Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-08-13
MAS OLD BEAU.

SSo>&
forgeries at criminal trial at Chicago, re-
minded me Of an incident that occurred a
| few years ago, in the vicinity of st. Lonis,
| which seems to me to be worth relating.
| Clara and Mary Merwin, sisters and or
phans, were in the sitting room OF their
pleasant home on the edge Of a village near
the Missouri Their mother had been
dead several years their father had lately
died, leaving them an estate, as they sup
posed, of the valuation of about forty
thousand dollars, but they had learned
quite recently that the property was en-
numbered to such all extent that they were
likely to be deprived of it all. This dis
covery. as may be supposed, filled them
with sadness and anxiety, and they were
each seated in silence unable to read, to
J converse, to work, to do anything but
brude oyer their great misfortune.
While they were thus occupied with SOM
bre thoughts, a buggy drove up in front of
the house, and man alighted, and the
buggy drove away.
The man must have been on the shady
side of fifty, to judge from his gray hairs,
although his face was fresh and unwrin-
killed.. He was dressed with remarkable neat
ness. and his manners indicated briSkness,
as well as precision. In one hand he car
ried small valise. and in the other an UNI
brella, and he stepped quickly to the door
and rang the bell. In a few minutes he
was ushered into the presence Of the
young ladies.
I'm obliged to introduce myself, he said,
smiling and bowling in courtly manner
'Abner Pierce-here is my card-profes-
sional card You will perceive that am
lawyer in st. Louis, and presumably a
respectable man. Don't be afraid; am
not here to hurt you but to help you.
have the honor to call myself a friend of
your family-that is to say, although it is
many years since have seen any member
of said family. always had the highest
possible regard for your now sainted moth
er, and nothing would please mt better
than to be of some service to her children. ,
I'VE are happy to meet you,' murmured
Clara.
.Thank you. 1 happened to hear-no
matter-how-tha you are in trouble, and
have come up here in the belief that I can
assist you. 1 hope you will feel that you
can trust me. | am actually an honest
man, although a lawyer, and | mean well,
although may express myself clnmsily.
I am free to admit, said Clara, that we
need assistance and advice, and that we
have not known to whom to look for it,
Very well. tits a good thing no doubt,
that have come. Now, sit down and tell
me all about it,
Clara Merwin. who was the elder of the
| two orphans and leader in everything, told
how she and her sister had t;shhen out let
tiers of administration upon their fathers
estate, when man whom they never be-
fore heard of put in an appearance, and
presented a mortgage, with bond included,
executed by the late Mr.. Melwin, upon all
his real estate, for the sum Of forty thous-
and dollars. Not content with prohibiting
them from attempting to sell anything, he
had tied up their money in bank, leaving
them absolutely penniless. They had used
their credit, but tradesmen were becoming
impatient, and some had refused to supply
them any further without pay.
This is a bad case,' said Mr.. Pierce.
You need money-that is the first thing
I to attend to. You must let me act as your
banker until get you out of this scrape
and that won't be long, [ hope How much
do you owe?'
More than one hundred dollars ans.
wered Clara.
The old gentleman counted out two hun.
bred dollars from well-filled pocket-book
and handed it to her.
For your mothers sake, he SAID, when
she refused to receive it, and he forced il
upon her In such a way that she could moi
help taking it. He then accepted the youne
ladys invitation to make the house hi.
home during his stay, and went into Dime,
with them.
is there any place where / can smoke ?
he asked, when they had returned to til,
sitting-room.
You can smoke here,' said the impulsiy
Mary. Pa always smoked here, and w
are used to it,
Il So he took meerchaum and some to
bacco from his valise, and was soon puff
ing away with an air of great contentment
! Il can think better when I smoke h