The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-06-03
HOYT & CO., Proprietors.

erty," said the old gentleman, "and am satls-
fed that it is not worth more than the amount
of the mortgage, and it would probably bring
much less if sold at foreclosure. Your offer is
liberal one; but must first look at the mort
gage. This appears to be correct" ne con-
tinued, when he had examined the instrument.
cit is properly acknowledged and the sigma
ture is undoubtedly. that of Philip Merwlll.
suppose the young ladies will have to go 10
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 occur
renee that fell under my observation in len
nessee. Not that the two cases are alike, as
the Tennessee case was undoubtedly fraudu-
lent affair; but there was similarity IN the
circumstances Don't look so down-hearted,
young ladies. What will be must be, and 1t is
useless to cry about what cannot be helped.
As was about to say, man died IN Iennes-
see, leaving a 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. 1t was exam
ined by LAWYERS who were familiar with the
signature of the deceased, and pronounced
correct Although n there was something strange
about the affair, they could find no flaw in the
instrument. 1t was particularly puzzling to
one of them, who thought that ne had trans
acted all the law business of the deceased
He got hold of the mortgage and brought it to
me when I was in Nashville. | happened to
have in my possession very powerful magni-
flying glass that had been presented to me
the most powerful single lens 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. l
could easily see the marks of chemical erasure,
and the difference, in pen and ink, between the
raised and the rest of the 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
cot considered worth while to follow him.
Strange circumstance, wasn't it, Mr.. Camp
bell ?'
Mr. Campbell was fdgeting uneasily in his
chair, and made no reply.
"Here is the glass" continued the old gen.
tleman, taking it from his pocket, "and you
can see for yourself how it magnifies. Now,
as / look at this 'forty'-why, bless me! the
same signs are visible that [ saw in my Ten
nessee mortgage! think you will be obliged
to drop this, Mr.. Campbell. My Tennessee
mans name was William Bell, and he has add
ed Camp to it since he came to Missouri"
Campbell, his face red as flame, reached out
his hand for the document.
~ believe I will keep this, Mr.. Campbell,
you could take it by force? Here is some
thing that shoots FIVE times. Going are you?
Very well; 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 may really owe
you four thousand dollars. If so, advise you
not to try to collect the debt, as such an at
tempt would land you in the penitentiary.
Good night, Mr. Campbell, and farewell"
"What is it? What does this mean ?" asked
Clara, as Mr.. Pierce, rubbing hi hands and
smiling, hustled around to fill his pipe.
Are you so dull, my child? Why, the fel-
low is swindler, and has been found out. l
guessed as much when first heard of the affair,
and was sure of it when you told me his name.
You will soon be able to pay me my 5000, and
then we will straighten up matters. Thank
you, Mary, you are very kind to give me
light"
s'Do you mean to punish him ?" asked Mary.
ut would hardly pay. We could put him in
the penitentary, but you might lose four
thousand dollars by the job. BY trying for
forty thousand, he has lost the four that may
nave U6Gu justly ulS Ouc Ilc VIII bC iCll iiOi1
here by morning. 1 have no doubt. good
riddance to him Ah this is comfortable. I
know that feel better, and hope that you
do.'
The girls were sure that great weight had
been lifted from their minds and hearts. Will
liam Campbell, alias Bell, decamped, and Alb.
ner Pierce stayed a week with the orphans, du
ring which time he arranged all their affairs
satisfactorily, and won their lasting gratitude
and love.
"How can we ever thank you for all you have
done for us ?" said Clara, when he was about
to leave.
"It was for your mothers sake my child,
And for her sake, if can ever help you, all I
have is at your service.~
Abner Pierce has visited the orphans fre.
quently since the event above narrated, and
they have always had a cordial welcome for
"mas old beau"