The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-06-18

sive Mary. ''Pa always smoked here, and
we are used to it's
So he took a meerschaum and some to-
bacco from his valise, and was soon puff
ing away with an air Of great contentment.
II can think better when l smoke" he
said. ''Did you have any legal advice in
the matter of that mortgage, Miss Mer-
win ?'
Eyes, SIR" replied Clara. ''Our lawyer
said that it was a plain case against us,
although it was strange that we had nsvsr
heard Of the mortgage before"
every strange. What is the name of
the man who holds it ?''
alexander Campbell
''Hum. A good name but a bad man,
I am afraid. When and where can l see
him %
''IIe will be here this afternoon ar
swered Clara. ''fIe proposes if we will
make him a deed of the real estate, to give
up the bond and mortgage, leaving uhr
money in bank and the rest of the personal
property
every liberal. Introduce me 20 him,
when he comes rs an old friend Of the fam
lily, and not as a lawyer"
MIR. Alexander Campbell called in the
course of the afternoon, and was made ac-
quainted 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 of the
ladies, being occupied in studying the
ccuntenance of the man in whose favor it
was drawn.
81 can't decide upon it just now" he
said, at last. CAS- friend of these Young
Understanding, as l may say, in loco pa
rentis-1 must make a few enquiries con-
corning the value of this property. Sup
pose you come after slipper, Mr.. Campbell;
and suppose you bring that mortgage with
you. have no doubt it is all correct, but
would like to see it,
Mr.. Campbell assented to this and with
drew. hbner Pierce filed his pipe with
nervous haste but also with tobacco, 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. I hope and tttlst
that it is very good. A good name, but a
bad man. said. and that is true. thin k
see my way out OF this difficulty, and the
money that | lent you is safe. But YOU
mustn't interfere with me, young ladies'; or
be surprised at anything may say or do,
or object to it. Yon must srust 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 their
mother as he had known her in her youth
"a subject upon which he grew quite elo-
quent-Alexander Campbell came in,
bringing the deed and mortgage, both of
which he handed TO Mr.. Pierce for exami-
nation.
81 have made inquiries concerning the
property" said the old gentleman, "and
| am satisfied that it is not worth more than
| the amount Of the mortgage, and would
probably bring much less if sold at fore
| closure. Your offer is a liberal one but I
must first look at the mortgage. This ap-
pears to be correct he continued, when
| lie had examined the instrument. "It is
properly acknowledged, and the signature
is undoubtedly that Of Philip Merwin. I
suppose the young ladies will have to 60 to
the county seat to execute the deed.'
The girls cointenanees fell at this sud
den surrender on the part of their cham
pion.
This reminds mel" said the old lawyer.
picking up the mortgage again, ''of an oc-
/ 'currence that fell under my observation in
Tennessee. Not that the two cases are
alike, as the Tennessee case was undoubt-
edly a fraudulent affair, but there was a
similarity in the circumstances. Don't
look so downhearted, young ladies. What
will be must be, and it is useless to cry
about to say. man died in Tennessee,
leaving a widow and one daughter. The
widow was about to administer upon his
estate, when man who was unknown
came forward, ard 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 business of the de-
ceased. He got hold of the mortgage and
brought it to me when / was in Nashville.
| happened to have in my possession a
very powerful magnifying- glass that had
beer presented to me-the most powerful
single lens | have ever seen. With this
examined the mortgage, and soon discov-
cred that forty had been raised from
four There was no mistake about it
could easily see the marks of chemical
erasure. aud the difference in pen and ink.
between the raised and the rest of the