Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1893-05-19
Your principals know mo

we'll"
81 assure you am glad to see you,"
replied, now shaking his hand in turn
'your name is familiar one in our
house; butt" observing his emotion, "I
hope there's nothing wrongl"
~ hope not, my young friend" he
replied; sat least, nothing but what an
be amended, hope. MayI ask you If
you have sent off the notes you got from
my son to-1ay3"
"No, shall wait till reach Edin-
burgh," l said.
"Thank II !" he fervently ejacu.
lated, and then burst into loud fit of
sobbing, tho tears running down his
cheeks and over his venerable beard.
"Mr. Turner" he said in broken
voice, and az intervals between his sobs,
"you see before you an old man who has
lived for over seventy years blameless
life, respected by everybody, and yet my
gray hairs are to be brought down in
sorrow TO the grave. My SOD, my son
Thank God his mothers deadl"
l had some difficulty in prevailing
upon the old gentleman to try to restrain
hia agitation, and at last managed TO get
from his sad story.
| 1t seemed that for some months past a
large number of forged notes, purport-
ing to be genuine drafts on tho British
Linen Company's Bank, had been in cir
culation, and people were somewhat
chary about receiving any without the
most careful examination. When
heard this my hand moved instlnctively
to my breast pocket.
"Wait moment, Mr.. Turner" said
the old gentleman. "My son, who was
as steady and promising young man US
you'd find in all the Lothans and Ster-
lingshire too, has lately given way to
drink and horse-racing and gambling.
l have been suspccting for some time
that his money matters were not in the
best of order, and don't like the look
of his associates, especially at Tryst
times"
Hero 1 recalled the individual had
myself seen in the shop, but had not
noticed any communication between him
and young Macgregor.
$50 make long story short" re-
sumod the worthy old man, "my fore
man appraised me as soon as 1 got home
that my son had duly paid you, but not
with the notes he knew had left for
that purpose. left him Bank of Eng
land notes. If he has paid you in that
money no harm is done, but"
'No, he has not" said, becoming
almost as agitated rs my old friend him
self.
ooh, don't say there are British
Linenp
BY this time had my pocket book
out, and handed HIM one of the roll of
notes his precious son had given me.
Macgregor examined it carefully.
at seems all right, am thankful to
say" he remarked; then holding it be-
tween him and the light on the table:
SITS forgery; the watermark's wrong |"
One by one we examined the roll.
The watermark in all was identical, and
consequently all were as bad as the first.
Again the old man broke down, and
my own heart was in my mouth, can
tell you. At last, to my intense relief,
pulling his pocket-book from his pocket,
he said:
"hIr. Turner, only you and know of
the crime my wretched son has COM
mitted. His fate, and mine, too, l may
say, are in your hands. Will you give
me those notes for genuine ones2 have
them here in my hand. l will send my
sou out of the country. He richly de-
serves prosecution; but let me beg of
you to have pity, not upon him, but
upon me-"
Iwas really thankful to be able to
oblige old Macgregor, especially as by
doing so | saved myself further trouble
in the matter of the forged notes. A
prosecution would mean loss of time
and money, and what would my employ
ers have thought OF my lack of caution9
The old gentlemen took his leave with
every protestation of gratitude, fervent-
ly assuring me that he would remember
me that night aud many night to come
ut the throne of grace.
l drove into Edinburgh next morning.
left the horse and trap at the livery
stable Naismith had been in the habit of
using, and betook myself to IN hotel il
Princes street. Thence l wrote to my
principals, lnclosing the notes that now
seemed doubly precious. retained one
Of ten pounds, as had still day or two
to spend in town before my return to
Birmingham. 1 happened, however, to
get through all my business that after
noon, aud on the following morning pre-
pared to leave. 1 had not left myself
much time to catch the train, and was
chatting in the dining room at the wait
er's delay with the receipted bill and the
change for my ten pound note.
was trying to solace myself with the
view of the Waverly monument, just in
front of the hotel, when heard some
one enter the room. knew by the step
it was not the waiter, so did not turn
my head. The party, whoever it was,
however, came up to me, and, touching
me on the shoulder, said:
"Will you be good enough to come.
this waya"
"No, can't; I shall be too late for
my train as it is"
"Your train will have 20 wait aonna