Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-08-27
Had you the note with you2n

could not be found. Annie and
have hunted the house all over.
"You told Bryce so?'
II did. He laughed, and showed
me his note with the signature cross
ed over with ink, and hole punched
through it."
sit is plain Mr.. Wallace, that he
paid you the money, as alleged, or
has obtained fraudulent possession of
the note, and he intends to cheat you
| out Of the amount"
'He never paid me-" he replied
promptly.
Then he has fraudulently obtained
possession of the note. What sort of
a person is that Chandler, who boards
with you?"
ga fine young man. Bless you,
he would not do anything Of that
kind"
Il am sure he would not, repeated
Annie, earnestly"
How could Bryce obtain the note
but through him? What time does he
come home at night?"
Always at tea time. He never
goes out IN the evening"
But, father, he did not come home
till 10 o'clock the night before you
went to Bryce's. He had to stay in
the Office to post books, or something
of the kind"
Chow did he get in9"
''How did he get in?"
"He has a night key"
''No harm IN seeing him." added
Me-. Wallace; II will go for him."
In few moments he returned with
the ; oung man Chandler, who, in the
con versation I had with him mani
tested very lively interest in the sol
ution of the mystery, and professed
himself ready to do anything to for
ward my views.
"When did you return to the house
on Tuesday night?"
"About 12"
'Twelver' said Annie; cit was not
more than 10 when [ heard YOU"
1.-The clock struck IL as turned the
corner Of the street" replied Chand-
Ter, positively.
Il certainly heard some one in the
front room at TO-" said Annie, look
ing with establishment at those around
her.
"We're getting at something" said
I. ''How did you get in?"
The young man smiled as he looked
at Annie, and said:
con arriving at the door, [ found I
had lest my night key. At that mo-
ment a Waterman happened along
and told him my situation. He knew
me, and taking a ladder from an I'M
finished house opposite, placed it
against one of the second-story wins
dows, and [ entered in that way"
"Good. Now, who was it that was
heard in the parlor, unless it was
Bryce Or one of his accompllces? He
must have taken the key from your
pocket, Chandler, and stolen the note
from the secretary. At any rate [
will charge him with the crime, let
what may happen. Perhaps he will
confess when hard pushed"
Acting upon this thought, I wrote a
lawyers letter. demanded against
you," etc.-which was Immediately
sent to Mr.. Bryce CautioniBg the
parties not TO speak of the affair, I dis
missed them.
Bryce came.
We'll, sir, what have you to say
against me?" he asked stif1y.
"a claim on the part of John Wal
lace for So, 000," I replied, poking over
my papers and appearing perfectly
Indifferent.
paid It," he said, short as pie
crust.
Have you9" said I, looking him
sharply in the eye.
The rascal quailed. saw that he
was william.
Nevertheless, if Within an hour
you do not pay me $4,000, and 800
for the trouble and anxiety you have
caused my client, at the end of the
next hour you will be lodged IN jail
to answer criminal charge"
'What do you mean, sir?'
Il mean what I say. Pay, or take
the consequences.
1t was a bold charge, and if he had
looked like an honest man, I should
not have dared to make it.
1T have PAID the money, [ tell you,"
said he; ST have the note in my posses
sion"
81 got il when I paid the"
when you felon ously entered the
house Of John Wallace, on Thursday
night, at 10 o'clock, and took the said
note from the secretary"
you have no proof, said he grasp
ing a chair for support.
THAT is my lookout. I have no
time to waste. Will you pay or go to
jail?"
He saw the evidence I had was too
strong FOR his denial, and he drew his
check on the spot for 81, 100, and after
begging me not to mention the affair,
he sneaked off.
I cashed the check and fastened to
Wallace's house. The reader may
judge with what satisfaction he re-
ceived it. and how rejoiced was Annie
and her lover. Wallace insisted that
I should take 500 for my trouble, but
7 magnanimously kept only $50.
Wallace signed the pledge, and was
ever after q temperance man. He died
few years ago, leaving handsome
property to Chandler and his wife,
the marriage between him and Annie
L.