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


come home at night?"
always at tea time. lie never
goes out in the evening""
"But, father, he did not come home
till ten 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"
"How did he get imp
"He has night key"
81 must see Chandler" said l.
"No harm in seeing him." added Mr..
Wallace; 81 will go for him.
In few moments he returned with
the young man Chandler, who, in the
conversation l had with him, mani
tested very lively interest in the So
luton 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 twelve"
"Twelvew said Annie; it was not
more than ten when l heard you"
"The clock struck twelve as turned
the corner of the street." replied Chand-
Ter, positively.
81 certainly heard some one in the
front room at ten," said Annie, looking
with astonishment at those around her.
"We're getting at something" saidI.
"How did you get in?"
The young man smiled as he looked
at Annie, and said:
"On arriving at the door, I found l
had lost my night key. At that mo-
ment watchman happened along and
/ told him my situation. Heknew me,
and taking a ladder from an unlinish-
ed house opposite, placed it against one
of the second-story windows, and Len
tered in that way"
Good. Now, who was it that was
heard in the parlor, unless it was
Bryce or one of his accomplices? He
must have taken the key from your
pocket, Chandler, and stolen the note
from the secretary. At any rate I will
charge him with the crime. let what
may happen. Perhaps he will confess
when hard pushed"
Acting upon this thought, | wrote a
lawyers demanded against
| you," etc.-which was Immediately
sent to Mr. Bryce. Cautioning the
parties not to speak of the affair. l dis
missed them.
Bryce came.
"Well, sir, what have you to say a.
gainst me?" he asked, stifly.
"a claim on the part of John Wal
lace for $20O0," replied, poking over
my papers, and appearing perfectly in
different.
"Paid it" he said, short as piecrust
'Have you?" said I, looking him
sharply in the eye.
The rascal quailed. saw that he
was a villain.
Nevertheless, if within an hour you
do not pay me $4,000 and 500 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 a
criminal charge"
"What do you mean, sir?'
II mean what 1 say. Pay, or take
the consequences"
1t was bold cha rye, and if he had
looked like an honest man, l should
not have dared to make it.
81 have paid the money, l tell you, "
said he; 81 have the note in my posses
sion."
II got it when paid the"
"When you feloniously entered the
house of John Wallace, on Tuesday
night, at ten 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. have no time
to waste. Will you pay, or go to Jail ?'
He saw the evidence l had was toe
strong for his denial, and he drew his
check on the spot for S2l00, and after
begging me not to mention the affair
he sneaked off.
l cashed the check and hastened tC
Wallace's house. The reader may judge
with what satisfaction he received it
and how rejoiced was Annie and hel
lover. Wallace insisted that l should
take 800 for my trouble, but mag
unanimously kept only $50. Wallace
signed the pledge, and was ever aftel
temperance man. He died few
years ago, leaving handsome proper
ty to Chandler and his wife, the mar
riage between him and Annie having
taken place shortly after the abov'
narrated circumstance occurred.
,
A good beginning is half the work.