Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-08-04
CHE Sturg Teller.
THE STOLEN NOTE.
BY A RETIRED ATTORNEY.

est high-minded and exemplary man. His
one great fault hung like dark shadow over
his many virtues. He meant we'll, and when
he was sober, he did we'll.
He was halter by trade, and by industry
and thrift, had acquired money sufficient to
buy the house in which he lived. He had
purchased it several years before, for three
thousand dollars, paying one thousand down
and securing the balance by mortgage to
the seller.
The mortgage note was almost due at the
time that the circumstances made me &C.
ouainted with the affairs of the family. But
Wallace was ready for the day ; he had saved
up the money there seemed no possibility OF
an accident.
was we'll acquainted with Wallace, hav.
ing done some little collecting, and drawn up
some legal documents for him.
One day his daughter Annie came to my
Office in great distress. declaring that her fa.
ther was ruined and that they should be out
of the house in which they lived.
"Perhaps not, Miss Wallace" | said, try
ing to console her, and give the affair, what
ever it was, a brighter aspect "What has
happened ?"
my father" she replied" had the money
to pay the mortgage on the house IN whlch
we live-but it is gone now."
HAS he lost it p
81 don't know; suppose so. Last week
he drew out the two thousand dollars from
the bank, and lent it to Mr.. Bryce for ten
days"
"Who is Mr. Bryce p
''He is broker My father got acquaint-
ed with him through George Chandler, who
boarded with US, and who is Mr.. Bryces
clerk.
docs Mr.. Bryce refuse to pay it p
"He says he has paid it,"
"Well, what is the trouble, then?"
"Father says he has not paid it."
"Indeed! But the note will prove that
he has not paid it. Of course you have that
note?'
"No; Mr.. Bryce has it."
"Then of course he has paid it,"
81 suppose he has, or he could not have had
the note"
"What does your father say p
'He is positive that he never received the
money. The mortgage must be paid to-mor'
row."
"Very singular. Was your father
l hesitated to use the unpleasant words
which must have grated harshly on the ear
of the devoted girl.
"Mr. Bryce says nv father was not just
right when he paid him, though not very
bad"
II will see your father"
"He is coming here in few moments. |
thought I would see you and tell you the
facts before he came"
Il do not see how Mr.. Bryce could have
obtained the note, unless he paid the mo. ~.
Where did your father keep it p
"He gave it to me, and put it in the Sec
retary in the front room."
"Who was in the room when you put it in
the secretary %
"Mr. Bryce, George Chandler, my father
and myself"
The conversation was here interrupted by
the entrance of Wallace. He looked pale
and haggard as much from the effects of anx'
iety as of the debauch from which he was
just recovering.
"She has told you about it, suppose" said
he in very low tone.
"She has"
l ptied him, poor fellow, for two thousand
dollars was a large sum for him to accumu
late in his little business. The loss of ii
would make the future look like a desert to
him. 1t would be misfortune which we
must undergo in order to appreciate it.
What do you think about it?" asked he
very gloomily. Il know he never paid me
| was not much in liquor at the time. re-
member very we'll of going home as regular
ly as ever l did in my life. | could tell how
| passed the time"
"What passed between you on that day ?
"WeIl, 1 merely stepped into his office
it was only day before yesterday-to tell him
not to forget to have my money ready for me
by to morrow. He took me into his back
Office, and as 1 sat there, he said he woulc
get the money ready the next day. He ther
left me and went into the front office, where
heard him send George out to the bank tt
draw check for two thousand dollars; so
supposed he was going to pay me then"
"What does the clerk say about it?'
"He says Mr.. Bryce remarked when HI
sent him that he was going to pay me th'
money"
Just So"
And when George came in, he went to th'
front office again, and took the money. Thel
he came to Inc again, but did not offer t.
pay me-"
"Haa you the note with you ?"
"No. Now l remember he said he suppos
ed | had not the note with me, or he woul'
pay it. He told me to come in the next da