Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-08-27
THE STOLEN NOTE.

Except that he INDUCED too freely
in the use Of the Intoxicating cup,
John Wallace was an honest high
minded and extraordinary man. His
Que great fault hung like a shadow
over his many virtues. He meant
well, and when he was sober he did
well.
He was halter by trade, and by
industry and thrift he had secured
money enough to buy the house in
which he lived. He had purchased il
before, for 50, 900 paying 81, 900 down,
and securing the balance by mort
gage to the seller.
The mortga ge was almost due at tie
time circumstances made me acquain>
ted with the affairs Of the family. But
Wallace was ready for the day; he
had saved up the money; there seemed
to be no possibility of an accident. I
was well acquainted with Wallace,
having done some little collecting and
drawn up legal documents for him.
One day his daughter Annie came to
my Office In great distress, declaring
that her father was ruined, and that
they should be turned out of the house
in which they lived.
perhaps not, Miss Wallace" said
[, trying to console her and give the
affair, whatever it was, q bright as
pect. ''What has happened?"
my father" she replied, had the
money to pay the mortgage on the
mouse IN which we live, but it is all
gone now"
HAS he lost it,"
IT don't know. suppose so. Last
week he drew $4,000 from the bank,
and lent it to Mr. Bryce for ten days"
"Who is Mr.. Bryce2"
He is broker. Ny father got ac-
quainted with him through George
Chandler, who boards with us, and who
is Mr.. Bryce's clerk"
docs Mr.. Bryce still refuse to pay
it,"
He says he has paid it."
"Well, what is the trouble thenm
Father says he has not paid it."
'But the note will prove that he
has not paid 1t. Of course, you have
the note?"
mo, Mr.. Bryce has it.
Then, of course, he has paid it?'
suppose he has, or he could not
haze the note"
''What does your father say?"
HE is positive that he has never
received the money. The mortgage,
he says, must surely be paid to>mor>
r. ""
very singular. Was your father
I hesitated to use the unpleasant
word, which must have grated harsh
ly Oh the ear of the devoted girl.
Mr.. bryce says father was not quite
right when he paid him, but not very
bad"
II will see your father"
He is coming up here in few
momen is; thought I would see you
first, and tell you the facts before he
came"
Il do not see how Bryce could have
obtained the note unless he paid the
money. Where did your father keep
it9"
He gaveit to me, andI put it in the
secretary?"
"Who was in the room when you
put it in the secretary2"
MIR. Bryce, George Chandler, my
father, and myself."
The conversation was here inter-
rupted by the entrance of Wallace.
lie looked pale and haggard, IS much
from the effects of anxiety as from
t ne deoauoh from which ne was re-
covering.
''She has told you about it, I sup
pose2" said he in a very low tone.
'She mas"
Ipitied him, poor fellow, for 50, 600
was large sum for him to accumu-
late IN his little business. The loss
of itwould make the future look like
a desert to him. It would be a mis-
fortune which one must undergo to
appreciate it.
''What passed between you on that
day."
well, I merely stepped into his
office-it was only the day before
yesterday-to tell him not to forget tc
have The money for me by tomorrow
He took me into his back Office, and
as sat there he said he would get
the money ready the next day. He
then left me and went into the from
office, where heard hirn send George
out to the bank to draw check fol
$4,000; so I supposed he was going tt
pay me then"
''What does the clerk say about it?'
''He says Mr.. Bryce remarked
when he sent him, that he was goine
to pay me the money"
"Just so.n
s'And when George came in ht
went into the front Office again ane
took the money. Then he came te
me again and did not offer to pay me
the money"