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

NSN ~ WILL 0.TSn
Clara and Mary Merwin, sisters an,
orphans, were in the sitting-room OF the
pleasant home on the edge of villag'
near the Missouri. Their mother hat
been dead several years; their fathe
had lately died, leaving them an estate
as they supposed, of the value of some
forty thousand dollars. But they hat
learned quite recently that the property
was incumbered 10 such an extent tina
they were likely to be deprived OF 1t all
This discovery, as may be supposed
flied them with sadness and anxiety
and they were seated in silence, un
anything but brood over their great mis-
fortune.
While they were thus occupied with
their somber thoughts, a buggy drove VI
in front OF the house, and man alighteC
and the buggy drove away.
This man must have been little or
the shady side of fifty, to judge from his
gray hairs, although his tace was fresl
and unwrinkled. He was dressed witt
remarkable neatness, and his manner in
dicated briskness as well as precision
In one hand he carried small yalise
and in the other an umbrella, and ht
stepped quickly to the door and rang the
bell. In few minutes he was ushereC
into the presence of the young ladies.
81 am obliged to introduce myself" he
said, smiling and bowling in a country
manner-'Abner Pierce. Here is my
card-professional card. You will per
ceive that am lawyer in St. Louis
and presumably respectable man
Don't be afraid; l am not here to hur1
you, but to help you. 1 have the honor
to call myself a friend OF your family
that is to say, although it is many years
since l have seen any member of said
family, always had the highest possi
BILE regard for your now sainted mother
and nothing could please me better than
to be of some service to her children"
"We are happy to meet you," muir.
INJURED Clara.
''Thank you. I happened to hear--no
matter how-that you are in trouble, and
have come up here in the belief that !
can assist you. l hope you will feel that
you can trust me. am actually an hon.
est man, although lawyer, aud mean
we'll, although ! may express myself
clumsiy."
81 am free to admit" said Clara, "that
we need assistance and advice, and that
we have not known to whom to look
for it,"
"Very well. 1t is a good thing, no
doubt, that / have come. Now, sit down
and tell me all about it," :.
Clara Merwin, who was the elder oi
the orphans, and the leader in every.
thing, told how she and her sister had
taken out letters of administration upon
their tather's estate, when man O.
whom they had never before heard put
in an appearance, and presented mort
cage, with bond included, executed b!
the late Mr.. Merwin, upon all his rea
estate, for the sum OF forty thousand dol
lars, Not content with prohibiting then
from attempting to sell any thing, lie hat
tied up their money in bank, leavin:
them absolutely penniless. They ha(
used their credit, but tradesmen wer,
becoming impatient, and some had re
fused to supply them any further with
"That is bad case," said Mr.. Pierce
"You need money-that Is the first thins
to be attended TO. You must let me &C
as your banker until / get you out OF thi
scrape, and that won't be long, l hope
How much do you oweW
sMore than one hundred dollars" an
swered Clara.
The old gentleman counted out tw,
hundred dollars from well-flled pocket
book, and handed 1t to her.
"For your mothers sake" he said
when she refused TO receive 1T, and b.
forced it upon her in such way tha
she could not help taking 1t. He thel
accepted the young ladies' invitation t
make their house his home during hi
stay, and went into dinner with them.
pIo Whorn Il
smoker" he asked, when they had re
turned to the sitting-room.
"You can smoke here" said the i'm
pulsiye Mary. "'Pa always smoke,
here, and we are used to it,"
So he took a meerschaum and som
tobacco from his valise, and was 500
putting away with an air of great con
tentment.
tI can think better when smoke" b
said. "Did you have any legal adyic
in the matter Of that mortgage, Mis-
Merwinw
ayes, sir" replied Clara. sour lawye
said that it was plain case against vi
never heard of the mortgage BEFORE"
every strange. What 10 the name {
the man who holds itW
"Alexander Campbell"
"Hum. A good name, but a bad mar
I am afraid. When and where can Sc
himW
0He will be here this afternoon,
answered Clara. "He proposes, II W
will make him deed Of the real estate
to give up the bond and mortgage, lea'
ing our money In bank and tie rest {
the personal properly"
"Very liberal. Introduce me to hi
when he comes, as an old friend Of th
family, and not as a lawyer"
Mir. Alexander Campbell called in th
course of the afternoon, and was mad
acquainted with Mr.. Abner Pierce, 1
whom he looked susplciously; but b.
ewes fell when he met the old gentle
mans intent and piercing gaze. d
Pierce glanced but slightly at the dee
that was offered for the conside
alton of the ladies, being occupied
studying the countenance Of the man
\ whose favor 1t was drawn.
81 can't de eide upon it just now,"
said, at last. "As the friend Of the,
young understanding, as may ga,
| In loco pdTentts-l must make few Il
oulries concerning the value of tn
property. Suppose you come up aft,
1 supper, Mr.. Cam mpbeli, and suppose "a
bring that mortgage with you. 1 hal
no doubt II 10 all correct. but would III
70 aee tE,V = r:;ri xauav<tse