The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-06-16
miscellaneous.
A Mothers Love.

Not many years ago the mercantile com
munity were annoyed by an immense quaint
ty Of spurious paper most deXtcrously put
in circulation. Checks were presented at the
principal banks signed by the firms of pro-
minent houses, and money, in aggregate
amounting to nearly $4,000, obtained upon
them. The peculiar circumstances of the
case disclosed the fact that the forger resided
in the city, and for months we were on the
alert to detect the criminal. Every new face,
every stranger whose occupation and pursuit
were not thoroughly understood, was subject
to most rigid scrutiny. Still we were at
fault. 1t is not difficult to find out the person
who is not guilty of an offence; the trouble
is to discover who is. And thus our search
went on. Batlled in one direction, we took
another. Aside from the reward, which was
ample, our pride was certainly interested in de-
tecting the person who almost before our eyes
practiced such open frauds. One day saw
n lady paying for a bill ofgoods with check.
Before she had time to leave the store had
obtained look at the paper, and was salts
fled it was not genuine. Still, Twas not Ger.
tain The lady was deeply yelled and was
subjected to the alternative of following her.
This did, and traced her home.
1t was beautiful little cottage, with a
large yard and garden. Taste and culture
had fashioned graveled walks, and trained
the dense but beautiful foliage into parterres
as curious as novel and pretty Vines crept
over the portico and trained along the net
work of gallery. The white and rcd holly.
hook bloomed at the gate, and the margin of
the walks was beddcd with violets and sweet
scented verbena. The perfume of orange
blossoms mingled with the odor of the rose
and the senses were delighted with the evil
dent beauty that pervaded the place.
FASTENED back to the place where the
check was passed, and it had already been as
certained that it was forged. Wehad now OBJ
tanned clew which, if carefully pursued, we
were satisfied would lead to the detection of
the criminal.
We waited until morning and it was then
determined that | should visit her alone.
did so, and found the lady seated in a plea
SAINT little parlor, looking out on miniature
lawn. The room was eXquisitely furnished,
and breathed an air of evident refinement. II
was fitted up as a pleasant Longing place,
half library, half music room. Beautiful
paintings hung from the walls, and in n recess
was an elegant piano.
Cases lined with books, and vases of ara
besque of gold, filled with flowers, were scat
tered through the room. The lady reclined
in an easy chair, and received the announce
ment of my name with evident embarrass-
ment. Still, she received me with great polite.
ness, and inquired to what circumstance she
was to attribute my visit.
II do not know, madam, that it is to you,
as yet but may inquire your husband is
imp
II am widow, sir"
"But you have Il business agent Z"
mo, sir | live alone on small annuity"
"Indeed ~
at is true, sir; but you will pardon me if
inquire the purport OF these questions ?"
MADAM" rejoned, there is no doubt
some mistake about it, but the draft you
gave Yesterday to Messrs II. & Co., is 4 for
gerry"
SIR the tone was indignant, and the face
white with terror rather than with passion.
at is as stated, madam here is the paper"
and l took from my pocket the check and
showed it to her.
"What is the purport of all this?"
ITO inquire from whence you obtained it,"
THAT l cannot tell you, sir"
81 trust, madam, you will reconsider your
last remark, for otherwise it will be my duty
to arrest you as criminal"
And you would do it?"
at would be my duty"
Her eyes lost on the instant their eager
look, and she turned aside her head l could
perceive from the working of her counter
ance that she was thinking intently- rapidly.
Emotions, first of terror, then Of determine
ton, and then of entreaty, chased themselves
over her face with the rapidity of thought
1t was grand face-noble in expression
evinclng intellect of no common order.
could not believe she was guilty. | did
not until she turned to me with the words ::
Take me to Jail. alone am guilty.
"But, madam, reflect you are condemning
yourself"
II know it-lead the way-I say to you
again, am guilty"