North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-11-23

I wonder who's on the hip now, Mr.. Martin
Lee 2" "4 9". 60. -.--E '~'
won't I, indeed wait and see" II I dc
not deal him staggering brow, my name is
not Jason Blder-that's all. I always said
I'D abide my time. Ha! Ha! A flaw IN
his title. Bu. that's just his way Of doing
business. I'd like to see any one pick flaw
in mne" .s s.' ~ ''a-.-. g. - - ..'.'
! True to the evil purpose declared, Elder
took the first oppoI tunty to search out the
party TO whom the property owned by Lee
would revert, in case a defect reslly did ex-
ist in his title, and communicated the fact
alleged. This individual whose name was
Earl, seemed at frst incredulous bu. when
Larkin was mentioned as authority, seemed
to feel quite an interest in the matter.
81 am really indebted to you," he said,
with bland smile "should it prove true
that there is defect shall have quite q
windlall and it could not have reached me
in better time. viii have the matter in.
vestigated at once" ~
"That Blow will tell hard, surely have
planted it below the fifth rib, said Elder to
himself, in tone of cruel 1exultation, as he
left the presence of Mr.. Earl.
Through much self-denial and hard labor,
continued through many years, had Mr.. Lee
been able to provide modest homestead for
his family. He had been the more anxious
to accomplish this from the fact that declin
ing health warned him Of the approach Of a
day when his beloued ones who leaned on
him so confiidingly would have none to care
COR them. If he could secure home. into
which they might custer together, he felt
that much would be gained. And this he lad
accomplished but the eff1rt cost too dearly
He had taxed his physical system TO an ex-
tent that produced serious reaction j.
and, though he secured dwelling for his fami
ly, be permanently weakened his consttu-
| tioD.
One day, in making sudden effort, he
ruptured q blood vessel, and was taken home
in dangerous condition. This was the very
day that Jason Elder made the unfortunate
| discovery of defect in the title Of his proper
| ty. ...-.-,...
Little dreamed he, IS with death knock
| ing at the door, he found consolation in the
thought that his family, even if he were taken
from them, would not he left without home;
that at the very time there was q movement
to deprive him of their little patrlmony.-
And well for him was t.that the veil of igno-
H.
ranc was before his eyes; fer, had he. known
Of the threatened danger the knowledge
would surely have cost him his life. ...
On the day following, gentleman called
at the house of Mr.. Lee, to notify him that
proceedings were about being Instituted for
the purpose of testing the validity of his til
tie: but learning that he was dangerously i'll,
he went away without, leaving any word as to
the purpose Of his business.
In the meantime, Elder, who had not
heard of Mr. Lees Hines, was awaiting
with some interest, to see the ultimate effect
OF the blow he had stuck. There were times
when. in o measure hO repented of what he
had done. But the repentance wa. not very
deep, and his ill viii towards Mr.. Lee soon
obliterated all trsces thereof. On the third
day, Elder fecieved brief note from Mr.
Earl, desiring him to call at his Office, as
he wished to see him on particular busi-
ness. @'.3 d
There was something in this note that aft
ected Mr.. Elder unpleasantly. What it was,
however. he could not discover, although he
read it over and over again, at least halt a
dozen times. '-"- l' . .."
"I wonder what he wants with me 2' he
said uneasily, as he started off to obey the
summons. ..-.ra.-a, -7---ss.q p .sit p
"Ah, Mr.. Elder, I'm glad see you."-
Mr. Earl smiled, and be offered his hand
But there was something wrong in the smile,
and no heart whatever in the pressure of
his hand,
"Pvebeen investigating the matter that
you brought to my notice." said Mr.. Earl
and his countenance assumed very grave as
psct. 7.j o. ''2> si@" -s'- '''i
"Ab, have you7 Well, sir, did you not
find il as said 2" F' '-.' Deg ''.' s''' .'"'
b 'Fhere 10 aaw, certainly, and very seri
Gus oue."
"T was sure of it from what Larkin, said.
He's never at fault in matters Of this kind"
"You aimed heavy blow at MI. Lee, my
friend" said Mr.. Earl. There was q quick
change In his ina pnsr, followed by o, ,pause.-
Then he added: s.. ..t,-, ,.sa,.-. ;.y-f e..
"But it passed him uuharmed, and struck
another ala .smia2 yHl g. C'!Dg s,di
"Whop 4as 80 aa-slta sew a3rssn ,,-sj
"YourseifF'T .-Eos 90 yr1rzaqqe Tt2ol
"Me! do not understand you, Earlm
The eountenauca of Jason Elder had becoma
suddenly erspread with alarm. .:'' '5'
"Mr Lees title 10 perfectly good" 81
M Ii In % ------..- nL ~ -. ----- " "a