Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-10-28

found consolation in the thought that hi
family, even if he were taken from them
would not be lett without home tina
at the very moment there was move
ment to deprive them of their little pat
rimony. And well for him was it thai
the veil of ignorance was before his eyes
for had he known of the threatened dan
ger, the knowledge would surely have
cost him his life.
On the day following gentleman call
ed at the house of Mr.. Lee to notify hin
that proceedings were about being insti
tuted for the purpose Of testing the vail
dity of his title but learning that ht
was dangerously i'll, he went away with
out leaving any word as to the purport Of
his business.
i In the meantime, Elder, who had no,
heard of Mr.. Lees illness. was awaiting
with some interest to see the ultimate
effect OF the blow he had struck. There
were times VIXEN in a measure, he repent
ed of what he had done. But the re-
peusance was not very deep, and his ill.,
will towards Mr.. Lee soon obllterated all
trace thereof
On the third day, Elder received q
brief note from Mr. Earl, desiring him
to call at his office, as he wished to.rsee
him on particular business. There was
something in this note that effected Mr.
Elder unpleasant'y. What it was, how
ever he could not discover. although h,
read it over and over again at least hall
u dozen times
Il wonder what he wants witt
me % he said, uucasi' y, as he started OF
promptly to obey the summons.
"Ah, Mr.. Elder. I'm glad to see you
Mr. EarI smiled and offered his hand
! But there was something wrong in The
~miic, and no heart whatever in the pres
sure Of hi, hand.
i've been investigating the matter
that you brought to my notice, SAID MI
i Earl, and his countenance assuaed :
grave aspect,
Nh. have you? Well sir did you
not hud ii is as | say? %
TAare il flaw, certainly, and very
serious Que
II was sure Of it from what Larkln
said. He's never at fault in matters Of
this kind
"Yo ou aimed heavy blow at Mr.. Lee
my fr end" said Mr. Earl. There wa'
quick change in his manner, followed
I by pause. Then he added:
but it passed him unframed and
del another
Who 2" eagerly en1uira1 Elder.
" ourseif - WIS the startling res
pouse.
Ne | do not understand you, Mr.
Eur
The countcnancc or Jason Elder had
become suddenly oyerspreel with alarm
"Mr. Lees title is perfectly good.
YES. But-yours is detective.
"ImpossiD.c :" exclaimed Elder turn
ing pale.
Not at all. Mr. Larkin is rarely a
fault in matters Of this kind. He knew
there was a flaw somewhere in the pro
pcrty that once belonged to my uncle''
estate, but erred in this instance. Mr.
Lee is safe, but your title is not worth q
copper. | am much obliged to you fol
bunting up this windiall or me-and
should hardly have come across 1t my
self and in consideration thereof, viii
deal with you as lennently as possible
OF course do not expect You to take
my word in regard to the flaw. Its ex'
istence, however, will soon be demonstrate
ed. You had better see your lawyer, and
SIX him to call on me. In the meantime
[ will say that for various reasons, am
ready to compromise. don't wish to
encounter the yexations, delays and ex'
pcnse of legal proceedings and there
fore, if you are disposed to meet the am
icably, l will not be too exact'ng, In
word, then, J have in my own mind the
sum for which | will execute quit claim
to the property. The sum is Ave hund-
red dollars y
Jason Elder groned aloud.
"If my claim on the property is good
and | know it to be- resumed Mr.
Early-"l can recover three times that
sum. If you compromise, | will act IN IN
spirit Of great moderation. But II
you compel me to resort to law, L Will
take I'll the law awards
Poor Jason Elder The blow was a
heavy one and it staggered him. A care
ful examination by his lawyer only proved
the assertion of Mr.. Earl. His title OIL
the property was not worth dollar,
Glad enough was he to accept the proller'
ed compromise. though at the clear loss
of five hundred dollars.
Well for Mr.. Lee was it, that the blow
aimed with such bitter maIisnlty, did not
execute the will of him by whom 1T was
given Tie consequence would to all hu'
man foresight, have proved fatal. Not
till he was sufficiently recovered from his
dangerous illness to be out again, did he
learn the evil. that had been meditated
and how it had recoled upon the head oil
the enemy.
His pointed answer was:
ale diggea pit for another and him
self fell into it"
The declaration of Elder made to more
than one that he had struck Mr.. Lee u
heavy blow, was remembered III connect
ION with his serious loss from de:ect In
his title and for long time afterwards
ne was spoken Of familiarity among those
who knew him as the "mal who struck
himself"