Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-11-24
'su.uPPERY BILLS ADVENTURE.

SLIPPERY BILLS ADVENTURE.
Three sisters. Jane. Marie and Annie
Maskall lived in small but comfortable
cottage situated just within the suburbs
of Milford. Their mother had died come
three years previous. leaving them means
far too meagre for their support. They
had. therefore. to seek livelihood as
best they could. Jane. the eldest had
turned her musical talents to good ac-
connt. and had become a popular and
sOught-after teacher, while Maria had
found employment i'm retail clothing
establishment Annie, the youngest of
the three, kept house, and by making
fine embroidery and fancy work of vari-
Gus kinds earned many small sums of
money
By their diligence and economy they
had not only left untouched the sum be-
aueathed by their mother-their father
had died many years before-but had
added 10 it each year until it amounted
to more than e6NO. With this sum they
intended to purchase house Of their
own, and thus save the rent they were
paving.
For weeks they tramped from place to
place, looking ut the various dwellings
offered for sale. and had ut last made up
their minds TO buy nice. coy little
place, situated but a short distance from
their present home.
The arrangements FOR the purchase of
the house were completed. and the sis
tiers had begun to pack up their house
hold goods preparatory to removal. The
money belonging TO them was in the Gus
tody of friend, who had lent IL out at
interest for their benefit. 1t was agreed
that Annie would call for this money,
she being at liberty, and pay for the
house Herewith. or as much as was re-
quired. For this purpose carriage had
beeu engaged, and the three sistersIwere
now awaiting its arrival.
s:Now be careful, Annie" warned Jane
turning from the window, "be careful
YOU don't let the money out of your
hands until you give it to Mr.. Burchard
and get the deed"
30. don't be afraid, assured Annie
who was looking in the mirror. and ar
ranging the set of her wee bit of a bon
net; ..lon't be afraid. can take good
care OF that"
Il should hope So" said Maria. helping
Annie with her cloak; 20, wouldn't it be
awful if YOU should lose it J"
..Ha Ia :" laughed Annie, gayly; ''the
idea! How can lose it | shall take
the best of care. assure you"
well, you'll make haste back, won't
You. Annie p sad Jane; '.because we
ought to 90 to Mann & Co.'s to see about
getting that new carpet"
YES" answered Annie; all make
haste home. But don't you think | had
better stop and look at that new set at
As? We ought to buy u brand new
set of things for our sitting room, hadn't
we. Maria?"
Yes. indeed" repliedjMaria. sand we
want some nice pictures for the walls,
TOO. and shall look for some the first OPP
portunity l get"
..Well here comes the carriage" said
Jane who was on the watch at the win
dow. Hadn't better let my engage
ment 90, Annie dear, and accompany
you?"
.No. indeed" exclaimed Annie, tossing
her head, sim no baby
.Annie. with last hurried glance in
the glass, hastened below, and as the car
riage drove to the door, she was caution
ed again and again TO be extremely care
full. Taking her seat, she was driven
away at rafting pace.
Arrived at her destination, the office of
the gentleman holding the money in
trust, Annie was ushered i'm by clerk.
.Good morning, Mr.. Alger!'' she said.
sAh. good morning, Miss Maskall r re-
sponded Mr.. Alger. looking up from his
papers. '.Come after your money. eh?'
Yes, sir" replied Annie; "I'm just go
ing TO pay for our new house"
swell. haven't the money here, but
as YOU are known ut the bank, I'll draw
YOU check" and Mr.. Alger, taking
down his check-book, wrote the required
order, and handed it TO Annie; a check
for the sum of seven hundred pounds.
As the house was TO cost but six-hun-
dred, Annie was to pay that sum for a
deed of the place, and retain the remain
der for household expenses.
"Shall l send clerk with you. Miss
Maskall ?" inquired Mr.. Alger; ''that's
quite sum for young lady to handle."
"Oh, no." cried Annie, blushing.
there's not the slightest fneed. l shall
be very careful. Good day, sir" and
Annie. going to her carrige, was driven
Presenting the check to the cashier of
the bank, he glanced ut her, recognized
her with a pleasant word, and, counting
out the required sum, handed it across
the counter.
Annie. clutching the notes tightly in
her hand, hastened down the high steps,
and. taking her seat i'm the carriage, was
giving directions to be taken to Mr.. Bur
chard's. when clerk; bareheaded and
with a pen behind his ear, hurried down
the stems. and before the cOachman had
time tn start his horses, was at the car
riape door and accosted Annie.
II Beg your pardon, ma'am, but we
neglected TO take the number of those
notes; if YOU will allow me moment"
and stretching out his hand he took the
roll of notes, and hurried back into the
bank. leaving Annie waiting for his re-
turn"
Annie waited few minutes. and then
grew impatient. With an indefinable
fear In her heart, she hurried away TO
the cashier of the bank.
"Are the notes ready for me % she ask
cd.
''Notes, notes; what notes % inquired
the cashier, in surprise.
'Why-I-I-gave the notes you let
me have to IA clerk. who said he wish to
take the numbers Of them.n
''Gave them to a clerk ?" cried the CASH
Ter. astonlshed.
"Y-yes; sir" almost crying.
"Then you are robbed" exclaimed the
cashier.
And taking in the situation of affairs
from the disjointed remarks of Annie. he
consulted with the manager Of the bank
As to the best means to be employed to
catch the thief.
Annie sank in a chair in dispair; she
felt as if her heart would break. Here,
after all the cautions not for one moment