The One-Pound Note

The One-Pound Note

In a secluded area near Hebden Hay, Samuel Sutcliffe, a bachelor and worsted manufacturer, lives with his nephew, William. Samuel is known for his frugality and has saved a considerable amount of money. William, who runs a small fustian business, travels frequently for work. On February 3, 1817, he departs for a trip, leaving Samuel alone. Michael Pickles, known as "Old Mike," is a local laborer with a reputation for dishonesty. He lives nearby and is known for stealing, including bee-hives. His accomplice, John Greenwood, is a weaker character easily influenced by Mike. On February 6, Mike convinces John to rob Samuel, claiming they can find money at his house. That night, they set out to commit the burglary. Mike enters Samuel's home through a window while John stands guard outside. Samuel awakens and calls for help, prompting Mike to strangle him to prevent alarm. After killing Samuel, they steal various items, including an oak box containing money, and flee to Mike's home. The next morning, Samuel's body is discovered by a neighbor, leading to an investigation. Suspicion quickly falls on Mike, especially after he exhibits signs of agitation. William Sutcliffe returns home to find his uncle dead and realizes that a unique unsigned note is missing, which had been left with Samuel. As the investigation unfolds, John Greenwood attempts to shift blame by discarding evidence. However, the unsigned note eventually leads to their capture. Both men are arrested, and after a series of confessions and confrontations, they are charged with murder and burglary. During the trial, both men deny the murder but admit to the burglary. The judge explains the legal implications of their actions, emphasizing that both are guilty if one commits murder during a joint crime. The jury finds them guilty, and they are sentenced to hang. On March 17, 1817, both men are executed. Their bodies are subsequently used for dissection, marking the end of a grim tale of greed, betrayal, and murder in a small community.

By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1898 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Crime, Mystery · 7,684 words

First lines

Samuel Sutcliffe lived at Hebden Hay, or Hawden Hole, about a quarter of a mile west of Newbridge, nearly at the bottom of the steep slope which descends from Whitehill Nook to the river Hebden. The house is still standing, easy to be recognised by its whitewash and by the yew-tree which grows between the door and the path leading to Upper Hepton and Tommy Rocky's. Beside the farmhouse there is under the same roof a cottage at the east end. In the field at the west end, and below the house, stretching down to the stream, were formerly some mounds, where it was said that the Heptonstall people during the plague buried their dead. Crabtree says (p. 15): "Of that dreadful epidemic, the plague, one hundred and seventeen persons are said to have died at Heptonstall in 1631, several of whom were buried at home, but all entered in the register there. " In the old barn near the house, pulled down a few years ago, since 1817, an old man cut his throat. The yew-tree is no inapt symbol of the melancholy associations of this secluded spot -- a cemetery, a suicide, and a murder.[16]

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The One-Pound Note is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1898 CE.

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short story · fiction · humor · satire · 19th century · British literature · social commentary · money · class · irony · character study · narrative

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