The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1905-11-03
that such was the case. The note had


been written with fading Ink.
But there was another chemical Sc
cretf which probably Bronton did not
know, as l had discovered 1t myself ~
accident. This treacherous ink, on fad
ing out. leaves the zinc In invisible
atoms in the paper so that every line
traced with it may be restored by tho
application of a certain solution OF SUI
phate Of iron and hydrate Of calcium.
So. no sooner had Mr. Campbell left
my office than hurried out to a dru,!
store. where I obtained the solution.
Returning to my office, l saturated
n piece Of blotting paper with a drop
Of 1t. and applied it to corner OF the
blank clip of paper. The result made
me jump up. clap my hands, and near
ly yell with delight, for fresh and clear
the dollar came out. knew not what
hidden words the paper contained, and
I placed it in my pocket-book, corked
up my vial Of wrath-which 1t was
destined to prove to the worthy Mr..
Bronton-and went Immediately and
brought suit against him for the re-
covery of the amount of the note, with
interest and costs.
A few days later Alexander Bronton
stood at the bar Of Justice to answer In
his own behalf. 1t seemed SO easy a
case to him that he did not deem It
necessary to employ any counsel.
Mr.. Campbell swore to the facts he
had related to me concerning the loan.
Mr.. Bronton answered, on oath. that
he had no recollection Of ever borrow
ing any money Of the plaintiff. II he
did. where was the note? He would
thank anybody to produce it.
your honor" said l, addressing the
Judge. II think 1 can produce the note
in question"
II understood you that 1t was not
to be found" said Judge D., some
what surprised.
1T has never been lost" 1 said. as 1
took from my pocket the blank slip OF
paper and handed It to him. This Is
it."
court" he said, as he glanced at both
sides and perceived that it was a
blank.
II am not, your honor" said l, as I
proceeded at once to explain to him
the chemical fact that l have already
described.
I watched Alexander Bronton az
did SO and noticed that he turned very
pale. When l had concluded l took
from my pocket the vial containing
the solution, saturated piece Of blot
ting paper with 1t and pressed it upon
the blank slip Of paper which lay on
the judges desk.
A few second left it 80, then lift
cd it up. confident Of the result; and I
was not disappointed. The blank piece
Of paper was suddenly transformed
into 4 promissory note. every word.
every letter and figure clear a. sun
shine.
1t was q note, Of $1,000. with a years
interest Just due, drawn in favor Of
William Campbell. and the signature
Of Alexander Bronton was at the bot
tom Of 1t.
The judge gaDed in amaKement from
the note toward Alexander Bronton
just in time to discover that tricky
gentleman skulking away toward the
door. At tho judges orders he was
brought back by an on1cer and in
formed that he would have something
more to answer for than tho amount
Ct the loan, with interest and costs.
And 20 he had. Abashed and terri
fed at the discovery Of his unsuccess-
full swindle, and in hopes of propitiat-
ing the court, he at once gave his check
for the amount due Mr.. Campbell. and
paid the costs. In view Of his confes-
sion, he was let of with two years i'm
prisonment, and don't suppose he will
ever dabble IN invisible ink again.
This, my first case, attracted consid-
cradle notice, and have never since
had to lounge in my office and yearn
for clients.-Waverly Magazine.