Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-10-21
THE STOLEN NOTE.
By A RETIRED ATTORNEY.

BY RETIRED ATTORNEY.
Except that he INDUCED too freely in the use
OF the intoxicating cup, John wallace was an
honest, high-minded and extraordinary man.
His one great fault hung like a dark shadow
over his many virtues. He meant well, and
when he was sober he did well.
He was halter by trade, and by industry and
thrift he had secured money enough to buy the
house in which he lived. He had purchased it
several years before, for three thousand dollars,
paying one thousand down and securing the bal,
anee by mortgage to the seller.
The mortgage was almost due at the time cir
cumstanees made me acquainted with the af-
fairs of the family. But Wallace was ready for
the day; he had saved up the money; there
seemed to be no possibility of an accident.
was wen acquainted with Wallace, having done
some little collecting, and drawn up legal docu-
ments for him. One day his daughter Annie
came to my Office in great distress, declaring
that her father wasiruined, and that they should
beufurned out of the house in which they lived
SPerbaps NOT. Miss wallace y said II irving
to console her, and give the affair, whatever It
was, bright aspect. "What has happened?''
"My father, !" she replied chad the money to
pay the mortgage on the house in which we
live; but it all gone now"
al don't. know; 1 suppose so. Last week he
drew two thousand dollars from the bank, and
lent il to Mr.. Bryce for ten days"
"Who is Mr.. Bryce?"
"He is broker. My father got acquainted
with him through George Chandler who boards
Docs Mr.. Bryce refuse to pay it?,
che says he has paid it,
well, what's the trouble then?"
"Father says he has not paid it."
Indeed, But the note will prove that he has
paid it. OF course, you have the note?"
"No. MIR. Bryce has it."
"Then of course he has paid it?"
al suppose he has, or he could not have the
note"
"what does your father say?"
" He is positive that he never received the
hn hn hA Il
tomorrow"
every singular! Was your father
hesitated to use the unpleasant word which
must have grated harshly ON the ear of the de-
voted girl.
"Mr Bryce says father was not quite right
when he paid him, but not very bad"
81 viii see your father"
Gle is coming up here in a few moments:
thought 1 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
your father keep it?''
He gave 1t to me, and put in the secretary"
Who was in the room when you put 1t in the
secretary"
"Mr. Bryce, George Chandler, my father and
myself"
The conversation was here interrupted by the
entrance of Wallace. He looked pale and bag
gard, as much from the effects of anxiety as
from the debauch from which he was recover
ing.
:" She has told you about it, L suppose" said
"She has"
/ pitied him, poor fellow, for two thousand
dollars was large sum for him to accumulate
in his little business. The loss oft would make
the future look like desert to him. 1t would
be misfortune which one must undergo to ap-
preciate it.
what passed between you on that day?"
Well, merely stepped into his ofice-it was
only the day before yesterday-to tell him not
to forget to have the money for me by to-mOr-
row. lie took me into his back office, and as
the next day. He then left me and went into
the front office, where heard him send George
out to the bank, to draw check for two thous-
and dollars; so L supposed he was going to pay
me men.
w hat does the clerk say about i'll"
!" lie says Mr.. Bruce remarked, when he sent
him, that he was going to pay me the money!
just So"
ana when george came in he went into the
front office again and took the money. Then he
came to me again, and did not otter to pay me
the money.
. II ad you the note with you?'
No; now L remember, he said he supposed
had not the note with me, OF he would pay it, L
told him to come in the next day and 1 would
have it ready-that was yesterday. When l
came to look for the note ii could not be found.
Annie and have hunted the house all Oyern
gu told ETyce 500
g did. He laughed and showed me his note.
with his signature crossed over with ink, and a
hole punched through II"
80 1t is plain, Mr.. Wallace, that he paid Won
lent possession of the note, and intends to cheat
YOU out of the amount"
:. he never paid me, )" he replied firmly.
"Then he has fTaudulentiy obtained nos
session Of the note. What sort of a person is
that Chandler, who boards with you?"
"A fine young man. Bless you, he would not
do anyt thing OF that kind
g am sure he would not" repeated Annie
earnestly.
. How else could Bryce obtain the note but
through him? What time does he come home
al night"
90 Always at tea time. lie never goes out in
the evening.
I" But, father, he did not come home till ten
O'Clock the night before you went 10 Bryce's
He had 10 stay iii the office to post books or
something OF the kind.
:. How did he get imp"
81 He has a night key
must see Chandler said I.
% No harm i'll seeing him." added Mr.. Wal
lace; will go for him."
In few moments he returned with the young
man. Chandler, who. in the conversation had
with him, manifested a very lively interest in
the solution of the mystery, and protested him
self ready to do anything TO forward NV views