The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1864-04-28
The Lost Hank Note.
BIZ A RETrRED ATTORNEY.

From the present with its serene joy,
/ sometimes look back upon the past
with its trials and struggles. In my
quiet homo in the country, feel a,
though the battle had been fought and
the victory won. To me hfe has beer
. busy and bustling scene, and here i,
my quiet library, surrounded by the
well thumbed volumes Of Blackstone
Chitty, and he,r fellows, l fell .,
though l had completely emerged from
the din of The world, and that my heav'
en- had commenced on earth
In thirty odd Yeas Of ofpractice, I have
been an actor in many . life drama
which may possess to others some por
ton Of the interest with which regard
them; but more for my own amuse
ment however, than for the edificctior
Of the reader-I trust my narrative may
not be- without its moral-I transcr;be
them from the page of memory from
my own experience.
], I was seated in my Office busily en-.
gagged in hunting up the law for Ger
tain case Of Importance, when tie doc,
was opened, and a young lady appar
emily not more than seventeen years oi
age stepped into the room. Wi:hou,
being very pretty, she had . counter
ance and expression which would no.
fail TO attract the interest Of the be.
holder.
She was qn;te pale, and seemed to
shrink with instructive dread at the
glance bestowed upon her. Yet her
sweet face and gentle manners had al
ready won my sympathy; her sad face
and timil movements assured me she
had painful tale 10 tell; yet was no,
at the time disposed to hear i.
A visitor with a less prepossessing
face would have called forth a frowr
and short answer, for was in The
very midst Of an investigation which
promised to reward my search in 0
most satisfactory manner.
She advanced toward my desk, and
| closed my book to receive Ter.
"Mr. Docket?" said she, and I saw
her lips tremble with emotion as sh.
spoke the words.
/ signi6ed 10 her that I Was the per
son she sought, and handed her chai,
q civility which her trembling frame
her to appreciate, for her agi
tation seemed to be entirely beyond her
After allowing her a few minutes to
recover her self possession, I gently in
qnirec her business with me.
81 have BROTHER" she began, and
hot tears filled her eyes, and for a mo
ment obstructed her vision.
Her heart seemed to choke with its
wild beating.
"May know whom / address I"
asked, modulating my voice 90 as to
afford her all the encouragement which
gentle tones could convey.
"Alice Wsde," she replied.
"You seem to be in distress. Let me
beg Of you to be calm; perhaps your
,ase is not so bail as you suppose"
"May heaven send that it is not"
take your own time, Miss Wade
Perhaps you had better wait few min.
utes until you are better able to pro
coed, and in the meantime, l assure
you Of my desire to serve you."
"Thank you, sir,'' sobbed she, and
turned to my. law5ooks, 90 as not /,
embarrass her by seeming to wait fol
her to recover calmness.
But lost the clue to the investiga
ton and though fixed my eyes on til,
book, it was only to think of the weep
ing maiden by my eide. 1 waited til
her sobbings ceased, and then CAREFUL,
approached the subject of her visit.
Il am taking up your time, Nj
Docket; but I have heard that 20,
were q kind and charitable gentleman
and, therefore, ] have yentured to seel
your aid"
l. was very blunt compliment, bu
| doubted not its sincerity. Their
could be no hypocrisy in the gcntl
maiden, none, not even TO accompiis
most cherished purpose.
"Whatever can do for 'you, Mis-
Wade, shall be done with the creates
pleasure" added.
''Thank You, SIR"
''You must not look at the dark sid
Of your case. In law, we regard ma
innocent until he is proved guilty; an