The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-06-14
] ] .I a@ IStraid, WHEN and where can I bod

| he VIII be here this afternoon, an
swered Clara. " He proposes il we will
make him adeed OF the real estate, TO
give us tho bond and mortgage, leaving
our money in the bank and the rest OF
the personal property"
"Very liberal. Introduce me TO him,
when he comes, as an old friend Of the
family, and not rs o lawyer
Mr.. Alexander Campbell called in the
course Of the afternoon, and was made
acquainted with Abner Pierce, at whom
he looked suspicionsly; but his eyes
fell when he met the old gentleman,s in
tent and piercing gaze. Mr.. Pierce
glanced but slightly AZ the deed that was
offered for consideration Of the ladies,
being occupied in studying the coun-
tenance OF the man in whose favor it was
drawn. ffl-
81 can't decide upon 1t just now,"
he said, OF last, Gas friend Of these
young ladies-standing, as ! may say,
IN loco pareltis-I must make q few in
quiries concerning tho value Of this
property. Suppose you come after sup
per, Mr.. Campbell, mud suppose you
bring that mortgage with you. I have
no doubt II is all correct, but I would
like to see IT, .
Mr.. Campbell assented to this and
Withdrew. Abner Pierce filled his pipe
with nervous haste but also with tobacco,
and Mary brought him o light.
81 know that you have some good
news for us" she said, "I can see Il in
your face"
nNot bad, my child. 1 hope and
trust that it is very good, A good name,
but o bad man, / said and that is true.
Think Isee my way out Of this difficulty,
and the money that I lent you is safe.
But you musr u interfere withme, young
ladies, or be surprisedat anything may
soy or do, or object to il. You must
trust me, and let me work in my own
way
After supper, when Abner Pierce had
enjoyed another comfortable smoke, and
had conyersed with the girls concerning
their mother as he had known her in her
youth-a subject upon which he grew
quite eloquent-Alexander Campbell
came in, bringing the deed and mort
gage, both Of which he handed TO Mr..
Pierce for examination.
~ have made inquiries concerning
the property" said the old gentleman,
"and am satisfied TINT it Is not worth
more than the amount Of the mortgage,
and would probably bring much less II
sold at foreclosure. Your oiFer is 10
liberal one; but / must first look at the
mortgage. This appears to be correct, "
he continued, when he' had examined the
instrument. at is properly acknowl.
edged, and the signature is undoubtedly
that Of Philip Merwin. I suppose the
young ladies' will have to go to the coun-
try seat 10 execute the deed"
The girls countenancesf fell at this sud
den surrender on the part Of their cham
pion.
"This reminds me, " said the old law
yer, picking up the mortgage again,
nof 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 was similarity IN the circum.
stances. Don't look 80 downhearted,
young Indies. What will be must be,
and Il Is useless to cry about whit can't
be helped. As I was about to say, q
man died in Tennessee, leaving widow
and one daughter. The widow was
about to administer upon his estate,
when o man who .was unknown came for
ward, and presented o mortgage similar
10 this, and for exactly the same amount.
1t was examined by lawyers who were
familiar with the signature Of the de-
ceased, and pronounced correct. Al
though there was something strange
about the affair, they could find no flaw
in theinstrument. 1t was particularly
puzzling to one Of them, who thonglt
that he had transacted all the law busi.
ness Of tho deceased. He got hold Of
tho mortgage and brought Il to me when.
/ was in Nashville. Happened to have
in my possession very powerful magni-
fying. glass that had been presented to
meSt6e most powerful single lens I
have ever seen. With this fexamined
the mortgage, and soon discovered that
'forty' had been raised from -four
There was no mistake about it. I could
easily Zee the marks Of chemical erasure,
and The difference in pen and ink, be-
tween tho sraised and the rest OF the
instrument. How tho rascal got into the
registers office, I don't know; but the
record thore had been altered in the
same manner. Heran away, and 1t was
not considered worth while to follow
him. Strange circumstance, wasn't 1t,
Mr.. Campbelli"
Mr.. Campbell was fidgeting uneasily
in his chair, and made no reply.
0Here Is the glass; continued the
old gentleman, taking It froml Ills pocket,
isand YOU can see for yourself how well
IL maeniHes. Now, as l look as this
tforty why, bless me, the same signs
are visible TINT / saw in my Tennessee
mortgagel i think you will be obliged
TO drop this, Mr.. Campbell, Ny Ten.
nessee mans name was Alexander Bell,
and he has addeda q Camp to ii since he
came to Missouri" '{z r .,,
Campbell, his face red as flame,
reached out his hand for the document.
81 believe / willkeep this, Mr.. Camp
hell. FOR fear Of accidents. What, do you
think You could take 1t by FORGET Here
| Is something that shoots five times. Go.
ine. are yoIi Very well, I don't think
vol, @ will be molested, II you will leave
this part oi the country and never return
10 Il. II Is barely possible that the es-
tate bf Phillip Merwin may really owc
you.i four thousand dollars. II SO, ! nd
Wise Won not to try to collect the debt,
ss I s,ioh an attempt would land you in
~ n ssV. V..,o,,;tonIiarv Good.night. Mr..