East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-12-07

poisoned arrows, flung from. his bow
had flown harmlessly by him.
One day, while in conversation will
one Of those idle gossiping individuals
who give more attention to other peo
pies business than they do to then
own, the latter said, in responding tt
some ill-natured remark uttered
against Mr.. Lee. 81 learned fac
yesterday that may be you would like
to hear
"About that Leep" eagerly inquired
Elder.
Yes,.or, might better say, about
the ground on which he has built that
snug little house."
"Indeedw Our gentleman was all
alive now and commenced rubbing his
hands in delighted expectation
"What about the ground"
"Title Defective" was the laconic
answer.
"Now
"Fact. Had it from old Larkin
and L rather think he ought to know
something about it."
Well, that is news! Got bad
titled, eh? l wonder who's on the hip
now, Mr.. Martin Lee?'
"But surely, Mr.. Elder" said his
informant "you will not take advan-
tage Of this information to injure our
friend Lee?"
Won't 1, indeed wait and see. If
/ don't deal him q staggering blow,
my name is not Jason Elder--that's S
all. / always said I'd bide my time.
Ha ha! A flaw in his title. But
that's Just his way of doing business.
I'd like TO see any one pick flaw in
mine"
True TO the evil purpose declared,
Elder took the first opportunity to
search out the party to whom the
property owned by Lee would revert
in case defect really did exist in his
title, and communicated the fact al
legged. This individual whose name
was Earl, seemed at first incredulous;
but when Larkin was mentioned as
authority, he 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 windfall and it
could not have reached me in better
time. / will have the matter investi-
gated at once"
"That blow will tell hard surely.
I have planted it below the fifth rib, "
said Elder to himself in n tone nf
Ss.ssI essitasion, ashe left tho presence
of Mr.. Earl.
Through much self-denial and hard
labor, continued through many years,
had Mr.. Leo been able to provide n
modest homestead for his family. He
had been the more anxious to accom-
plish this from the fact that declining
health warned him of tho approach
of day-how speedily it might ar
rive, he knew not,-when his beloved
ones who leaned on him so confding-
ly, would have none to care for them.
If he could secure home, into which
they might cluster together, he felt
that much would be gained. And
this he had accomplished but the eff
fort cost too dearly. He had taxed
his physical system to an extent that
produced a serious reaction; and,
though he secured a dwelling for his
family, he permanently weakened his
constitution.
One day, in making a sudden effort,
he ruptured blood vessel, and was
| taken home in dangerous condition.
This was the very day that Jason Elder
made the unfortunate discovery Of a
defect in the title of his property
Little dreamed he as with death
knocking at the door, he found conso-
lation in the thought that his family,
even if no were taken from them,
would not be left without home !;
that at the very time, there was a
movement to deprive them of their
little patrimony. And well for him
was it that the veil of ignorance was
before his eyes for, 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 title but
learning that he was dangerously ill,
he went away without leaving any
word as to the purpose of his bust
ness.
In the meantime, Elder, who had
not heard of Mr.. Lees illness was
awaiting, with some interest, to SEQ
the ultimate effect of the blow he had
struck. There were times when in a
measure, he repented of what he had
done. But tho repentance was not
very deep, and his i'll will towards Mr..
Lee soon obliterated all traces thereof.
On the third day, Elder received
brief noto from Mr.. Earl, desiring
him to call at his Office, as he wished
to see him on particular business.
There was something in this note
that effected Mr.. Elder unpleasantly.
What it was, however, he could not
discover, although he read it over and
over again, at least half a dozen times.
81 wonder what he wants with me?"
he said uneasily, as he started of
promptly to obey tho summons.
"Ah, Mr.. Elder! I'm glad to see
you" Mr.. Earl smiled, and he of
fered his hand. But there was some
thing wrong in the smile, and no
heart whatever in the pressure Of his
hand.
Eve been investigating that mat
ter that you brought to my notice."
said Mr.. Earl, and his countenanco
assumed grave aspect.
"Ah! Have you? Well, sir, did
you not find it as said 2"
"There is flaw, certainly, and q
very serious one"
at vaa s,,ro of IL from whit I.arkin