Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-07-28

he looked suspiciously; but his eyes fell
when he met the old gentleman's intent
gaze. Mr.. Pierce glanced but slightly
at the deed that was offered for consid-
GRAFTON of the ladies, being occupied in
studying the countenance of the man in
whose favor it was drawn.
Sc L can't decide upon it just now" he
said, at last. GAS friend of these
young Understanding, as | may say,
IN loco PARENTS I must make few
inquiries concerning the value of this
property. Suppose you come after sup
per, Mr.. Campbell, and suppose you
bring that mortgage with you. have no
doubt it is all correct, but would like to
see it"
Mr.. Campbell assented to this and
withdrew. Abner Pierce filled his pipe
with nervous haste, but also with to-
bacco, and Mary bro ught him light.
I know that you have some good
news for us" she said, 81 can see it i
your face"
"Net bad, my child. I hope and
trust that it is very good. A good
name, but bad ran, I said, and that is
true. I think [ see my way out of this
difficulty, and the money that I lent you
is safe. But you mustn't interfere with
me, young ladies, or be surprised at
anything I may say or do, or object to
it. You must trust me, AMI let me work
in my own way"
After supper, when Abner Pierce had
enjoyed another comfortable smoke.
and conversed with the girls concern
ing their mother as he had known her
in her youth-a subject upon which he
grew quite eloquent-Alexander Camp
bel! came in, bringing the deed and
mortgage, both of which he handed to
Mr.. Pierce for examination.
81 have made inquiries concerning
the property" said the old gentleman,
"and am satisfied that it is not worth
more than the amount of the mortgage,
and would probably bring much less if
sold at foreclosure. Your offer is lib
eral one; but must first look at the
mortgage. This appears to be correct, /"
he continued, when he had examined
the instrument. cit is properly ac-
knowledged, and the signature is un-
doubtedly Shat of Philip Merwin. I
suppose the young ladies will have to
go to the county seat to execute the
deed"
The girls countenances fell at this
sudden surrender on the part of their
champion.
"This reminds me-" said the old
lawyer, picking up the mortgage again,
"of an occurrence that fell under my
observation in Tennessee. Not that the
two cases are alike, as the Tennessee
case was undoubtedly fraudulent affair;
but there were similarity of circum-
stances. Don't look so downhearted,
young ladies. What will be must be,
and it is useless to cry about what can't
be helped. AS was about to say,
man died in Tennessee, leaving widow
ard one daughter. The widow was
about to administer upon his estate,
when man, who was known, came for
ward and presented mortgage similar
to this, and for exactly the same amount.
1t was examined by lawyers who were
familiar with the signature of the deceas-
ed, and pronounced correct. Although
there was something strange about the
affair, they could find no flaw in the in
strument. 1t was particularly puzzling
to one of them, who thought that he
had transacted all the law business of
the deceased. He got hold of the mort
gage and brought it to me when [ was
in Nashville. / happened to have in
my possession very powerful magnify
ing glass that had been presented to me
the most powerful single Tense have
ever seen. With this I examined the
mortgage and soon discovered that
forty had been raised from -four
There was no mistake about it. could
easily see the marks of chemical erasure,
and the difference in pen and ink be-
tween the raised and the rest of the
instrument. dow the rascal got into
the Registers Office I don't know; but
the record there had been altered in the
same manner. He ran away, and it was
not considered worth while to follow
him. Strange circumstance, wasn't it,
Mr.. Campbell9"
Mr.. Campbell was fdgeting uneasily
in his chair, and made no reply.
Here is the glass, . continued the old
gentleman taking it from his pocket,
''and you can see for yourself how we'll
it magnifes. Now, as I look at this
sforty'-why, bless me, the same signs
are visible that saw IN my Tennessee
mortgage I think you will be obliged
to drop this, Mr.. Campbell. Ny Ten
nessee mans name was Alexander Bell,
and he has added Camp to it since he
came to Missouri"
Campbell, his face as red as fame,
reached out his hand for the document.
''I believe I will keep this, Mr. Camp
bell, for fear of accidents. Why, do
you think you could take it by force?
Here is something that shoots five
times. Going, are you? Very well, /
don't think you will be molested if you
leave this part of the country and never
return to it. It is barely possible that
the estate of Philip Merwin may owe
four thousand dollars. If SO, I. advise
you not to try to collect the debt, as
such an attempt would land you in the
penitentiary. Good night, Mr.. Camp
bell, and farewell.
"What was it? What does this
mean ?" asked Clara. as Mr.. Pierce.
rubbing his hands and smiling, hustled
about to fill the pipe.
va xro,, co Jp,1l MN child Whv