The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-05-20

withdrew. Abner Pierce filled his pipe
\ with nervous haste, but also with tobac'
CO, and Mary brought him light.
81 know that you have some goot
news for U.S." she said. 81 can see 1t ii
your face"
"Not bad, my child. hope and trust
that 1t is very good. A good name
but bad man, said, and that is true
think see my way out OF this difficult
| ty, and the money that / lent you is safe
But you mustn't interfere with me,young
say or do, or object to it. You must
trust me, and let me work In my OWE
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 heI
youth-a subject upon which he grew
quite loquent-AleXander Campbell
came in, bringing in the deed and the
mortgage, both OF which he handed to
Mr.. Pierce for examination.
81 have made inquiries concerning the
property" said the old gentlemen, "and
am satisfied that it is not worth more
than the amount of the mortgage, and II
would probably bring much less if sold
at foreclosure. Your offer is liberal
one; but 1 must first look at the mort.
gage. This appears to be correct" he
instrument. "It is properly acknowl
edged, and the signature is undoubtedly
that of Philip Merwin. suppose the
young ladies will have to 60 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 law.
yer, picking up the mortgage again, sol
an occurrence that fell under my obser-
walton in Tennessee. Not that the two
cases are alike, as the Tennessee case
was undoubtedly a fraudulent affair;
but there was similarity in the 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 Twas about to say, a man
died in Tennessee, leaving widow and
one daughter. The widow was about to
administer upon his estate, when man
who was unknown came forward and
presented mortgage similar to this,
and for exactly the same amount. Itwas
examined by lawyers who were familiar
with the signature of the deceased, and
pronounced correct. Although there was
could find no flaw In the instrument. 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 mortgage and brought it
to me when was in Nashville. l hap
pened to have In my possession a very
powerful magnifying-glass that had been
presented to me-the most powerful sim
gle lens l have ever seen. With this l
examined the mortgage, and soon dis
covered that forty had been raised from
srour.' There was no mistake about It,.
| could easily see the marks of chemi al
erasure, and the difference, in pom and
ink, between the 'raised' and the rest Of
the instrument. How the rascal got into
the Registers Office, l don't know; but
the record there had been altered in the
same manner. He ran away, and 1t was
not considered worth while to follow
him. Strange circumstances, wasn't it,
Mr.. CampbellW
Mr.. Campbell was fidgeting uneasy 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 magnities. Now, as | look at this
forty'-why, bless me! the same signs
are visible that saw in my Tennessee
mortgagel think you will be obliged
to drop this, Mr.. Campbell. My Tennes-
see man's name was Alexander Bell,
and lie has added a Camp to it since he
came to Missouri"
Campbell, his face red as flame, reached
out his hand for the document.
II believe / will keep this, Mr., Camp
bell, for, fear 81 accidents. What! do
you think you could take 1t by force
Here Is something that shoots five times.
Going, are your Very well, 1 don't
think you will be molested, if YOU will
leave this part of the country and never
return to it,. 1t is barely possible that
the estate of Philip Merwin maJ really
owe you four thousand dollars. II 80,
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"
WWhat is itp" What does this mean?''
asked Clara, as Mr. Pierce, rubbing his
hands and smiling, hustled about to ill
his pipe.
"Are you SO dull, my child? Why, the
fellow is a swindler, and has been found
out. / guessed as much when l first
heard of the 'affair, and was sure Of il
when you told me his name. You will
soon be able to pay me my 5000, and then
we will straighten up matters. Thanh
you, Mary, you are very kind to give me
light"
"Dont you. mean to punish himr
asked Mary.
"It would hardly pay. We could put
him in the Penitentiary, but you nigh
lose four thousand dollars by the job
By trying for forty thousand he has los'
the four that may have been justly his
due. He will be far from here by morn
ing, have no doubt, and good riddanct
to him! All! this Is comfortable.
know that feel better, and hope tina
you do"
The girls were sure that great weigh
had been lifted from their minds an(
hearts. Alexander Campbell, alias Bell
decamped, and Abner Pierce stayed .
week with the orphans, during whicl
time he arranged all their affairs salts
factorily, and won their ting gratitude
and love.
"Iow can we ever thank you for oil
you have done for US 2" said CLARA, whel
he was about to leave. tai
"It was for your mothers sake, m,
child. And for her sake, ii / can eve
help you, all have Is at your service.'
Abner Pierce has visited the orphan
frequently since the event above mar
rated and they have always had cor
dial welcome for 'sma's old BEAU"
.Cowrt CuITtn0s.
Anthony Brown and others, abuttin
property owners on road in Columbi
IL l.