Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-01-16
miscellaneous.
THE REJECTED BANK NOTE.

THE REL CIED BANK NOTE.
What is the price Of this dressing gown
sif ? asked a sweet-faced girl entering the
elegant store Of Huntey g. Warner, in a city,
and a street Of city, which shall be name
less.
1t was a cloudy day. The clerks lounged
over the counter and yswned. The man to
whom Alice Locke addressed herself was
iaunty and midde-aged. He was head clerk
OF the extensive establishment of Huntey q
Warner, and extremely consequential in man
ner.
This dressing gown we value at six dollars
you shall have IL at five, as trade is duh to-
day
Five dollars !! Alice looked at the dress.
ing gown longingy, and the clerk look at
her. He saw that her clothes, though made
and worn gentcelly, were common enough in
texture. and that her face was very much out
Of the common line. How it changed now
shaded, now lighted, by the varied play Of her
emotions. The clerk could almost have sworn
that she had no more than that sum, five dol
lars, in her possession.
The gown was very good one for the price.
1t was common shade, tOlerable merino,
and lined with the same material.
Il think'-she hesitated moment, Il think
I'll take it, she said then seeing in the face
before her an expression she did not like, she
blushed IS she handed out the bill the
clerk had made up his mind not to take.
Jennis, cried Torrent, the head clerk, in
quick, pompous tone, pass up the bank note
detector.'
Up ran the tow headed boy with the de,ec-
tor, and down ran the clerks eye from column
to column. Then he looked over with sharp
glance and exclaimed;
That's a counterfeit bill. Miss
Counterfeit oh, no, it cannot be The
man who sent it could not have been so care
less you must be mistaken. sir
81 am not mistaken; I'm never mistaken,
Miss. This bill is counterfeit. | must pre-
sumo, of COURSE that you did not do it, al
though so much bad money has been offered
us of late that we intend to secure such per-
sons as pass it. Who did you say sent it ?
Mr.. c., sir, Of New York. He could
not send me bad monty, said the trembling
frightened girl.
'Humph T said the clerk. well, there,
no doubt about this; you can look for your
self. Now don't let me see you here agar
until you can bring good money, for we al
ways suspect such persons as you that CONF
on dark days with well made story
But, sr--
You need make no explanations, Miss,
said the clerk, insultingly. Take your bill
and the next time you want to buy dressing
gown, don't try to pass your counterfeit mon
ey,' and he handed it the bill fell from his
hands.
Alice caught it from the floor and hurried
into the street.
Such look the girl had never received. -
Il b.. q. l..A.
her way in, and presented the note to nobl
looking man with gray hair, ialtering out, Il
this bad one, sir
The cashier and his son happened to b
the only persons present. Both noticed be
extreme youth, beauty, agitation.
The cashier looked closely and handed i
back, as with polite bow and somewhat pro
longed look, be said
Its good bill, young lady
Il knew it was, cried Alice with qaiver
ing lip-'and he dared
She could no further, but entirely over
come, she bent. her head, the hot tears ha
their way.
Il beg pardon; have you had any troubl
with it : asked the cashier.
ooh, sir, you will excuse me for giving wa
to my feelings, bat you spoke so kindly, an
such men as one of the clerks in Huntley
Warners should be removed He told me
was counterfeit, and added somsthng at
glad my father did not hear. knew tn
publisher would not send me bad money
who is your father, young lady aske
the cashier, becoming interested
Mr.. Benjamin Locke, sir
Ben amin--Ben Loeke-was he ever
nlarL In the Navv Danartuapt at Waahint
ton :
'Yes, sir we removed from there r
piled Alice. Since then. '-she hesitated-
she has not been well--and we are somewh
reduced. Oh, why do l tell these thing
sirf
Ben. Locke reduced T" murmured, q
cashier; the man who was the making Of m
Give me his number and street, my child
Your father was one of the best, perhaps Il
only friend had. | have not forgotten hil
No. 4 Liberty Street. will call this evenin
Meantime let me have the bill--let me sc
I'll give you another. Since have come
look, haven't got a fve--heres ten we
make it all right
That evening the inmates of shabby ge
teel house received the cashier of the M
bank. Mr.. Locke, man of gray hair, thou
numbering but fifty years, rose from his al
chair, and much affected, greeted the iamili
face. The son Of the cashier accompani
him, and while the elders talked togelh'
Alice and the young man grew quite chatty
Yes, sir. have been unfortunate ST
Mr.. Locke in low tone. Il have just
covered as you see, from rheumatic few
caused by undue exertion--and had II n
been for that sweet girl OF mine, know L
what | should lave done, She, by giyi
lessons in music aud French, and by writ
for periodicals, has kept me, so far, abo
want
you shall not want, my old friend sa
the cashier. IL vas kind providence Il
sent your daughter to me. There's place
the bank just made vacant by the death o
valuable clerk, it is at your disposal 1t
my gift. and valued attwelve hundred a yea
o Pen cannot describe the joy with viii
tLthis kind offer was accepted. The day Of
liverance had come.