The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-05-21
THE STOLEN NOTE.

THE STOLEN NULL.
Except that he INDUCED too freely
in the use Of the intoxicating cup,
John Wallace was an honest. high
minded and extraordinary man. His
one great fault hung like shadow
over his many virtues. He meant
well, and when he was sober he did
Well
He was halter by trade, and by in
dustry and thrift he had secured
money enough to buy the house in
which he lived. He had purchased it
before, for $4,000, paying 1000 down,
and secured the balance by mortgage
to the seller.
The mortgage was almost due at
the time circumstances made me ac-
quainted with the affairs of the fami-
ly. But Wallace was ready for the
lay; he had saved up the money; there
seemed to be no possibility of an acci
dent. 1 was well acquainted with
Wallace, having done some little col
ecting and drawn up legal documents
for him. One day his daughter Annie
came to my Office in great distress, de-
,laring that her father was ruined,
and that they should be turned out of
the house in which they lived.
perhaps not, Miss Wallace" said I,
,rying to console her and give the af-
fair, whatever it was, a bright aspect.
What has happened%
"My father" she replied, "had the
money to pay the mortgage on the
house in which we live, but it is all
gone now"
Has he lost it?"
81 don't know. ] suppose so. Last
week he drew two thousand dollars
from the bank, and lent it to Mr.. Bryce
for ten days"
"Who is Mr.. Bryce?"
"IIe is broker. My father got ac-
ouainted with him through George
Chandler, who boards with us, and
who is Mr.. ,Bryce's clerk"
"Does Mr. Bryce refuse to pay it?"
"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. or course,
you have the note?'
mo, Mr.. Bryce has it,"
"Then, of course, he has paid it?"
Il suppose he has, or he could not
have the note
"What does your father say?"
"IIe is positive that he enever received
the money. The mortgage, he says,
must be paid tomorrow"
every singular. Was your father y
1 hesitated to use the unpleasant
word which must have grated harshly
on the ear of the devoted girl.
"Mr. Bryce says father was not
quite right when he paid him, but not
very bad"
81 will see your father"
HE is coming up here in few mo-
ments; l thought 1 would see yor
first, and tell you the facts before hi
came"
II do not see how Bryce could have
obtained the note uIlless he paid th'
money. Where did your father keel
it?'
"He gave it to me, and l put it il
the secretary" .-.
"Who was in the room when yol
put it in the secretary?"
"Mr. Bryce, George Chandler, m!
father and myself"
The conversation was here inter
rupted by the entrance of Wallace. IL
looked pale and haggard, as much from
the effects of anxiety as from the de
bauch from which he was recovering.
"She has told you about it, 1 sup
oosep" said he in very low tone.
"She has"
pitied him, poor fellow, for tw'
thousand dollars was large sum 70
aim to accumulate in his little busi
ness. The loss of it would make tn
future look like desert to him. l
would be misfortune which one mus
undergo to appreciate it.
"What passed between you on tina
dayP'
"Well, merely stepped into his Of
fce-it was only the day before yes
.erday-to tell him not to forget t
nave the money for me by tomorrow
He took me into his back office, an
as sat there he said he would get th
money ready the next day. He the
: left me and went into the front oflic,
where heard him send George out I
che bank to draw check for two thor
sand dollars; SO ] supposed he was g
ing to pay me then"
What does the clerk say about it
"He says Mr.. Bryce remarked whe
he sent him, that he was going to pa
nae the money"
"Had you the note with youP"
'No, now / remember; he said |
j supposed had not the note with m
: or he would pay it. l told him
oopoo In tho naxt duv and would hay