The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1863-09-02
THE LOST BANK NOTE.
By A RETIRED ATTORNEY.

For the present, with its serene joys,
sometimes look back upon the past with lis
trials and it's struggles. In my quiet home
in the conntry feel "a though the battle
had been fought and the victory won To
me lille has been busy, busting scene,
and here, in my quie, library, surrounded
by the well-thumbed volumes Of Blackstone,
Chitty and their fellows, / feel as though |
had completely emerged from :he din OF
the world, and that my heaven had COM
menced here on earth.
In thirty years of practice have been an
actor in many life-drams which may pos
seas to others some portion of the interest
with which regard them but more for my
own amusement, however, than for the edi-
ficatiou of the reader-ihough trust my
narrative may not be without its moral
transcribe from the page of memory an in
cident from my experience.
was seated in my office, busily engaged
in hunting up the law for a certain case Of
some importance, when the door was timid
ly opened, and a young lady, apparently
not more than seventeen years of age, step
ped into the room Without being very
pretty, she had countsnance and an express
sion which failed not 10 attract the interest
of The beholder.
She was quite pale, and seemed to shrink
with instructive dread from The glance
bestowed upon her. But her sweet face
and gentle manners had already won my
sympathy. Her sad face and timid move
ments assured me that she had a painful
tail to tell yet / was not indisposed TO
hear it.
A visitor with less prepossessing face
would have called forth a frown and a short
answer, for was in the very midst of an
investigation which promised to reward my
search IN satisfactory manner.
Sheadyanced towards my desk, and
closed my book, and rose to receive her.
"Mr. Docket !" said she, and saw her
lips temble with emotion as she spoke.
signi6ed TO her that I vas the person
she sought, and handed her chair; a civil
ity which her trembling frame enabled her
to appreciate, for her agitation seemed 10
be entirely beyond her control.
After allowing her few moments to re-
cover herself possession, gently inquired
her business with me.
81 have brother,p she began, and the
hot tears filed her eyes, and for a moment
obslructed her vision. Her heart seemed
to choke with its wild beatings-
"May know whom address 1' asked
moderating my voice, SO as TO afford her all
the encouragement which gentle tones
could convey,
s'Alice Wade, che replied.
''You seem 10 be in distress. Let me
beg of you to be calm, perhaps your case
is not so bad as you suppose"
ssMay Heaven grant that il be not ~
"Take youf own time, Miss Wade. Per-
haps you had better wait few moments
till you feel better able 10 proceed, and in
the meantime assure you OF my desire TO
serve you"
"Thank you, sir" sobbed she, as turn
ed 20 my law books, SO as not to embarrass
her by seeming to be waiting for her 10 re-
cover ner caImness.
But had lost the clue to the investiga-
iion, and though | fixed nay eyes on the
book, it was only to think OF the weeping
maid by my side. waited till her Sob
bings ceased, and then carefully approach
ed the object of her visit.
81 am taking up your time, Mr.. Docket,
bat have heard that you were a kind and
charitable gentleman, and have ventured
to seek your aid"
1t was a very blunt compliment, but
doubted no, lis sincerity. There could be
no hypocrisy in that gentle maidsn-none,
even 10 accomplish the most cherished Pur-
pose.
"Whatsvsr can do for you, Miss Wade,