Middletown transcript., 1877-10-13


six months, cannot attempt to des-
cribe. I hardly saw Thornton, who
studiously avoided me, until one even
ing toward the end Of the fifth month,
he called me into Mouquin's, and
showed me release, signed by jack
son, from all obligation under our joint
note.
"What does this mean ?" 1 gasped.
att means that I have paid my half
with interest, - said Thornton.
"And where did you get the money!"
/ cried, amazed.
"speculating in stocks" was the cool
reply. "Why dom, your I suppose
Wilson, Carter & Co. would lend you
enough to begin with. At any rate
you can borrow it Of them, even if
they don't lend it"
With these words Thornton turned
and abruptly walked away. 1 suppose
he meant to do me a service by this
internal suggestion, but he might bet
ter Ter have thrust a dagger into my
heart. 1 cannot tell how I brooded
that night over what he said, or how
the next day I tremblingly acted upon
it, employing young broker, to whom
Thornton had introduced me, to invest
the purloined funds. I had some de-
lusive successes, but the day the note
came due I possessed not cent to
meet my share of it, and was 81 800
behind in my accounts with my en-
ployers. mastering up all my courage
/ called on jackson, told him I had
not been 80 fortunate as my friend
Thornton, and ventured to propose
that he accept my note for $1,000 in
settlement of my present obligation.
II will do SO readily" said he, upon
one condition, and that is, that you
have a good name at the back of it. "
"But 1 hardly know to whom I
could apply" said. "I would much
rather give you greater discount on
my own prOmissory note-in fact, any
discount you choose to demand"
"And that's the very reason, my
dear fellow" said jackson, Il will not
do it, unless l have a good name at
the back. On that condition I have
no objection to make it a year, SO as to
allow you sufficient time to look about
you and pay the money comfortably.
Now, think well if there is any person
to whom you could apply. You are
very thick with the Junior partner in
your firm, why not get him to put his
name to itf At any rate you can but
ask him, and the thing may be done
tomorrow. Now take my advice and
try the experiment"
1 left jackson, hardly knowing what
to do. True, I was on very friendly
terms with the junior partner, son of
the senior partner, and ! believe he
bore me great good will. Still, it was
very dangerous experiment to try,
for if he should refuse and inquire into
my accounts he would find me a de-
faulter to the amount of 81, 800.
And here I must hurry over the
particulars of the crime I committed,
SO painful are they to think Of. Suffice
it to say, instead of obtaining his sig
nature was guilty of forging it, My
renewed note was accepted, but it
would be impossible to describe the
terrible state of my mind. The only
method I had Of relieving myself from
the penalty of my crime would be by
perpetrating others and this, I felt
convinced, would only be to prolong
for short time the misery I was in.
A feeling of recklessness then came on,
and I resolved to let things take their
course. Just before the office was
about to close, one day, jackson en-
tered and told one of the junior clerks
he wished to speak with the senior
partner. Although he remained in my
room during the time the youth went
with the message, he took not the
slightest notice of me, but, with perfect
command of countenance, looked about
him till his eye fell on me, when he
showed no more appearance of recog-
milton than if I had been a total
stranger. He was soon after ushered
into the senior partners office, and I,
closing my desk, put on my hat, and,
in state of terror it would be impos-
sible to describe, returned home. The
state of my mind that night would
battle all description. I tried to sleep,
if only to close my eyes for a short
time to the danger I was in. All was
useless and I turned over in my mind
schemes of the vaguest
description by which to save myself.
When I think over them now, and
can estimate their utter worthlessness
and absurdity, I can easily understand
l was in the condition of the drowning
man who catches at a straw.
The next morning, entirely forget
ting my breakfast, in fit of reckless
ness I dressed, and went to the office.
CL.-LI~, a. - a--s,,o1 A.