South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-11-05

PdreHis-I must make few inquiries
concerning the value Of this property.
suppose you come after supper. Mr..
Campbell. and suppose you bring that
mortgage with you. I have no doubt it
10 all correct. but would like sec it.
Mr.. Campbell asseuted to this and
withdrew. Abner Pierce filed his pipe
with nervous haste, but also with tobac.
CO. and Mary brought her q light.
Il know that you have some good
news for u.s." she said. II can sec IL in
your face"
Not bad, my child. hope and trust
that it is very good. A good name, bu.
bad man, said, and thai is true. I
think 1 sec my way ont ofthis difficulty.
and the money that lent you is safe
But You mustn't Interfere with me, young
ladies. or be surprised ut anything may
say or do, or object to it. You must
trust me, and let me work i'm my own
way"
After supper when Abner Pierce had
enjoyed another comfort able smoke, and
conversed with the girls concerning their
mother as he had known her in youth
IA subject upon which he grew quite
eloqucnt-Alexander Campbell came in.
bringing the deed and mortgage, both
Of which he handed to Mr.. Pierce for
examination.
IL have made inquiries concerning the
property" said the old gentleman. land
am satisfied that it is not worth more
than the amount of the mortgage and
would probably bring much less if sold at
G,r n,
but j must first look ut the mortgage
This appears TO be correct" he continu-
ed, when he had examined the instru.
ment. ut is property acknowledged.
and the signature il undoubtedly that
of Philip Mcrwin. ] suppose the young
ladies' will have to go TO the county seat
to execute the deed
The girls couutenances fell ut this
sudden surrender on the part of their
champion.
This reminds me-" said the old law.
yer, picking up the mortgage again, "of
an occurrence that fell under my OBJ
servation in Tennessee. Not that the
two cases are alike, rs the Tennessee
case was undoubtedly fraudulent af.
fair; but there are n similarity in the
circumstances. Don't look 50 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 Tenne ssee. leav.
Ing widow and one daughter. The
widow was about TO administer upon his
estate, when a man unknown came for.
ward, and presented a mortgage similar
to this. and for exactly the same amount.
II was examined by lawyers who were
familiar with the signature Of the deceas.
ed. and pronounced correct. Although
there was something strange about the
affair, they could find no flaw i'm the in.
strument. 1t was particularly puzzing
to one of them, who thought that he had
transacted all the law business of the
deceased. He got hold Of the mortgage
and brought it to me when l was in
Nashville. l happened to have in my
possession very powerful magnfyiny
glass that had been presented to me
the most powerful single lens ever seen.
With this examined the m ortgaTe, and
soon discovered that forty hal been
raised from four There was no mis-.
take about it, | could easily see marks
OF chemical erasurc, and the difference in
pen and ink. between the raised and
the rest Of the instrument How the
rascal got into the Registers office. I
don't know; but the record there had
been altered in the same manner. 1Ic
ran away, and it was not cvnsiderel
worth while to follow him. Stran re cir
cumstancc. was it not. Mr.. Campbell?'
MIR. Campbell was fidgeting uneasily
in his chair, and made no reply.
''llere is the glass" continue the old
gentleman taking il from his pocket.
and you can see for yourself how we'll
1t magnifeS. Now, rs look atthis for
ty'-why bless me. the same signs are
visible that saw in my Tennessee
mortgage II think you will be obliged
to drop this. Mr.. Campbell. NV Ten.
nessce mans name was Alexander Bell
and he has added a Camp to it since he
came to- Missouri"
Campbell. his face red as flame. reach.
ed out his hand for the document.
81 believe will keep this, Mr.. Camp.
bell, for fear of accidents. What, do
you think you could take IL by force2
Here is something that shoots five times.
Z ''S'' - eN'S gpds cry wei, Il uOn tDlnk
You will be molested, ir you leave this
part Of the country and never return 90
il. II is barely possible that the estate
of Philip Merwn may really owe geu
four thousand dollars. If so, advise
You not TO try to collect the debt. rs
such an attempt would land you in the
pententiary. Good night, Sir. Camp.
bell, and farewell"
What is IL? what doc7 this mean?''
asked Clara, as Mr.. Pierce. rubbing his
hands and smiling. hustled about TO Gil
his pipe.
Are you so dull. nv child? Why.
the fellow is n swindleT. and has been
found out. ] guessed ~ much when I
first heard Of the affair and was sure OF
1t 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 n light"