The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-01-04

i "Liitle detective" was the laconic an
d swer.
i "Now
:" Fact. Had it from old Larkins; and
(. rather think he ought to know something
J about it,"
"WeIl, that is news ! Got a had title
eh /? | wonder who's on the hip now, MIR
Martin Lee ?D
D "Won't /, indeed; wait and see If do
} not deal him staggering blow, my name
: is not Jason EIder-that's al! always sand
Ia abide my time. Ha Ha! A flaw in
his title. Bot that's just his way of doiog
business. I'D like to see suy one pick a
flaw in mine"
True to the evil purpose declared, Elder
;o"k the frat opportunity to search out the
party ia whom the property owned by Lee
would tev>rf, in case defect really did ex
isl in his title, and communicated the fac:
alleged. This individual whose name was
Earl, seemed at first incrednIous bot when
Larkin was mentioned as authority, seemed
10 feel quite an interest in the matter.
81 arn really indebted 10 Sou," he said
with bland smile SHOULD i prove true
tina, there is defect / shall have quite
windfall and it could not have reached me
in better time. ] will have The matter 10
.vesiga;ed al once"
"That blow will tell bard surely have
planted it below the filth rib, said Elder to
himself, in tone ofcruel ex uIlstior, as be
! left the presence OF Earl.
Through much sell denial aud hard labor
continued through many years; had Lee
been able TO provide a modest homestead
for his family. He had been more anxious
to accomplish this from The TACT that declin-
ing health warned him OF the approach Of
day when his belonged ones who leaned
on him SO confidingly would have none to
care for them. II be could secure home,
into which they might cluster together, he
felt that much would be gained. Aud Ibis
he had accomplished but the effort cost
too dearly. He had taxed his physical sys-
tenn to an extent that produced serious re
action and, though he secured dwelling
Tor his family, he permanently weakened
his constitution.
One day, in making a sudden effort, he
ruptured blood vessel, and was taken
home in a dangerous condition. This was
The very day that Jason Elder made the
unfortunate discovery of defect in the tile
OF his property.
Little dreamed he, as with death knock
ing at The door, he found consolation in the
thought that his family, even If he were la
ken from them. would be ef, without
home, ,ha, a. the very lire there was
movement to deprive HIM of their little pa
trimony. And well for him was 1t that the
veil Of ignorance was beyond bis eyes for
had be 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
proceeding. were about being Instituted for
the purpose of testing The validity OF his IL
tie [; but learning that he was dangero usly
i'll, he went away without leaving any
word as. 10 the purpose OF his business.
In the meantime, Elder, wEo had no;
heard of Mr.. Lees illness, was awaiting
with some interest, to see the ultimate Ell
feet of the blow he had struck. There were
times when in a measure he repentei Of
what he had done But the repentance was
not very deep, and his i'll will towards Mr..
Lee soon oblileIale1 all traces thereof. On
the third day, Elder received brief note
from MIR, Earl, desiring him TO call at his
office, as he wished to see him on pariicu-
lar business.
/ There was something in this note that af
fected Mr.. Elder unpleasantly. What il
was, however, he could not discover, aIIho'
he read it over and over again, at least halt
dozen times.
81 wonder what he wants with me.7' he
said uneasiIy, as be started off to obey the
summons.. e1
sAh, Mr.. Elder, I'm glad to see you."-
( Mr.. Earl smiled, and he offered his hand
But there was something wrong in the
smile, and no heart whatever in the pres
sure of his hand.
"pve been investie eating the matter hat
you brought to nv notice." said MIR. Easl,
and his counlenance assumed very grave
aspect.
"Ah, have you7 Well, sir, did you no,
find it as said 9"
"There is flaw, .certainly, and very
serious one."
'Iwas sure of il from what Larkin said.
| He's never al fault in matters of this kind"
"You aimed heavy blow al Mr.. Lee,
my friend" said Earl. There was quick
change in his manner, followed by pause
Then he added
"But it passed him unharmsd. and struck
auolher.n
"Who an
+ "Yourself p'