davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27
THE STOLEN NOTE.
BY A RETIRED ATTORNEY.

Except that he INDUCED too freely
in the use of the intoxicating cup,
John Wallace was an honest, highs
minded man. His enc 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 to bay the house in which he
resided. He had purchased it several
years before, for three thousand dol
lars, 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
acquainted 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. l was well acquainted with
Wallace, having done some little col
lecting, 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 would be
turned out of the house in which they
lived.
perhaps not, Miss Wallace" said
], trying to console her, and give the
affairs, whatever it was, a 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 is all
gone now"
"Has he lost it2'
81 don't know; suppose 50. Last
week he drew two thousand dollars
from the bank, and lent it to "
Bryce for ten days"
"Who is Mr.. Bryce"
He is a broker. Ny father got
ooouo;oiss,di ;is,i with him through George
CT Chandler, n,,lI,. who l5oasas WI US, and
who is Mr.. Bryce's clerk.
.Does Mr.. Bryce refuse tO>2ay it?'
"llo says he has paid it.
"Well, what is the trouble, them" y
'Father says he has not paid it,
"Indeed! But the note will prove
that he has not paid it. Ofcourse you
have the note?"
'No. Mr.. Bryce has it.
"Then, of course, he has paid it.
- suppose he has, Or he could not
have the note.
"What does your father say"
"TIcis positive that be never received
the money. The mortgage, he says,
must be paid tomorrow
every SINGULAR Wasyour father
l hositated to use the unpleasant
word which must have grated harshly
on the ear Of the devoted girl.
"Mr. Bryce says father was not
quite right when he paid him, but not
very bad
81 will see your father
"He is coming up here in a few mo-
. pents; l thought I would see you first
- aua,el you the facts before he came
I&uot see how Bryce could have
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

Old John Berry liked to tell big
story. One evening, sitting in the vii
lage inn, he said he once drove horse
sevonty-two miles in one day on the ice
so thin that the water spirited up
thruogh the holes cut by the horses
hoofs One Of the bystanders remark
ed that seventy-two miles was a pretty
good drive for on day. "Yes," said
Uncle John, "but it was long day in
June"
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

IIOAlE, oNEEf HOME. - hOugh the
trite old song, "lome, Sweet Home
has been sung within the circle of al
most every household, yet how few
persons Of all who have heard its sweet
strains, know who was the author Of
those beautiful words:
"'Mid pleasures and palaces though we may
roam,
BE it ever SO humble, there's no place like
home"
Ii has, perhaps, never occurred to
the mind of any one unacquainted with
the circumstances that the writer of 4
song which has found an echo in so
many hearts could be other than one
who had experienced all the pleasures
of happy home; but sad as is the
reflection, it is nevertheless true, that
John Howard Payne, the author Of
Home, Sweet Home,' though he has
contributed to the happiness of many
homes, never had home of his own.
We clip the article below, suggesting
that a monument be erected to the
memofy Of Payne, and give it a place
in our columns, believing it viii find G
response in the hearts of our readers
"As l sit in my garret in Washing,
ton, watching the course Of the great
men, and the destiny Of party, | meet
often with strange contradictions in
this cventful life. The most remarka>
bic was that of John Howard Payne,
author of "Sweet Home" | knew him
personally, lie occupied the rooms
under me for some time, and his cons
versaton was so captivating that |
often spent whole days in his apart
mcnt. He was an applicant for office
at the time-consul at Tunis-from
which he had been removed.
What a sad thing it was to see the
poet subjected to all the humiliations
Of office seeking. OF an evening we
would walk along the street. Once in
a while we would see some family circle
so happy, and forming so beautiful a
group, that he would stop, and then
pass in silence on,
On such occasions he would give a
history of wandering, his trials, and all
the cares incident to his sensitive ma
ture and poverty. GLOW often," said
he, once, "have | been in the heart Of
Paris, Berlin, and London, or some
other city, and heard persons singing,
or the organ playing "Sweet Home,
without shilling to buy the next meal
or a place to lay my head. Yet | have
been a wanderer from my boyhood.
My country has turned me ruthlessly
from Office, and in old age | have to
submit to humiliation for bread"
Thus he would complain of his hap
less lot. His only wish was to die in a
foreign land. to be buried by strangers,
and sleep in obscurity. Imet him one
day looking unusually sad; "Have you
got your consulatc?' said |. "Yes,
and | leave in a week for Tunis; |
shall never return"
The last expression was not a politi-
cal faith. Far from it. Poor Payne
his wish was realized; he died at Tunis.
Whether his remains were brought to
this country know not. They should
be, and if none others would do il, lei
the homeless throughout the world give
a penny for an inscription like tho
following;
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

SLuRs ON WoMEN.-At dinner, at
which no ladies were present, a man,
in responding to the toast, woman
dwelt almost solelyo the frailty of the
sex, claiming that the best among them
were little better than the worst the
chief difference being in the surroun-
dings.
AT the conclusion of the speech a
gentleman rose to his feet and said:
Il trust the gentleman, in the appli-
ton of his remarks refers to his own
mother and sisters, not ours"
The effect of this most just and
timely rcbuko was overwhelming con-
fusion and shame.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

CAIRO AND Fulton RAILRoAD.-
Colonel Allen of the firm of Mande-
vile, Allen & Co., contractors for the
construction of the Iron Mountain
railway extension, and of the Cairo and
Fulton railroad, accompanied by Colo
nels Morley, chief engineer, p. X.
Roots, consulting engineer, John Stea-
cy, G.. II. Meade and Others of this city,
by special train, on Tuesday, inspect-
ed the work already completed upon
that road. 1t being the first time
Colonel Allen has had an opportunity
for a personal inspection of this end of
the road, il was made the occasion of a
happy interchange of sentiment and a
comparison of ideas regarding railway
prosnocts in A Arkansas which we are
happy to learn are fattering to OUR state.
We hope for and predict better results
10 the Cairo and Fulton than those
characterized by the the present condi-
ton of the Little Rock and Fort
Smith -Repubiicaa.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

dler, positively.
81 certainly heard some one in the
front room at ten" said Annie, look
ing with astonishment at those around
her.
"Wcre getting at something" said
/. How did YOU get in?"
Theyoung man smiled, as he glanced
at Annie, and said:
"On arriving at the door | found |
had lost my night-key. At that mo-,
ment a watchman happened along, and
| told him my situation. He knew
me, and taking a ladder from an un-
finished house opposite, placed it
against one ofthe second story windows,
and entered in that way"
"Good? Now who was it that was
heard in the parlor at ten, unless it
was Bryce or one Of his accomplices?
He must have taken the key from
your pocket, Mr.. Chandler, and stolen
the note from the secretary. At any
rate | will charge him with the crime,
let what may happen. Perhaps he
will confess when hard pushed"
Acting upon this thought, | wrote Il
lawyers letter." demanded against
you" etc.-which was Immediately
sent to Mr.. Bryce. Cautioning the
parties not to speak of the affair, l
dismissed them.
Bryce came.
"Well, sir. what have you to say
against mo?' he asked stifly.
"a claim on the part Of John Wal
lace for two thousand dollars" | re.
piled, polling over my papers, and
appearing supremely Indifferent.
"Paid it, he said, short as pie crus'
"Have you? said l, looking him
sharply in the eye.
The rascal quailed. l saw that he
was a villain.
Nevertheless, if within an hour you
do not pay me two thousand dollars,
and one hundred for the trouble and
anxiety YOU have caused my client, at
the end Of the next hour you will be
lodged in Jail to answer Il criminal
charge"
"What Go you mean?'
81 mean what | say. Pay, or take
the consequences"
1t was bold charge, and if he had
looked like an honest man | should not
Asve dared to make it.
81 have paid the money, tell you, -
said he; 81 have the note in my posses
sion"
"When did you get it?"
81 got it when ! paid the"
"When you feloniously entered the
house Of John Wallace, on Thursday
night, at 10 o'clock. and took the said
.note from the secretary"
"You have no proof" said he grasp.
ing a chair for support,
chat is my lookout. l have no
time to waste. VIII you pay, or 60
to jail?"
He saw that the evidence ] had was
too strong for his denial, and he drew
his check on the spot for twenty,one
hundred dollars, and after begging me
not to mention the affair, he sneaked
off.
| cashed the check and hastoned ia
Wallace's house. The reader may
Judge with what satisfaction he received
it, and how rejoiced was Annie and
her lover. Wallace insisted that |
should take the enc hundred for my
trouble; but was magnanimous enough
to keep only twenty. Wallace signed
the pledge and was ever after a tempe
rate man. lie died a few years ago
leaving 4 handsome property TO Chan
dler and his wife, the marriage between
him and Annie having taken plac,
shortly after the above>narrated cir
cumstance occurred.
Old John Berry liked to tell hi,
story. One evening, sitting in the vii
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27
To AVON BEING CHEATEp.-Iti is

said that three million dollars annual
ly are taken from the pockets of the
country people by the various swim
ding establishments in New York city,
who spread their alluring ADVERTISE
ments all over the country, and get
small sums by mail. The American
3gitulturist has, with commendable
enterprise, ferreted out and exposed
many Of these swindling tricks; but
a shorter and simpler way is this-Nev,
er trust your money, not even pos,
tage stamp, to any person whose repu-
tation you know nothing about. The
bigger the promises, the more likely
you will be caught. Avoid all these
advertisers who offer you remedies for
nothing-there will be gouging behind
men do not pay for costly advertise-
ments for the sake of gratuitous labor.
Avoid all gift establisments-they
will get twice to ten times as much out
of you in some way, as they give you.
Avoid all persons who sell watches, or
jewelry, or dresses, or anything else,
greatly below market price-they will
surely cheat you in some way. Honest
men find better way to bestow chari-
ty.- Country Gentleman.
~
Fun AT HoME.-Don't be afraid
of a little fun at home, good peoplel
Don't shut up your houses, lest the
sun should fade your carpets, and your
hearts, lest hearty laugh should shake
down some of the musty old cobwebx
there. Ifyou want to ruin your sons,
let them think all mirth and social
enjoyment must,be left on the threshold
without when they come home at night.
When once home is regarded as only
place to eat, drink and sleep in, the
work is begun that ends in gambling
houses and wretched degradation,
Young people mast have fun and
relaxation somewherej if they do not
lind it at their own hearth-stones, it
will be found at other less profitable
places. Therefore let the fire burn
brightly at night, and make the house
nest delightful with all those little arts
that parents so perfectly understand.
Don't repress the buoyant spirits of
your children; half an hour of merri>
ment around the lamp and fire light at
home blots out the remembrance of
many a care and annoyance during the
day, and the best safeguard they can
take with them into the world is the
unseen influence of bright little do
mestic sanctum.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

money. Where did your father keep
it?"
"He gave it to me, and ! put it in
the secretary"
"Who was in the room when you
put it in the secretary"
"Mr. Bryce, George Chandler, my
father and myself"
The conversation was here interrupt
ed 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.
"She has told you about it, | sup
pose" said he, in a very low tone.
"She has"
l pitted him, poor fellow, for two
thousand dollars was a very large sum
for him to accumulate in bis little bus.
mess. The loss of it would make the
future look like a desert to him. 1t
would be a misfortune which one must
undergo to appreciate it.
"What passed between you on that
day."
"Well, l merely stepped into his
oiiice-it was only the day before yes
terday-to tell him not to forget to
have the money for me tomorrow.
He took me into his back Office. and as
| sat there he said he would get the
money ready the next day. He then
left me and went to the front Office,
where heard him send George out to
the bank, TO draw check for two
thousand dollars; so | supposed he
was going to pay me them
"What does the clerk say about it?"
"Iie says Mr.. Bryce remarked,
when he sent him, that he was going
to pay the money"
Gust so"
"And when.Gcorgc came in he went
into the front ofice again and took the
money. Then he came back to me
again, and did not offer to pay me the
money"
"Had You the note with you?"
"No; now | remember, he said he
supposed | had not the note with me,
or he would pay it. l told him to
come in the next day aud | would
have it reldy-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 50"
81 dill. lie laughed and showed
hia note, with his signature crossed over
with ink, anl a hole punched through
it."
at is plain, Mr.. Wallace, that he
paid You the money, as alleged, or he
obtained fraudulent possession of the
note and intends 20 cheat you out of
the amount"
"IIe has never paid me-" he replied
firmly.
"Then he has obtained fraudulent
possession of the note. What sort of
a person is that Chandler, who boards
with you?"
ga fine young man. Bldss you, he
would not do anything of that kind"
81 am sure he would not, repeated
Annie earnestly.
Glow else could Bryce obtain the
note but through him? What time
does he come home at nigbt?"
"Always at tea time. He never
goes out in the evening"
"But, father, he did not como home
till 10 o'clock the night before yon
went to Bryces. lie had TO stay in
the Office to post books, or something
of that kind"
"How did he get inf"
"Ile has night key"
81 must see Chandler" said |.
"No harm in seeing him. added Mr..
Wallace, 81 will go for him"
In few moments he returned with
the young man, Chandler, who, in
the conversation l had with him, mani
tested lively interest in the solution
of the mystery, and professed himself
ready to do anything to forward my
view.
"When did you return to the house
! -. I'll ~ - -. l. 4oD
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

A very good story is told of a gen.
tleman in E, who is a very worthy
citizen, who had farm a short distance
out in the country, which he leased to
tenant, the lsndlord to get two>fifths
of the crop. When the crop was saw
ed, the tenant saddled his horse and
took the landlords share to him tied
up in a handkerchief, who upon seeing
the bundle, asked what was there
"Your share of the wheat" says the
tenant. Landlord: my what" Ten
ant: "Your share of the wheat" Land
lord Take it back take it back
and next year if you only have five
grains, bring them in a wagon, but
never come again on horseback"
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

DIR. Hall is certainly correct in saying
that the healthlest scent in the world
is no scent at all, where the air is so
pure that the breathing of it attracts
no attention whatever; and the only
perfect deodorizer is perfect cleanliness
of person and premises. 1t is especial.
ly important in summer time to put on
clean clothing often; wash the body
every day; to go around and through
the premises often, from cellar to attic,
and allow no pile Of dirt, dry or moist,
oaal whatever, to remain for a single
moment. Dampness should be especial
lyguarded against; ever room in house
should be thoroughly aired every sun.
shiny, day, the earlier in the morning
the better.
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

The families Of the Webstors and
the Bonupartes are to be united by the
marriage at Newport, on the lith Of
this month, of jerome Bonaparte, Of
Baltimore, and a granddaughter o /
Daniel Wchssr
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

THE POPULATION OF THE UNITED
STATES. From advance sheets of the
census it appears that the population
of the various States and Territories,
as officially and finally revised at the
Census office. is as follows:
Office, is as fellows:
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

n new paper at Forest Miss, is en'
titled "The Ku-klux.'
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

Some ingenious Yankee has invented
process by which maple sugar can be
made out Of common New Orleans
molasses, Aavoring it by steaming ma
pie wood. \ contemporary says; "Thc
next thing we are looking for from that
land Of prolific ideas is a process where
by they viii make honey from cod liv-
or oil, Gavoring it with becswax."
The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-09-27

Population ofStates and
Territories, SO 800 9S3
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-11-18
A Whole Family Murdered.


The Park family, near Henryvilc, Indiana,
was brutally murdered Oh Saturday night
last. The deed was accomplished with an axe.
On Monday night the citizens of Henryvile,
Indiana, near where the brutal murder Of the
Park family occurred, on Saturday night, put a
rope around the neck. Of George johnson, ne
gro, implicated in the murder, and telling him
the crime had been traced to him, demanded
to know bis accomplices. johnson, thinking
all discovered, made full confession, stating
that two negroes, named Davis aud Taylor,
with himself, planned the murder, believing
that Park had four or FIVE hundred dollars Of
church money in the house.
Johnson says he waited outside, Davis held
the light, and Taylor committed the bloody
deed. His partners refused to divide the plum
der fairly with him. they only got S14O.-
The wherealout of the accomplices became
known, and party Of citizens Immediately eff
fected their arrest, the police taking the three
prisoners through the woods to avoid the mob,
and imprisoned them in Jacksonville.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-11-18
Good Advice.

The Alexandra Gazcile contains the follow
ing excellent advice to the coming Legislature
Of Virginia. The same advice may be useful
to West Virginia; The Conservatives have
tr;umphel in Virginia, aud secured the control
Of the State government for two years, we hope
that they viii, by legislative action, do all that
they possibly can, 70 effect every ueedful mea-
sure Of Economy, Retrenchment, aud Reform.
Wherever there is a salary too high-including
per diem reduce it;-wherever theyeis a
public Office not necessary, if it can be reached,
abolish it; whenever an abuse of any kind
is found out, make a reform.
Wherever a LurtLen now imposed can
be Hshtened-do so at once. Let attention
be turned to the material concerns Of the State
let the interests Us the farmers the manu-
iacturers, the mechanics, the miners, and Of all
engaged in industrial pursuits, be consulted
let wise syster. Of internal improvement for
the benefit Of our people, and our cities and
towns, be Ustercd-let every species Of i'm
proyemcut beencourascd. It's Ourduty, now
especially, TO restore, to construct, to advance.
All the departments Of the State government
should unite in the good work. We want to
have our legislation honorable, noble and pure
We want to have all our laws respected by the
people. We want to see Virginia model
State in every respect"
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-11-18
Another Proclamation.

On Friday last President Grant issued an
other proclamation declaring that rebellion
against the United States Government exists
in the county of Union, South Carolina, and
suspending there the privilege Of the writ of
hGbeas corpus This is the county about
which the President made his celebrated blum
der. lie intended to include Union county in
his first proclamation, but wrote Marion in
stead and the present one makes two that he
has had to issue since to correct bis bungling.
But it is shocking to think that such despotic
power should be intrusted to a man who is so
uncommonly fallible And what contrast
between his action now and the opinion be
expressed only five years ago, before he was
a candidate for President. 1t is" he said
then, contingency l hope never to see arise
in this country, to have to send troops into a
State in full relations with the General Gov
ernm eminent to preserve peace."-N 7. Sun.
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-11-18
The Prospects of Virginia.

The Loudoun Na.l Times, Oct 20, publish
es letter from an English gentleman, who has
lately settled in the Shenandoah Valley
The Times is justified in characterizing the let
ter as one that may be interesting to intend
ing emigrants. The writer says:
"There are vast number of farms here,
varying in price from So 500 per acre,
which are as beautiful and homelke asin Eng
land. Here and there, too, peeps out from the
foliage fine old Virginian homestead, sur
rounded by orchards of apples and peaches,
by beautiful vineyards aud meadows, well
stocked with cattle aud sheep. | find the
Virgiuians, who are frequently descended from
old English families, as civilized and well in
formed as at home. The society is agreeable,
and, moreover, hospitable to fault, especial
ly to Englishmen. The writer asks why these
rich lands and lovely houses can be bought at
such prices lie then answers thus: Before
the war the capital of the Virginia planters
consisted almost entirely Of slaves by the abo-
ltion Of slavery men who had been large cap
italistS have become so poor that they have
not now the means to work their lands they,
therefore, desire to realize for them what they
can get. Under the new state Of things the
South is destined to advance in prosperity,
and those who are wise in investing capital
there now will reap a rich harvest. Soon the
chances for the man with few hundreds will
grow less, and land will rise beyond his
reach"
Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-11-18
The Colored Vote in Virginia.

One Of the most cheering features of the
great Conservative victory in Virginia says the
Lyuchburg Nccs, is the increased colored Con-
sentative vote. This also must be to the car
pet-baGgcrs one Of the most CALLING circum-
stances Of their defeat 1t indicates clearly
enough that the colored men are beginning to
find them ont. As time wears on and the
freedmen become better educated aud more
intelligent, they will be apt to assert their po-
Htical independence, aud, like all other men,
to vote on public questions without regard to
race. As tie carpet-bag influence gradually
waneS, they VIII begin to realize more that the
native white people Of Virginia arc their best
friends, aud that the two races are mutually
dependent on each other