Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-08-31
81 isGRIIa ueGls
The Stolen Note.
BY 4 RETIRED ATTORNEY.

Except that he INDUCED too freely in
the use of the intoxicating cup, John
Wallace was an honest, high-mindcd and
exemplary man. His one great fault
hung like shadow over his many virtues
He meant we'll, and when he was sober he
did we'll.
He was halter by trade, and by in
dastry and thrift ne had acquired money
sufficient to buy the house in which he
lived. He had purchased it several years
before, fer three theasasa down, and
securing the balance by mortgage to the
seller.
The mortgage note was almost due at
the time circumstances made me acquain-
ted with the affairs of the family. But
Wallace was ready for the day he had
saved up the money there appeared to
be no possibility of an accident. | was
we'll acquainted with Wallace, having
done some little collecting, and drawn up
legal documents for him. One day his
daughter Annie 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 I,
trying to console her, and give the affair,
whatever it was, & bright aspect. What
has happened "
My father she replied, hal the money
to pay the mortgages on the house in
which We live, but 1t is all gone now.
HAS he lost it?'
4 don't know; l suppose SO. Last
week he drew two thousand dollars from
the bank, and lent it to Mr.. Bryce for ten
days
who is Bryce :?
FHe is broker. My father got ae-
quainted with him through Geo. Chandler
who boards with US, and who is Mr..
Sryce's clerk
. Does Mr.. Bryce refuse to pay it?'
He says he has paid it,
we'll, what is the trouble then 2
Father says he has not paid IL.
Indeed But the note viii prove that
he has paid it., OF course you have the
note !?
No, Mr.. Bryce has il.
Then, of course he has paid it.
[ suppose he has, or he could not have
had the note.
What does your father say?
He is positive that he never received
toe money. The mortgage, he says,
must be paid tomorrow.
Very singular! Was your father
| hesitated to use the unpleasant word
which aust have grated harshly on the
ear Of the devoted girl
Dir. Bryce says father was not quite
right when he paid him, but not very
bad.
will see your father.
He is coming up here in few mo-
ments /, [ thought I would see you first
and tell you the facts before he came.
| do not see how Bryce could have
obtained the note, unless he paid the
money. Where did you father keep it !
He gave it to me, and | pat it in the
secretary?
Who was in the room when you put il
in the secretary
Mr.. Bryce, George Chandler, my
father and myself.
The conversation was here interrupted
by the entrance of Mr.. Wallace. He
looked pale and haggard, as much from
the effects of anxiety as from the debauch
from which he was recovering.
She has told you about it. | suppose,
said he, in very low tore.
She has.
Ipitied him, poor fellow, for two
thousand dollars was large sum to him
to accumulate ID his little business. The
loss of it would make the future look like
a desert to him. 1t would be misfor-
tune which one must undergo to apper-
ciate it.
What passed between you on that day?
Well, | merely stepped into his office
it was only the day before yesterday
to tell him not to forget to have the
money for me by TO morrow. He took
me into his back Office, and as | sat there