The Russellville Democrat., 1881-05-12
ROMANCE OF A P0CKET-B00K.

l was just twenty-five when l first mel Alice Thorne, the daughter and heiress of Geo. Thorne, tie great banker.
 I fell desper tely in love with the charming girl, knowing well that such love was utter madnesa
 Her father was reported to be a very proud ambitious man, who would look high for Q son-in-law. l felt that he would not so much as give hearing to my suit, and as to winning her, without his consent, that would bring her to misery. l had nothing which to repay or compensate her for the sacrifice of a marriage wi'b my poverty.
 So we bade eood.by without word of explanation, though l knew she read the anguish in my heart, and tears were in the soft eyes averted from me. kissed the trembling hand she placed in mine, and turned away, and bade fare- well to her and hope together.
 Scarcely had got back to town, ano was striving earnestly 10 drown vain regret in the hustle and interest of busi ness, when a terrible misfortune fell upon me. alr. Overton had gwen me check for S20,009, desiring me to go to the bank and get 1t cashed. Having executed the com mission and returned. imagine my horror on discovering that the pocket book containing the money was gone.
 Whether stolen by some villain, ol lost by my own carelessness, what mat tered it? It was gone and l was utterly ruined.
 What suffered during the next few hours God only knows; and when, after being dismissed. returned to my own room, l was very nearly desperate; not only had 1 lost lucrative position, but my future appeared to be irretrievably blasted, for there are suspicious which are as fatal to man morally, as would be physically the wound of rife ball.
 But was young, and of hope ul na ture, and l began to realize that had been leniently dealt with. On recalling all that had happened after my leaving the bank, and the utter impossibility oi the pocket-book being taken from the breast pocket of my coat, l came to the conclusion that I must have dropped it, and thereupon l resolved to have re- course to all means in my power to recover the money.
 I had saved, during the last few years, considerable portion of my salary, and determined now to devote 1t to the puI pose l had in view. I advertised daily in all the prominent journals, not offer ing the customary reward, but describing my unfortunate position, my honor lost, and my fortune blighted.
 For two weeks l kept my loss before the public, and had almost begun to despair of any favorable result when, one morning a stranger came to me--a tall, dark, stern looking man, who re- garded me with pail of kindly brown eyes, that had something familiar about them.
 The stranger declined the seat offer. cd to him, and began at once speaking brusquely and to the point.
 q have heard of your Ioss," said he "I have read your advertisement in the papers, and feel deeply interested in L I'd for you. have just left your late em- ployers, and afer the satisfactory man. wered, became your security for the S20,000."
 "What?"
 I sprang toward him in the widest excitement.
 "Oh, sir" began; but he stopped me
 Let me fnish," said he. Eve done this because I'm convinced that you are an upright, honest man; and the greatest proof of my confidence that l can give you is, that am about to offer you the osilior of cashler in my banking house My name, ST, is George Thorne."
 George Thorne the father of Alice, the girl that l loyedl An, the mystery was solvedl It was of her his eyes had re- minded me- it was to her l was indebted for this help.
 Fifteen years had flown since the day l lost the pocket book. l had now be- come prosperous man, surrounded by all the luXuiies which wealth affords. l had found in Mir. Thorne more than a patron. l found a friend; under a brusque manner he had heart oi gold. From the first day of our acquaintance he had eyinced toward me the liveliest interest and affection.
 l was soon made partner, and when, on ceit1in blessed day, became the husband of Alice. and his son-in-law, he presented me with a receipt for the s20,000 le had paid to Messrs. Overtop for my loss.
 So time went on. The banking house known as the firm of Thorne X Wallace was in a tl,riving condition.
 had 8 honuDful wife and two lovely children, and yet, with all the sources of happiness, was not quite contented- there was a crease in the rose leaf.
 For some time past, had been vainly endeavoring to account for il e extraor- dinary interest which my father-in-law had first taken in me, because l discov- cred, as grew older, and saw more of the selfish, egotistical world, that very few such generous actions were per ormed without motive. and the solution of this, 10 me, difficult problem, fre- quently occupied my thoughts.
 At first had attributed it to Alee's influence; but knew now that IL had been as great surprise to her as my self
 About this time, Dr. Ponard, one of Mir. Thorne's most intimate friends, ar rivcd in New York, and one morning while sitting at breakfast, expressed great surprise at the numerous adyer- lsemenis in the papers relating to money luft und found.
 "Wel,' said he, "I have not the least