Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-03-24

en- elderly gentleman, whose long wnlte
beard and white locks gave him very
venerable appearance. An elder OF the
Kirk of Scotland at least, said to my
self. He was travel-stained, and obvi-
ously very agitated.
"Mr. Turner, 1 am glad to have been
able to meet you," he said.
"Yes?" 1 replied interrogatively, for |
had no iLea who he was.
"My names Macgregor-Macgrego OF
Stirling. Your principals know me
we'll"
81 assure you I am glad to see you" 1
replied, now shaking his hand in turn
"your name is familiar one in our
house; butt" observing his emotion, 81
hope there's nothing wrongl"
~ hope not, my young FRIEND" he
replied; sat least. nothing but what can
be amended, hope. May ask you if
you have sent off the notes you got from
my son today"
"No, I shall wait till l reach Edin-
burgh," I said.
"Thank Heaveul" he fervensly ejacu-
lated, and then burst into a loud fit of
sobbing, the tears running down his
cheeks and over his venerable beard.
"AIr. Turner" he said in q broken
voice, and az intervals between his sobs,
"you see before you an old man whO has
lived for over seventy years a hsmeless
life, respected by everybody, and yet my
gray hairs are to be brought down in
sorrow to the grave. My son, my son
Thank God his mothers dead"
l had some difficulty in prevailing
upon the old gentleman to try to restrain
his agitation, and at last managed to got
from his sad story.
1t seemed that for some months past a
large number Of forged notes, puvport-
ing to be genuine drafts on the British
Linen Compauy's Bank, had been in cir
culation, and people were somewhat
chary about receiving any without the
most careful examination. Whom l
heard this my hand moved instinctively
to my breast pocket.
"Wait a moment, Mr.. Turner" said
the old gentleman. "Ny son, who was
as steady and promising a young man as
you'd find in all the Lothians and Ster-
Iingshire too, has lately given way to
drink and horse racing and gambling.
1 have been suspectiag for some time
that his money matters were not in tho
best of order, and I don't like the look
Of his associates, especially at Tryst
times"
Here | recalled tho individual l had
myself seen in the shop, but had not
noticed any communication between him
and young Macgregof.
"To make long story short" re-
sumed the worthy old man, "my fore.
man appriscd me as soon as I got home
that my son had duly paid you, but not
with the notes he knew 1 had left for
that purpose. I left him Bank of Eng.
land notes. II he has paid you in that
money no harm 10 done, but"
"No, he has not" ( said, becoming
almost as agitated as my old friend him
self.
ooh, don't say there ore British
Linen"
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.
cit seems all right, l am thankful to
say" he remarked; then holding it be-
tween him and the light on the table;
"It's forgery; the watermark's wrongp
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
nv own heart was in my mouth, can
tell you. At last, to my intense relief,
pulling his pocket-boOk from bis pocket,
be said;
"Mr. Turner, only you aud l know oi
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 note5 for genuine onesl 1 have
them here in my hand. will send my
son out of the country. He richly de-
serves prosecution; but let me beg Of
you to have pity, not upon him, but
upon me"
Twas really thankful to be able tC
obligc old Macgregor, especially as BY
doing so saved myself further trouble
in the matter Of the forged notes. A
prosecution would moan loss OF time
and money, aud what would my employ
ers have thought Of my lack Of cautioni
The old gentlemen took his leave with
every protsstatiou of gratitude, fervent-
ly assuring me that he would remember
me that night aud many night to come
at the throne of grace.
drove into Edinburgh next morning
| | left the horse and trap at the livery
stable Naismith had been in the habit o
using, aud bcsoOk myself to an hotel L
Princes street. Thence wrote to M