The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-10-09

7 y
the matter Of that mortgage, Miss Mer-
win 2"
Yes, sir, replied Clara. "0ur law
yer said it was plain case against us, al
though It was strange that We had never
heard of the mortgage before"
Strange. What Is the name of the
man who holds it?'
Alexander Campbell"
Hump. Agood name, but bad man,
am afraid. When aud where can see
him ?"
He will be here this afternoon, an-
swered Clara. HE proposes if we will
make him deed Of the real estate, to give
up the bond and mortgage, leaving us our
money in bank and the rest of our personal
property"
"Very liberal. Introduce me to him
when he comes as an old friend Of the
family, and not as lawyer"
Mr. Alexander Campbell called in the
course Of the afternoon, and was made ac-
quainted with Mr.. Abuer Pearce, at whom
he looked suspiciously; but his eyes fell
when he met the old gentlemans intent
gaze. Mr.. Pierce glanced but slightly at
| the deed which was offered for the con.
sideration of the ladies, being occupied in
studying the countenance Of the man in
whose favor it was drawn.
Il can't decide on it just now" he said
at last, may say, IN loco parents. al
must make few inquiries concerning the
valde of the property. Suppose you come
after supper, Mr. Campbell, and suppose
you bring that mortgage with you. l
have no doubt il is all correct, but would
like to see il"
Mr.. Campbell assented to this aud with
drew. Abner Pierce filed his pipe with
nervous haste, but also with tobacco, and
Mary brought him light.
al know that you have some good news
for us, she said, ~ can see it in your
face"
Not bad my child. l hope and trust
that il is very good. A good name, but a
bad man, said, and that is true. l
think | see my way out of this difficulty,
and the money | lent you is safe But
you mustn't interfere with me, young la
dies, or be surprised at anything l may
say or do, or object to it. You must trust
me, and let me work in my own way"
After supper, when Abner Pierce had
enjoyed another comfortable smoke, and
conversed with the girls concerning their
mother as he had known her in her youth
"a subject upon which he grew quite elo.
uent,-Alexandcr Campbell came in,
bringing the deed and mortgage, both Of
They have unitl
-" strance to the 81
The continuance luiries concerning the
prdsuppress the iDs old gentleman, 'and
an by wise policyis not worth more than
n, without further o..... - -,
this effort ut pa eT
pr that these Spansh less II soid At lore
or indirectlyner is a liberal one, but
u Junta in Newt the mortgage. This
d effort for paciLect )" he continued when
s ..;D. ~ the instrument. ut is
? pondepce Is kledged and the signature
II Adyices that Of Philip Merwin. I
he say that young ladies will have to go
b. lsthmiuty seat to execute the deed"
ck ,lonSgirls countenances fell at this
ny den surrender on the part of their
t, hampton.
This reminds me- said the old law
yer, picking up the mortgage again, "of
an occurrence that fell under my observa-
tion ia Tennessee. Not that the two cases
are alike, as the Tennessee case was un-
doubtedly fraudulent affair but there is
similarity in the circumstances. Do not
look so down hearted, young ladies, What
will be must be, and it is useless to cry
about what can't be helped. As l was
about to say, man died in Tennessee,
leaving widow and one daughter. The
widow was about to administer upon his
estate, when n man who was unknown
came forward, 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 deceased, aud pronounced correct.
Although there was something strange
about the affair, they could find no flaw in
the instrument. 1t was particularly puEz-
ling to one Of them, who thought he had
transacted all the law business of the
deceased. He got hold Of the mortgage
and brought il to me when | was in Nash
vile. happened to have in my possess
sion very powerful magnifying glass that
had been presented to me-the most power
full single lens l have ever seen, With
this | examined the mortgage, and soon
discovered that four had been raised to
forty. There was no mistake about il,
l could easily see the mark of chemical
erasure, aud the difference in pen and ink
between the ''raised" and the rest of that
instrument, How the rascal got into the
Registers Office | 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..
Campbell 2"
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