Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-08-04

can't be helped. As was about to say, 9
man died in Tehnes.e &c, leaving widow
ami one daughter. The widow was abon,
to administer upon his estate, when man
who was known, came forward and pre-
sented mortgage similar to this, and for
exactly the same amount. It was examin-
ed by lawyers who were familiar with the
signature Of the deceased, and pronounced
correct, Although there was something
strange about the affair, they could find no
flaw in the instrument. II was particular
ly puzziing to one of them, who thought
that no 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. l happened to have in my
possession q very powerful magnify ing
glass that had been presented to me--the
most powerful single lens have ever seen.
With this 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 chemi.
cal erasure, and the difference in pen and ink
between the raised and the rest Of the in.
strument. How the rascal got into the
Register 3 Office don't know; but the record
there had been altered in the same manner.
He.ran away and twas not considered worth
while to follow him. Strange circumstance,
wasn't it Mr.. Campbell ?'
Mr.. Campbell was fidgeting uneasily in
his chair, and made no reply.
"Here is the glass;" continued the old
gentleman takingit it from hia pocket, ''and
you can see for yourself how we'll II mag
utE I - Al L. A~,s-
Why, bless me, the same aigus are visible
that | saw in my Tennessee mortgage! I
think you will be obliged to drop this, Mr.
Campbell. My Tennessee mans name was
Alexander Bell, and he has added Camp to
it since he came to Missouri
Campbell, his face red as flame, reached
out his hand for tue document.
II believe win keep this, Mr.. Campbell,
for fear Of accidents. Why, do you think
you could take II By force2 Here u somo-
thing that shoots five times. Going, are
you? Very well, don't think you will
be moiested II you leave this part of the
country and never return 70 it. It il bare
ly possible that the estate Of Phillip Mer !.
win may owe 81 900. Ifso.I advise you
not to try to collect the debt, as such an
attempt would land you in the Peniten-
tiary. Good night, Mr. Campbell, and
farewell"
"what was il? What does this means'
as ked Clara, as Mr.. Pierce, rubbing his
hands andsmiling, hustled about TO GIL the
pipe.
"Are you 30 dull, my child? Why, the
fellow is swindler, and has been found
out. guessed rs much when heard Of
the affair, and was sure Of il when You told
me his name. You will soon be able to
pay me 5000, and then we will straighten
up matters. Thank you, Mary, you are
very kind to give me light"
"Don't you mean to punish him2" said
Mary.
sit would hardly pay. We could put
him in the penitentiary, but you might lose
"A, 900 by the job. By trying for 10000
he has lost the $4,000 that may have been
Justly his. He will be far from here by
morning, haye DO doubt, and good rid
lance to him. All this is comfortable.
know that I feel better, and hope that
you do"
The girls were sure that great weight
had been lifted from their minds and hearts.
Alexander Campbell alias Bell decamped,
and Abner Pierce stayed week with the
orphans, during which time he arranged all
their affairs satisfactorily, and won their
lasting gratitude and love.
sIIs- ~.a esci si,..AA you IL. Ill yvu
have ever done for us?" said Clara, when
he was to leave.
at was for your mothers sake, my child.
And for her sake, If can ever help you,
all have is at your Service"
Abner Pierce has made visits to the or.
phans frequently since the event narrated,
and they have always had a c,rdial vel.
come for "ma's old beau.'