The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1875-07-22


two hundred dollars from we'll fill
cd pocket-book, and handed it to
her.
"For your mothers sake" he said,
when she refused to receive it, and
he forced it upon her in such way
TINT she could not help taking il.
He then accepted the young ladies'
invitation to mako thoir house his
home during his stay, aud went in
to dinner with them
'Is there any place where I can
smoke7' he asked, when thcy had
returned to tho sitting room
"You can smoke here" said the
impulsive Mary. "pa always smok-
cd here, aud wo are used to it. -
So he took n mocrschaum and
some tobacco from his valisc, and
was soon putting away with an air of
great contontment.
81 can think bcttor when smoke.
he said. 'Did you have any legal
advice in the matter of that mort.
gage, Miss Morwinl
"Yes, 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 mort
gage before
Very strange. What is thcnamc
of the man who holds it -
"Aloxandcr Campbell"
Hum. A good name but n bal
man, am afraid. When and where
can l soc him p
"lle will he here this afternoon,
answered Clara. "Iloproposes If va
will make him a deed of the real es,
tate, to give up the bond and mort
gage, leaving the money in bank, and
the rest of the personal property"
Very liberal. Introduce me %
him when he comes, as an old friend
of the family, and not as lawyer
Mr.. Alexander Campbell called in
the course of the afternoon, and was
made acquainted with Abner Pierce
at whom he looked suspiciously but
his eyes fol- when he met the old
gentlcmans intent gaze. Mr. Pierce
glanced but slightly at the deed that
was offered for consideration of the
ladies', being occupied in studying
the countenance Of tho man in whose
favor it had been drawn.
II can't decide upon it Just now.
he said, mt last. "As n friend o
these young Understanding, as
may say, IN loco pventis-I must
make few inquiries concerning tn,
value Of this property. Suppose
you come after supper, Mr.. Camp
bell, and suppose you bring tha
mortgage with you. | have no doub
it is all correct, but would like t.
SEQ it,
Mr.. Campbell assontod to this an,
withdrew. Abner Pierce filled hi,
pipe with nervous haste, but also will
tobacco, and Mary brought him
light.
Il know that you have some gooC
news for us, she said, 81 can see j
i'll your face
Not bad, my child. | hope nn,
trust that it is very good \ goo,
namo, but n bad man, | sail, an,
that is true. | think | sec my wa,
out of this difficulty, and the mono,
that | lont you is safe. Bat yol
mustn't interfere with me, younl
ladies', or be surprised ut anything
may say or do, or object to it Yol
must trust me, and let me work il
my own way
After supper when Abner Pierce
had enjoyed another comfortable
smoke, and conversed with the girl
concerning their mother rs he had
known her in her youth--a subjcc
upon which he grew quite eloqucn
Alexander Campbell came in, bring
ing the deed and mortgage, both o
which he handed TO Mr.. Pierce 70
examination.
II have made inquiries concerning
the property said the old gentle
man, "and am satisfied that it is no
worth more than the amount of th'
mortgage and would probably bring
much less if sold ut foreclosure. You
offer is q liberal one; but / must lool
at the mortgage, This appears to b.
correct" he continued, when he hat
examined the instrument. 1T j
properly acknowledged, and th'
signature is undoubtedly that o
Philip Merwin. 1 suppose tho younl
ladies' will have to go to the count.
seat to execute the deed.
The girls countenance foil at thi'
sudden surrender on the part Of thei
champion.
"rhis reminds me- said the OLE
lawyer, picking up the mortgage
again, "of an occurrence that fell un
der my observation in Tennessee --
Not that the two cases are alike, n
tho Tennessee case was undoabtedl,
"a fraudulent affair; but there was
similarity in thecircumstances. DON
look 80 dishoartenod, young ladies
What will be must be, and it is use
less to cry about what cant be help
cd AS was about to say, maj
died in Tennessee, leaving a widow
and one daughter. Tho widow wa
about to administer upon his estate
, when man who was unknown cam
/ forward, and presented mortgag
similar to this, and for exactly tn
i same amount. II was examined b.
/, lawyers who were familiar with th
signature of tho deceased, and pro