Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-01-31
The Lost Bank Note.

"About Ann ~ returned Mr.. Garret, in
surprise, "Why, it's only few days ago
that heard you boasting to Mrs. Brenmer
you had the best cook in New York"
" So she is good cook. | don't expect
to get such another for twice the wages. 1t
is not about her work-she does all that
well-but I've no trust in her."
What has she done ?"
"What has she done ?" echoed the lady,
somewhat sharply. Nothing, of course, or
I'd send her packing But she's shy, and
secret, and won't tell me anything about
| herself and has ridiculous airs about sleep
ing alone, and won't even allow Amanda in-
side her bedroom door. There's something
wrong, depend upon it. If there wasn't a
screw loose somewhere she wouldn't be here
for such low wages"
If that's fault against her you can raise
them" suggested Mr.. Garret.
There, James, you may as well go to
your office, if that's all you have to say, -
cried the lady of the house. "But mark my
words, before you Co. III find Ann Walker
out before long
Mr.. Garret sighed as he rose to depart.
| He well knew that remonstrance would avail
nothing, for Mrs. Carrots preiudices were
as the laws of the Medes and Persians, that
changeth not, so he took himself off without
another word.
"Amandal" cried the lady, when left
alone bring Horace up"
In response to this summons large, slat-
ternly girl of eleven or twelve made her ap-
pearance from the basement with little
boy in her arms, who made snatch at an
egg-stand and knocked it on the floor in pass
ing the table.
"You awkward, careless GYPSY" cried
Mrs. Garret, with great spirit, that's the
second thing you've broken this morning
Who do you think is going to pay for all you
destroy? Come here Horace, love, and have
a nice piece of toast. What's Ann doing,
Amanda ?'
She's dressing the turkey, num-"
"Did she scour the front steps this morn
ing?"
ayes, mum; she got up at five o'clock to
do it."
go and tell her expect her to wash the
drawingroom windows before dinner"
upon my word" muttered Mrs. Garret,
resentfuly, as Amanda retired to carry her
message, " I'll pull her pride down for her a
bit. Must wash the steps at five in the
morning forsooth, lest folks see her at all.
III take that out of her.
In few minutes Ann came up to clear
the dishes off. She was tall and welpro-
portioned, about twenty years of age her
face pale, refined in features, not handsome,
but singularly intelligent and earnest in its
expression.
She looked a little anxious and troubled
as she noiselessly arranged the room, and
when she was ready to CO. she said, in very
soft voice
May | ask favor, ma am, that the clean
| ing of the front windows be put off till early
in the morning" ?"
NO" answered her mistress, curtly, "
want them done now
81 don't wish to be seen by passers-by,"
she urged, almost pleadingly. alt is of i'm.
portance for Inc not to be seen by-by some
one who might know me-"
" You will obey my orders, girl, or leave
the house !" returned Mrs. Garret, beginning
to culver with temper.
The servant courtesed and withdrew.
In few minutes she was at the windows,
but in close sun-bonnet, to Mrs. Carrots
unspeakable disgust
81 think can see through my lady, was
her inward comment. =" She is some Jail.
bird the detectives are after. "Ill lay a
trap for her, and if she is not caught in it,
my penetration isn't much"
Rising from her sewing machine, which
siit Hdi bttH puoiIg IlylHS III hidsItl liol'
aces behalf, while her brain as busily re-
volved, she unlocked her desk, took from it
a twenty dollar note carefully marked the
number, and dropped it, as if by accident
under the edge OF the table. Then she cut
and basted some more work, making enough
rubbish about the floor to insure the servant
having to use her dustpan before dinner
BY the time this was accomplished she dis
covered little Horace and the machine in
such danger of coming to grief together
that, first driving that innocent to the
other side of the room, and then picking up
her scattered shuttle and reels, she called
Ann up stairs to put the parlor to rights, and
left the room, taking Horace with her,
When Mr. Garret came home to dinner he
saw by his wife's portentous face that some
thing dreadful had occurred.
"James," said she, solemnly, al have
found that girl out in theft"
"Pshaw no, Your superior girl Ann =
"She has just helped herself to twenty
dollars of mine"
"Good graciousl" cried Mr.. Garret, paus
ing in the act of carving the turkey.
"Yes, it was a twenty dollar note which
-ahem-happened TO fall out of my desk
on the floor this forenoon. | was busy witt
Horace and o-ahem-forgot to pick it VI
before lclI lnt ROOM. w Heu l came uOWl
to dinner instantly missed it, and the aban
doned creature actually said she might hav,
swept it into the dust-pan and burnt it
Fortunately have the number of it, anc
after dinner you must go Immediately auC
fetch policeman"
Bewildered, though far from convinced b,
the proofs of AIMS guilt which his wifi
cited Mr.. Garret suffered himself to be SEN
off on hi errand of justice aud soon returned
in company with detective, armed with
warrant, and Ann was imperatively rung up
while Amanda was ordered TO remain, tina
she might take warning from the event t
take place.
Ann" said her master, feeling yer,
small, "Mrs. Garret misses some money, an,
this man has come to-
Find it, my dear" subjoined the officer
who had been regarding her with undis
guised interest. $50 if you'll hand over tn
keys of your kit Wen proceed to busines
instanter."
"And," said Mrs. Garret, sternly, I" if tn
i stolen property is found in your possession
you will 90 to prison, miss-that you shall.
AIMS white face slowly kindled with
scorching red her large dark eyes dilate,
with deep horror her lips turned pale
her breath seemed to leave her in gasp,
on accuse me--Ol tnelt sne laltrred
Mr.. Garret silently put her into a chair
She looked as if the shock would strike he
, dead.
| ado you deny" demanded Mrs. Garret
none the less spitefully for this attention
. "that you picked up that twenty-dollar bill
that was dropped on the carpet, just on thi
spot, this forenoon iav'n't you got it il
, your pocket, or trunk, or hidden about you
bedroom at this moment Go on with tn
, search, Mr., Officer; she's determined not +
! confess. 1t was "a national bank bill TO
twenty dollars, numbered l0S,9i3."
, Seems to me I've seen your face befor
| this, my gal, muttered the officer, confden
! TALLY. you'll please fork over the key o
/ yer kit, young woman"
With trembling hands Ann waved hin
on, and united ribbon from about her neck
on which a small key was suspended
As she gave it TO him a sort of sob shool
, her, aud large tears rushed in torrents dow
, her cheeks.
"Pll show the way" said the mistress o
the house, sure by these signs of sorrow tina