. Last
week he drew out the two thousand dol
lars from the bank, and lent it to Mr..
Bryce for ten days"
/" Who is Mr.. Bryce 2"
He is broker. My father got ac-
quaintcd with him through Geo. Chan
der; who boards with us, and who is
Mr.. Brycc'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 y but the note will be evil
dence that he has not paid it, Ofcoursc
you have the note r.
mo Mr.. Bryce has it.
Then, of course, he has paid it,"
i suppose he has, or he could not
have had the note"
What does your father say"
"le is positive he never received the
money The mortgage must be paid to-
morrow"
=" Very, very singular. Was your
father drunk p
| hcsitated TO use that unpleasant
word which must have Created harshly
on the ear Of the devoted girl.
Z" Mr.. Bryce says my father was not
just right when he paid him, though not
very bad"
" ! will see your father"
" He is coming here in few minutes;
but | thought | would see you and tell
you the facts before he came"
Il do not see how Bryce could have
obtained the note unless he paid the
money. Where did your father keep it,"
" He gave it to me, and put it in the
secretary in the front ROOM"
"Wbo was in the room when you
put it in the Secretary 2"
" Mr.. Bryce, George Chandler, my
father, and myself"
The conversation was here interrupted
by the entrance Of Wallace. He looked
pale and haggard, asmuch from the ef-
fleets of anxiety, as of the debauch from
which he was just recovering.
" She has told you all about it, sap
pose y said be in very sad tone
"She has"
l pitied him, poor fellow, for the two
dollars was a large sum for him
10 accumulate in his little business. The
loss Of it would make the future look like
a desert to bin. 1t would be misfor-
tune which one must undergo in order
10 appreciate il.
What do you think about it p asked