The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1868-04-23
THE STOLEN NOTE.
BY A RETIRED ATTORNEY.

markable phase of villainy is, that a
man himself wealthy can find it in
his heart to plunder the poor of
their earnings for long and weary
years. When the rich rob the rich,
it seems not half Sc wicked as when
a man Of humble means is deprived
of his humble substance. l have
often seen the entire property of
individuals swept away at single
stroke Of misfortune and more
than once 1 have seen a man, who
thought he had competence, ruined
in a single day by villain.
The instance I am about to re-
late, though happily the designs of
the robber were frustrated, is one
of this character, where an unscru-
pulous person designed to send
misery and ruin to a family of an
humble mechanic.
Except that he indulged too free
ly in the use of the Intoxicating cup.
John Wallace was an honest, high
minded and exemplary man. His
one great fault hung like dark
shadow over his many virtues. He
meant we'll, and when sober he did
well.
He was halter by trade, and by
his industry and thrift had acquired
money to buy the house in which
he lived. He had purchased it sew
eral years before for S3, 700, paying
one thousand down and securing
the balance by mortgage to the
seller.
The mortgage was almost due al
the time when Il circumstance oc
Cured which made me acquainted
with the affairs of the family. But
Wallace was ready for the day, be
had saved up the money, and there
seemed no possibility of an acci
dent. -ur
/ always bought my hats of Wal
lace, and am free to say that they
were the best hats the city afforded
I had always done some little col
lecting, and drawn up some lega
documents for him.
One day hts daughter Annie came
to my office in great distress, de
claring that her father was ruined
and that they should be turned ou1
Of the house in which they lived.
'Perhaps not, Miss Wallace" re
piled I, trying to console her, anc
give the affair, whatever it was, {
brighter aspect.
"You know my father, Mr.
Docket -
Il do, very well.''
"You know his infirmity p
81 do am sorry for him. Ther'
is not a more honest Or better dis
posed person i'll Boston than you
father"
s'He is very good and kind to III
all !; but
II hope his infrmity does no
render him troublesome at home ?
"No sir; the people take advan
tage of him.
"What has happened ?"
"He had the money to pay til,
mortgage on the house in which W,
live-but it is all gone now.''
"Gone? %
eyes, gone
"Lost p
81 don't know; I suppose SO
Last week he drew the two thous
and dollars from the bank, and len
it to Mr.. Bryce for ten days"
''Whe is Mr.. Bryce ?"
sHe is broker. Ny father go
acquainted with. him through Geo
Chandler, who boards with us, an
Mr.. Bryce's clerk"
The poor girl blushed when sh
mentioned the clerks name, and i
did not require great deal Of pen
etration for me to discover that h
was her lover.
"Does Mr.. Bryce refuse to pay ?
'He has paid it,
"Well, what's the trouble then :?
''Eather says he has not paid it.
"Indeed, but the note will be ey
idence he has not paid it. Ofcours
you have the note ?''-
"No, Mr.. Bryce has it."
"Then of course he has paid it. :"
81 suppose he has, or he coul
not have had the note.''
ssWhat does your father say p
I Gle is positive that he never re
ceived the money. The mortgag
must be paid tomorrow"
"That is very singular. Wa
your father"
hesitated to use the unpleasant
wordI knew it must have crate
harshly on the ear of the devote
girl.
"Mr. Bryce says my father wa
not just right when he paid him
: y \ - q.