Connecticut western news., 1871-09-29
THE STOLEN NOTE,

the use of the intoxicating cup, John Wal lace was an honest, high-minded man. His one great fault hung like dark shadow over his many virtues. He meant we'll. and when he was sober he did we'll.
 He was natter by trade, and by indus try 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 balance by mortgage, to the seller ... The mortgage note was almost due at the time circumstances made me acuuaint- ed with the affairs 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. I was we'll acquainted with Wallace, having done some little collecting, and drawn up some 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,n said I. trying to console her, and give the affair, whatever it was, bright aspect. "Wbat has happened ?" - "My father." she replied shad the mon- ey to pay the mortgage on the house in "nicn iGI we live, but 1t is all gone now."
 "Has he lost it ?''
 "! don't know ; suppose so. Last week he drew two thousand dollars from days.n -... -,,---''','' "Who is Mr. Bryce 2'' -s-.,r s.. ..a...
 lie IS a broker. My father got ac- qualnted with him through George Chand- Ter who boards with us, and who is MT. Bryce's clerk" VI -
 Docs Mr. Bryce refusesto pay it?'
 ''He says he has paid it."
 Well, what is the trouble then ?''
 Father says he has not paid it.o
 indeed! But the note will prove that he has paid it. Of course you have the note ?"
 'No. MT. Bryce has it.n
 "Ihen, of course he has paid it. 5 ., Il suppose he has, or he could not have What does your father say ?'' 'He IS positive that he never received the money. The mortgage, he says. must be paid tomorrow. - ..Es |
 "very singular! Was your father-n
 hesltated to use the unpleasant word which must have grated harshly on the ear ot the devoted girl.
 "Mr. Bryce says father was not quite right when he paid him, but not very bad. ''
 "l will see your father" .
 "He IS coming up here in few mo- ments; thought would see you first and tell you the facts before he came.n
 "l do not see how Bryce could have ob- talned the note, unless he paid the money Where did your father keep it ?''
 "He gave it to me, andsI put it in tbe secretary"
 "Who was in the room when you put it in the secretary ?' IT.
 "Mr. Bryce, George Chandler, my father and myself.''
 The conversation was here interrupteo by the entrance of Wallace. He looked pale and haggard, as much from the effects of anxiety as from the debauch from which he was recovering.
 tsne has told you about it, suppose,' said he, in very low tone
 "She has.o
 pltied him, poor fellow, for two thou sand dollars was large sum for him tc accumulate in his little business. Theloss ot 1t would make the future look like : desert to him. It would be misfortune which one must undergo to appreciate it. "Wh hat passed between you on thai day7" -. -"
 "Well, l merely stepped into his office it was only the day before yesterday-tt tell him not to forget to have the money TOT me by to morrow. He took me intC ms back office, and as 1 sat there he saic be would get the money ready the next day He then left me and went in to tht front office, where I heard him senc George out to the bank, to draw a check for two thousand dollars; so supposed h, was going to pay me then.n
 What does the clerk say about it ?''
 He says MT. Bryce remarked, when h, sent him, that he was going to pay tn, money.n
 "Just so.'
 "And when George came in he went int, the front office again and took the money Then he came to me again, and did not of fer to pay me the money.n
 "Had you the note with you p,
 "No; now I remember, he said he SUD posed l had not the note with me, or h. would pay it. 1 told him to come in tn next day and I would have it ready-tha was yesterday. When came to look fo the note it could not be found; Annie an l have hunted the house all over.n
 ''You told Bryce so.'
 "I did. He laughed and showed hi note, with his signature crossed over wit ink, and hole punched through it.n
 Ut is plain, MT. Wallace, that he pal