The Van Buren press., 1871-11-07
MISCELLANY.
The Stolen Notes.

bACePt tHNt H6 Hiuutfeu iop 'SSiy ="
the use of the intoxicating cup, John
was an honest, high minded and
exemplary man. His one great fault
hung like dark shadow over his many
virtues. He meant well, and when he
was sober he did well.
He was halter by trade, and by in
dustry and thrift he had acquired money
sufficient to buy the house in which he
lived. He had purchase 81 it several years
before, for three thousand dollars, pay
ing one thousand dollars dollars down,
and securing the balance by mortgage to
the seller Il
The mortgage was ahpost due at the
time circumstances made me acquainted
withthe affairs of the family, But Wallace
was ready for the dayishe had saved mp
the money, there appeared to be no pos
sibility of an accident. was well nc
quaintcd with Wallace, having done some
little collecting, and drawn up legal docu-
ments for him One Day bis daughter
Annie came 10 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 |,
trying to console her, and give the affair
whatever it was bright aspect. "What
has happened "
My father" she replied, "had the
money to pay the mortgage on the house
in which we live, but it is all gone now.
HAS he lost it p
81 don't know; Isuppose so. Last
week he drew two Thousand dollars from
the bank and lent it y Mr. Bryce for ten
days. "
"Who is Mr.. Bryce
I" He is a broker. sMy father got ac-
quainted with him Trough Geo. Chan
dler who boards Win us, and who is
Bryce's clerk
Does Mr. Bryce fefuse to pay it?'
"He say. he hashid it. "
"Well, what is tbs trouble then ?"
Father says he has not paid it. "
Indeed, but thesnete will prove that
he has not paid it, OF course yeu have
the note p
mo, Mr. Bryce has it. "
"Then of course he has paid it. "
81 suppose he has. or he could not
have had the note"
"What does yourfather say ?"
"He is positive that he has never re-
ceived the money. The mortgage he
says must be paid to morrow
"Very singular Was your father"
| hesitated to uss'the unpleasant word
which must have gFated harshly On the
ear of the devstedKrl.
" Mr. Bryce saysA.athcr was not quite
right when he paid him, but very bad. "
II 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. y
~ do not see how Bryce could have
obtained the note, unless he paid the
money Where did your father keep ii ?
:" He gave it to me, and put it in the
secretary, in the front room.
"Who was in the room when you put
it in the secretary Z"
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 effect Of anxiety AS from the debauch
from which he was recovering.
"She has toldyou about it | suppose, y
said he, in very low tone.
"She has
] pitied him poor fellow, for two thou
sand dollars was a large sum for him to
accumulate in his little business. The
loss of it would make the future look
like q desert to him. 1t would be mis-.
fortune which one must undergo to ap-
preciats il
"What passed between you on that
o.;y'" .,.,, g.. :,
fce-it was only day before yesterday
to tell him not to forget 70 nave 'ne
money for me tomorrow. He took me
into his back oflicc, and as l sat there he
said he would get the money ready next
day. He then left me and went INTO the
front Office, where / heard him send
George out to the bank TO draw check
tor two thousand dollars; 50 | supposed
he was going to pay me then.
"What does the clerk say about itT'
"He says Mr. Bryce remarked, when
bc sent MIN, that he was going e pay
me the money "
"Just 50.
"And when George came in he went
into the front Office again and took the
money. Then he came to me again, but
did not offer TO pay me the money.
"Hsd you the note with your
"No; now | remember, he said he
supposed had not the note with me, or
he would pay it. | told him to come in
the next day. and ! would have it ready
that was yesterday When ! came to
look for the note it could not be found !:
Annie and have hunted the house all
over"
"You told Bryce so ?"
81 did. He laughed, and showed me
his note, with his signature crossed over
with ink, and hole punched through
it."
1T is plain Mr. Wallace. that he paid
you tue money as alleged or hss obtain.
cd fraudulent possession OF the note, and
intends to cheat you out ofth amount
"He never paid me-" he replied firm.
ly
"Then he has fraudulently obtained
possession Of the note. What sort OF a
person is that Chandler. who boards with
your"