Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-05-17
A SCHEME THAT FAILED.

afternoon, In the private room OF his
Office In Exchange court, In the city
Of Liverpool
In the eyes of the commercial world
Mr.. johnson was rich man In the
eyes of his confidential clerk and
himself his firm was on the brink OF
ruin.
Mr.. Johnson got into his light over
coat, drew on his gloves In the calm.
gentlemanly way in which he did
most things, took up his hat and
stick, went down stairs, and leisurely
entered hanson, which he directed
to q certain house in James street.
Mr.. Johnson, having Instructed the
cabby to wait. threaded tho tortuous
maze OF passages which led 10 the
sanctuary where Levi s. Co. trans
acted their mighty business and made
their piles of gold.
After few preliminary remarks
in which, as his name, calling, and
place of business were chiefly con-
cerned, Mr.. johnson did not find IL
necessary to employ his inventive
talent-he proceeded to enter into
the particulars of his projected busi-
ness with Levi & Co.
II have been in the habit OF ship
ping cotton from Alexandria by the
vessels of Jones & Co.; but if you,
gentlemen, can see your way to make
me the necessary advances on car
goes, propose transferring my bust
ness to your firm.
SAT present have 1000 bales of
cotton ready to ship here from Alex
Rndria, for which l want an advance
of 10000 pounds.
This only, of course, on your re-
ceipt OF the usual bills OF Iading from
Alexandria; and" with a courtly
bow, should you desire to make
any inquiries regarding the standing
of my firm, etc, trust that you will
find all things Satisfactory"
I'VE know your firm we'll by repu-
tation, Mr.. Johnson" said Mr.. Levi,
though we have not had the pleasure
of knowing you personally until to-
day"
Then" said Mr.. Dorren, "after
due nquiries-which in your case,
Mr.. johnson, are mere matter of
form-we shall be pleased to make
you the required advance on receipt
of the formal bills of lading from our
agents in Alexandra"
That night Mr., johnson had i'm
portant business which detained him
in his private Office until tho small
hours of the morning.
He was writing, not in his usual
rapid and continuous style, but labor
iously and haltingly. Had you stood
behind his chair for a second, you
would have seen that he was carefully
copying a signature which read thus {:
abdul Pinero."
Mr. johnson took his leave, and re.
Tairn1 fN off
Of his clerks, In preoccupied tone,
to address an envelope to Messrs. Levi
q Co. He subsequently, placed in this
envelope the forged bill OF ladinS. and
sealed it up.
Then he wrote long, gosslpy let
ter to friend in nAlexandria-an easy
going, head-in-the-cl clouds" kind of
fellow, who would suspect nothing
and in postscript asked him. as n
special favor, to post tho enclosed
letter for him in Alexandria on the
day when the ship EstrelIa was
cleared"
Three weeks later Mr.. johnson was
again in Messrs. Levi &c Co. 's office.
The bills oflading had been received,
and all preltminaries having been
satisfactorily arranged and the neces-
sary documents as to interest having
been duly signed, Mr.. Levi drew his
check book towards him and signed
a check for EGO, 900.
The Estrells was signalled in due
course, and Messrs. Levi g. Co.
despatched a clerk to the docks for
the ships papers.
The captain was on deck as the
clerk who was named Davis, crossed
the 9anRway.
Rather heavy cargo this time,
haven't your"
No, lighter than usual"
But, said Davis, with an afr of
surprise, you have got 1000 bales OF
cotton on board from Pinero & Co."
Haven't bale of cotton on
board" returned the captain.
Davis made his way back to his ON
ployer's office. and with considerable
trepidation informed them of the non.
arrival of the expected cargo. Dor
rell turned pale, and Levi became
perfectly green.
A hurried telegram was despatched
to the agents in Alexandria. and in
the course of few hours the ansyer
was flashed back:
No such consignment despatched
to you. Some mistake.
In five minutes Mr. Levi was driy-
Ing furiously up in Exchange Court.
where, 1t is needless to say, he did not
ind Mr. Johnson, nor did he find any.
one connected with the firm. The
door leading to the Offices was locked,
and card neatly tackled on it bear
ing the inscription:
On the continent for an indefinite
period"
Upon arriving in James street, Mr..
Levi was in a state of agonized rage
and excitement battling description
Mr.. Dorrell sat for few minutes pale
and silent, but in all firms of two or
more partners there is usually one
who talks and one who acts, and in
this firm Mr. Dorrsn was always the
one who acted.
We had better send for Bolton"
lie said at last, and Bolton, the ceie-
brated detective, Was sent for.
Two men were 1ounging, one hot
August evening, on the veranda Of
the Fonda Alameda, at Malaga. Both
were smoking, and from their con-
versation they were, evidently, re.
cent acquRintsnoes.
Yes" the elder of the two men
was saying, with strong American
twang, am travelling for pleasure.
I've made q pretty tall sum IN min.