Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1875-06-24

with them. 2. 3Fg13 THE
"Is there any place where | can
smoke?" he asked, when they had
returned TO the sitting-room.
"You can smoke here,''' said
the impulsive Mary. 'Pa always
smoked here, and we are used to
it" q stl3tf&ffH IFsj 81
So he took a meerschaum and
some tobacco from his valise, and
was soon putting away with an
air of great contentment. ~
Il can think better when
smoke" be said. "Did you have
any legal advice in the matter of
that mortgage, Miss Merwin?D
eyes. sir, replied Clara. ''Our
lawyer said that it was a plain
case against us, although it was
strange that we had never heard
of the mortgage before tt
every strange. What is the
name of the man who holds it?''
"Alexander Campbell"
Hum. A good name, but a
bad man, l. am afraid. When
and where can | see him?"
"He wiIL tie here this after
noon" answered Clara. "He
proposes if we will make him a
deed of the real estate, to give up
the bond and mortgage, leaving
cur money in bank and the rest
Of the personal property"
every liberal. Introduce me
to him, when he comes, as an
old friend Of the family, and not
as alawyer.'''f T sze g gfs
Mr.. Alexander Campbell call
ed in the course Of the after
noon, and was made acquainted
with Abner Pierce, at whom he
looked suspiciously; but his
eyes fell when he met the old
gentleman's intent gaze. Mr..
Pierce glanced but slightly at
the deed that was offered for
the consideration ofthel ladies, be-
ing occupied in studying the
countenance of the man in
whose. favor it was drawn.
81 can't decide upon it just
now," he said, at last. GAS a
friend Of these young ladies'
standing as l may say, IN loco
parentis-I must make a few
enquiries concerning the value
of this property. Suppose you
come after supper, .Mr. Camp
bell, and suppose you bring
that mortgage With you. l
have.no doubt it is all correct,
but would like to see it. ;"
Dir. Campbell aSsented to this
and withdrew. Abner Pierce
filed his pipe with nervous
haste but also with tobacc o,
and Mary brought him a light.
II know that you have some
good news for us" ''I can see
it in your face"
mot bad, my child. l hope
and trust that it is.very good.
A good name, but a bad man,
l said and that is true. 7 think
l sec my way out Of the diff
Guilty, and the money that l
lent you is safe. But you
mustn't interfere with me, young,
ladies, or be surprised at any
thing | must say or do, or OBJ
iect to it. You must trust me,
and let me work in my own
way"
After supper, when A,bner
Pierce had enjoyed another
comfortable, smoke, and con-
versed with the girls concern
ilg their mother as he had
known her in her youth-a sub
ject upon which he grew quite
eloquent-Alexander Campbell
came in, bringing the deed and
mortgage, both of which he
handed to Mr.. Pierce for exami-
nation.
81 have made enquiries con-
corning the property" said the
old gentleman, "and am salts
fed that it is not worth more
than the amount of the mort
gage, and would probably bring
much less if sold at foreclosure.
Your offer is a liberal one;
but L must first look at the,
mortgage. This appears to be
correct" he continued, when he
had examined the instrument.
ct is properly acknowledged,
and the signature is sundoubted-
ly that of Philip Merwin. | sup
pose the young ladies will have
to go to the county seat to ex-
ecute the deed"
The girls countenances fell
at this sudden surrender on
the part Of their champion. gl
"This reminds me-" said the
old lawyer, picking up the mort
~ape. Isof an occurrence that