Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1905-10-19
that such was the case The note had

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 | had discovered 1t myself by
accident. This treacherOus ink, on fad
Ing out. leaves the zinc in invisible
atoms in the paper so that every line
traced with 1t may be restored by the
application OF 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 drug
store. where l obtained the solution.
Returning to my office, l saturated
piece Of blotting paper with drop
of 1t. and applied it to a 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. l knew not what
hidden words the paper contained, and
1 placed 1t in my pocket-book, corked
up my vial Of wrath-which it 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! lie would
thank anybody to produce it.
Your honor" said I. addressing the
Judge. Il think | can produce the note
in question"
Il understood you that 1t was not
to be found" said Judge D, some
what surprised
1T has never been lost" said, as
took from my pocket the blank slip of
paper and handed 1t to him. This is
it,"
Il hope you are not trlfing with the
court he said, as he glanced at both
sides and perceived that 1t was a
blank.
II am not your honor" said |, as |
proceeded at once to explain to him
the chemical fact that l have already
described.
watched Alexander Bronton as |
did so and noticed that he turned very
pale. When l had concluded | took
from my pocket the vial containing
the solution, saturated piece OF blot
ting paper with 1t and pressed 1t upon
the blank slip of paper which lay on
the judges desk.
A few second left 1t so, then lift
ed it up, confident of the result: and l
was not disappointed. The blank piece
of paper was suddenly transformed
into a promissory note, every word
every letter and figure clear as sun
shine.
1t was note Of $4,000, with a years
interest just due. drawn in favor Of
William Campbell, and the signature
of Alexander Bronton was at the bot
tom Of it.
The Judge gazed in amazement from
the note toward Alexander BrOntOn
lust In time to discover that tricky
gentleman skulking away toward the
door. At the judges orders he WAS
brought back by an officer and in
formed that he would have something
more to answer for than the amount
Of the loan, with interest and costs.
And so 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 off with two years i'm
prisonment, and don't suppose he will
ever dabble in invisible ink again
This, my first case, attracted consid-
erable notice, and I have never since
had to lounge in my Office and yearn
for clients.-Waverly Magazine.