Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-01-13


at the street door. Hetty went TO the
door, came back pale, and whispered to
Ben--"Squire Johns" ''" 7'''"'a a
,a;, Mile drew quickly back from the half
open door. Ben went into his visitor,
closing the door after him, but every
word was distinctly heard by Mile, for
Squire Johns did not speak in the suave
tone she was accustomed, to hear him,
but. loud and peremtorily. y ls.g
81 am in haste, young man; just
stopped to say that The time for the pay
ment of the money due me being day af-
ter tomorrow, if it is not ready | shall
be obliged Immediately to resort to Sc
we're measures. -
j sImpossiblew exclaimed the young
man IN surprised and. excited tone |;
"you are very much mistaken. 1t is not
due till the 2Sth, it is now but the 18th.
At that time shall sell the piece Of land
| partly expect to do, and hope with
some other money coming in, to be able
to, pay it," !, ,s.s.ay sf.-
"You are laboriDg under singular
mistake, young man. Here is your mort
gage, you can see for yourself that it is
the 18TH"
e "Let me see it."
aai The figures danced upon the page
He pressed his hands over his eyes aud
Gained himself with great effort. He
grew ashy pale as he read.
at reads so, certainly, but | can't uu :
derstand it." He went to the desk
"Here's memorandum my father made
of the circumstances, and ii is the 2stb,
and be was a very sure, methodical man,
and would not be likely to make mis-
take that might be fraught with very i'm
portant and evil consequences to him.
| believe a sudden suspicion coming
into hisfmind, as he detected a lurking
triumph in Squire Johns's eye, 81 be-
ieve there's some villainy about this mat
ter, and that you are at the bottom Of
it." lie exclaimed excitedly, fixing his eye
firmly upon the lawyer, who changed
color in spite of himself.
"Be careful what you say, young man,
as you may get yourself into trouble"
be said angrily. 81. a.1-t = <''o'-
Eyes, sir, | believe that you are
base villain! | remember that you are
the lawyer who. ilpado out the mortgage
at,tbe time, AMI J know that for years
you have been aching to get bold of this
property. If there is any justice in law,
you shall be. exposed! p ..f
"In the meantime you had better have
the money ready" cody and insnltingly
replied Mr.. Johns. -#aL erea o'aa
"That is impossible, you know. You
knew very well that / could not raise SO
much money in two days when you laid
your diabolical plans"
i.'sThen you knew the consequences"
sand what is to become of my young
sister?' ....:.. ..,
~ neither know nor care. That is
your lookout"
The young man strove TO repress his
passion. esquire Johns, by the 2sth /
can pay this debt, Iexpect'i o s1as@
THAT will do you no good 1t must
be ready by day after TO morrow, or
take possession. l might have shown
you mercy but for your insinuations =
Now, none" f" 1i' ',ai2A'. 9.g724
t"That is false liar villain and You
know it. You never showed mercy in.
your fife. You have won your i'll gotten.
wealth by robbing the widow and the
fathcrless. If you take his property,
may it bring you curse with it, now
and evermore! But WHILE it is in my
hands I'll kick you from it, you dastardIy
scoundfel!" -
The Squire was a small man as well
as coward, and while he was being ig-
ANONYMOUSLY elected from the house 10y
the angry and excited young man, Hetty
was crouched down close to Mile, pale
and frightened. Eva was sobbing in her
lap, and Millie-it was difficult to DIES
crlbe her feelings. 81 .S .ate
Ben did not come into the room for
some time afterwards. When he did he
looked haggard and aged, and was pass
ing through hastily, as if to escape notice
when Mile. business like and straight.
forward little girl that she was, began:
,""Mr. Hazel, | want to talk with you
a few moments. There would be no use
in pretending that I haven't heard what
you and Squire Johns have been saying.
for have heard every word. think |
know of some one who can heIp you;
but first may ask you few questions?'
Ben at first looked rdispleased and
naughty; but her kind, straightforward
manner disarmed him.. He bowed. as
sent. s1'''t
"What is the amount Of this mort.
gage g. n9ap eii to arlal31 ri 1h...
."Two thousand dollars and interest,""
was the brief reply. ,I .fr-- -a
"What is the total value Of the farm?"
"My father valued it at ten thousand
dollars" laJ iaa 1872. Cd .la7a
"Are there other mortgagcs?"aa .J7e
"None." ...a.nf. 500 s.4Y !.
."-Very well; | am quite positive know
some one who can loan you the money,
l am Millie Warner. Call on me to-
morrow at my cousins Mr.. Sanford's.
Ben's dreams were mixed up that night
with mortgages and hazel eyes, The
next day was a long time of suspense
and anxiety, and early in the evening
found him at Sanford's, where he was
received by Mile herself. e.1Hii'f% kis'
H. ~ox,k