The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-08-07

with nervous haste. but also with to-
bacco, and Mary brought him light.
81 know that you have some good
news for us, she said, 81 can see it in
your face"
"Not bad, my child. 1 hope and
trust that it is very good. A good
name, but q bad man, I said, and that
is true. I think I see my way out of
this difficulty, and the money that I
lent you is safe. But you mustn't inter-
fere with me, young ladies, or be sur
prised at anything I may say or do, or
object to it. You must trust me and
let me work in my own way"
After supper, when Abner Pierce had
enjoyed another comfortable smoke,
and conversed with the girls concerning
youth "a subject upon which he grew
quite eloquent Alexander Campbell
came in, bringing the deed and mort
gage. both of which he handed to Mr..
Pierce for examination.
81 have made inquiries concerning
the property" said the old gentleman,
s'and am satis fl ed that it is not worth
more than the amount of the mortgage,
and would probably bring much less if
sold at foreclosure. Your offer is lib
eral one but 1 must first look at the
mortgage. This appears TO be correct, !"
he continued, when he had examined
the instrument. "It is properly ac-
knowledged, and the signature is un-
doubtedly that of Philip Merwin. I
suppose the young ladies will have to
go to the county seat to execute the
deed"
The girls countenances fell at this sud-
den surrender on the part of their
champion.
'This reminds me-" said the old
lawyer, picking up the mortgage again,
'of an occurrence that fell under my
observation in Tennessee. Not that
the two cases are alike, as the Tennessee
but there were similarity of circum-
stances. Don't look so do@beartad
8g l40fes. What will be must be,
and it is useless to cry about what can't
be helped. As I was about to say, a
man died in Tennessee. leaving widow
and one daughter. The widow was
about to administer upon his estate,
when a man, who was known, came for
ward and presented a mortgage similar
to this, and for exactly the same amount.
1t was examined by lawyers who were
familiar with the signature of the
deceased, and pronounced correct. Al
though 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 he had transacted all the law bust
ness of the deceased. He got hold of
the mortgage and brought it to me when
was in Nashville. happened to have
In my possession a very powerful mag
nifying glass that nal been presented to
me-the most powerful single lepse
have ever seen. With this I examined
the mortgage and soon discovered that
forty had been raised from four
There was no mistake abous it. I could
easily see the marks of chemical erasure,
and the difference in pen and ink be.
tween 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
not considered worth while to follow
him. Strange circumstance, wasn't it,
Mr.. Campbell ?"
MIR. Campbell was hdgeting uneaslly
in his chair and made no reply.
Here is the glass;" continued the old
gentleman, taking it from his pocket,
"and you can see for yourself how we'll
it Eaagnifies. Now, as look at this
forty-why, bless me, the same signs
are visible that saw in my Tennessee
mortgagel I think you will bs obliged
to drop this, MIR. Campbell. My Ten
neseee mans name was Alexander Bell.
and he has added a camp to it since he
came to Missouri"
Campbell, his face as red as flame.
reached out his hand for the document,
II believe will keep this, Mr.. Camp
fnr fnaR 81
You think You could take it BY force /?
Here is something that shoots five
times. Going, are you? Very well, /
don't think you will be molested If Won
leave this part of the country and .ever
return to it. 1t Is barely possible that
the estate OF Philip Merwin may owe
four Thousand dollars. If so, advise
you not to try to collect the debt, as
such an attempt would land you in the
penitentiary. Goodnight, Mr.. Camp
bell, and farewell"
"What was it? What does this
mean?" asked Clara, as Mr.. Pierce.
rubbing his hands and smiling, hustled
about to fill the pipe.
Are You SO dull. my child? Why,
the fellow is a swindler, and has been
found out. I guessed as much when 1
heard OF the affair, and was sure of it
when You told me his name. You will
soon be able to pay me $500, and then
we will straighten up matters. Thank
you, Mary, you are very kind to give
Don't you mean to punish him ?"
asked Mary.
cit would hardly pay. We could
put him In the penitent1ary, but you
might lose four thousand dollars BY the
job. By trying for forty Thousand he
has lost the four that may have been
justly his. He will be far from here by
morning, I have no doubt, and good
radiance to him. All ! this is comforta-
BILE. I know that I feel better, and
I hope that you do"
The girls were sure that q great
weight had been lifted from their minds
and hearts. Alexander Campbell alias
Bell decamped, and Abner Pierce STAYED
week With the orphans, during which
time he arranged all their affairs salts
factorily. AM. won their lasting graft
tude and love.
How can we ever thank you for all
you have done for us?' said Clara, when
he was to leave.
1t was for your mothers sake, nv
child. And for her sake, if I can ever
he!P you, all have is at your service"
Abner Pierce has made visits to the
orphans frequently since the event mar.
rated, and they have always had cor.
dial welcome for mas old beau"
A Horse Tanners Horse.
PrObahIv M hnrca uoo ava, ~..~.