Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-08-04
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Mai. Clay was at breakfast on the sec
ond day after this interview between Sam
Holden ana his friend, when the girl who
attended to his wants entered the room
and informed him that two ladies wished
to see him
"Ah!' he said, stretching out his hand
for the card which the haudmaiden held
out to him. Exactly. Tell the ladies TO
walk in :"
The card bore the name of Mrs. John
Holden.
An elderly lady, dressed in black and
deeply yelled, came in, followed by a
younger lady, attired after the fashion of
the day. Maj. Clay bowed to them,
begged them to be seated, and waited for
his visitors to begin.
81 have called on you, sir, began the
widow, "about that check which my IN
fortunate boy has given to you. He tells
me that he has given you check for a
very large sum which you won from him
at cards. 1t was disgraeeful of him to dc
such a thing, for he can't pay it. He
asnt penny In the world but what al
low him"
$50 IL understand But, madam, you
are laboring under a mistake. 1t was net
his own check your son gave me, but
yours. Your own signature is at the fool
of it You gave it to him blank"
Il? Never!-that is, | may have given
him blank check once or twice; but GER
tainly they have been used and paid long
ago."
Maj. Clay took narrow strip of paper
from an inner pocket, and held it before
Mrs. Holden, taking care to keep a firm
grip of the document.
''ls that your signature, madame?" he
demanded
"No, never wrote that
will you swear it?" asked the major,
sharply.
Certainly, | will swear it.
''Ah! Them see. This check is a
forgery, is it?'
What, then, do you mean to do?''
asked the widow in trembling tones.
DO? What does every one do who
has been deceived by forgery?"
DO you mean that you will prosecute
my son?"
The major shrugged his shoulders and
looked away.
"Oh, don't do that! Anything rather
than that" cried the ladies together.
How can help it?''
will you take half the money from
me? Indeed, can't spare any more, .
said the elder lady, after few whispered
words had passed between her and her
companion
Half? No indeed. The question is
rather how much more will you paw
rather than your son should be sent to
penal servitude.
A scream, which the two ladies uttered
simultaneously, showed that this brutal
remark had the desired effect.
will you give me fifteen thousand for
the check?' asked Clay.
Fifteen thousand! | haven't got halt
that, | should have to sell one of the
mills cried the widow, clasping hel
hands.
Better that, I should think, than-the
alternative" said the major coolly.
''Ill tell you what I'll dc" he added
after minute or two spent in reflection
''if you will sign bond for Els, 900, with
an agreement to execute a mortgage fol
that amount over your mills and Other
property, I'll hand over the check to you
and say no more about it.
'Oh, Mr.. Clay-Maj. Clay, mean
that's far too much! [ couldn't give a:
much as thatr' cried the lady almost il
tear.
At length the widow agreed to execute
such deed as the maj1r required; ant
that gentleman despatched messenger
to a friend of bis who lived close by, ant
who" he said, knew little law" t
assist him in drawing up the document.
In less than an hour this was accom-
plished. Half the money was to be paiC
In a week, and the remainder in three
months time. The deed was signed
sealed and delivered, the check signet
IN. Holden was duly handed over, ant
the two ladies went away.
Si1 days passed, and then Maj. Cla.