The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-01-03

NCll, htNu Y tuC IllOHty HtTG, UuJ
AZ you are known at the bank, I'll draw
you check" and Mr.. Alger, taking
down his check book, wrote the required
order and handed it to Annie, check for
the sum of GOO. AS the housc was to
cost but $500, Annie was TO pay that
sum for deed OF the place, and retain
the remainder for household expenses,
"Shal send clerk with you, Miss
Mascall ?' inquired Mr., Alger; CHATS
quite sum fora young lady to handle"
"Oh, no" cried Annie, blushing,
there's not the slightest need, shall
be very careful. Good-day, SIR and
Annie, going to hel carriage, was driven
To the B---Bank.
Presenting the ckeck to the cashier OF
the bank, he glanced at her, recognized
her with a pleasant word, and counting
out the req quired sum, handed it across
the counter.
Annie, clutching the notes tightly in
her hand, fastened down the high steps,
and taking her seat in the carriage, was
giving directions to be taken 10 Mr.,
Burchard's, when u clerk, barehcaded
and with pen behind his ear, hurried
down the steps, and, before the coachman
had time to start his horse, was at the
carriage door, and accosted Annie.
beg your pardon, ma'am, but we
neglected TO take the number OF those
notes; it you will allow me moment"
and stretching out his hand he took the
roll of notes and hurried back intl the
bank, leaving Annie waiting for his res
| turn.
Annie waited few minutes, and then
grew impatient. With an indefnablo
fear in her heart she hurried away to the
cashier of the bank.
care the notes ready for me % she
asked.
"Notes, notes; what notes. inquired
the cashier, in surprise.
"Why-I-l-gave the notes you let
me have to clerk, who said he wished
to take the numbers of thcm.'
"Gave them to clerk ?' cried the
cashier astOnished.
''Y-yes, sir, almost crying.
"Then you are robbed " exclaimed
the cashier
And taking in the situation OF affairs
from the di,jointed 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 chair in despair; she
felt as if her heart would break. Here,
after all the cautions not for one moment
TO let the money out of her hand, she
had lost it-lost it, perhaps beyond hope
of recovery.
The people of the bank questioned her
closely regarding the manner in which
her money was taken, how the thief
looked, dressed, etc. Annie, with tear.
wet eyes, answered as best she could !;
and was promised that every effort would
be made to catch the thief and recover the
money; but it was probable, seeing that
he had such a start, having without
n doubt at once slipped out at n side door,
that it would be u long time before any
thing would turn up regarding him.
/ am exceedingly ly sorry for your mis-
hap" condoled the manager, and shall
spare no expense in trying to ferret out
the rascal.
can ,ingenious fellow, whoever he
was" observed the cashier; " the idea Of
representing himself AZ Il bank clerk
wasn't bad, y and the official chuckl,d at
the cunning Of the rogue.
Annie tried TO dry her tears, and with
a sad face and aching heart returned to
the carriage, and gave orders 10 be driGcn
home. She had never before met with
such a misfortune, and it completely up
set her. To think, too, that she had
given the money to the man with her
free will, rs it were. She could not re-
strain her tears, but cried softly to
herself all the way home. She dreaded
to meet her sisters, and thought how
greatly they would blame her On ar
rival she found both Jane and Maria at
home, and waiting for her.
"lIave you the deed all right, Annie
cried Jane, rs soon as Anni' had entered
And then seeing her sorIowtul face, she
cried, "Why, Annie, what is it; you
have it, haven't you"
GO, Jane" cried Annie, throwing her.
self on her sisters breast and sobbing
grievously; 90, don't blame me; d.n't,
please; | cannot bear to hear you. II
have lost the money!
"Lost the money" cried Maria, her
face growing pale; why, Annie !"
80, dear" moaned Jane, looking
sorrowfully on Annie, how could you,
Annie, ., how could you, when we told
you to be 50 careful? o, dear"
90, don't scod me, Jane; please
don't" sobbed Annie, piteously. "I-I
didn't mean to, you know. Y-you see
got it from the bank, but JUS. when |
was driving off, young man, bareheaded
and with a pen behind his ear, looking
the very image of bank-cerk, stepped
up and said that they had forgotten to
take the number of the notes, and $3.50
I-I-gave them to him. o, Jane, /
thought of course it was all right, he
spoke 10 simply. o. what shall We do?'
The sisters mourned grievously for
their loss, but generously fOrbore chding
Annie. Indeed, they saw that she WAS
really quite i'll in consequence of the oc-
currence. And before evening Annie
had to be put to bed and doctor sum-
mOned to her, who found her in raging
fever.
For days and weeks Annie was con.
fined to her bed, and as there was no one
to take care of her, Maria gave up her
situation and remained at home, nursing
and doing the housework.
Their money gone, and only Jane
earning anything wherowith 10 pay their
increasing expenses, they were at last
obliged to let part of their house. Thi:
they did toa resp ctable German family
of the name OF Zimmerman, and ~ this
family desired if possible TO board with
them, Maria procured girl to Assist her,
and posted in the front window notice,
" Furnished Apartments"
so, Annie" cried Maria one after
noon, bursting into the room where
Al = l..