The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1875-06-23
.ltbough a lawyer, aud I. mean we'll,
4lthough I may express myself olum.

i hsoouSu A""yoSt ouS -. thoou WSt
.lthough 1 may express myself olum'
| silly. n =. -, .
III am free to admit" said Clara
'sthat We need assistance and advice
and that we have no. known to
whom to look for it," 49,. .4t-
"Very we'll. It's a good thing
no doubt that I have come. Now,
sit down and tel me about it,"
Clara Merwiu, who was the elder
Of the orphans and the leader in
everything, told how she and her sis
ter had taken out letters of admins
tration upon their fathers estate,
when nan Of whom they liad never
before heard put in an appearance
and presented mortgage, with bond
included, executed by the late Mr.
Merwin. upon all his real estate, for
the sum Of forty thousand dollars.
Not content with prohibiting them
from attempting to sell anything, he
bad tied up their money in the bank
leaving them absolutely pennies 8
They had used their credit, but
tradesnen were beooming impatient,
and some had refused to some had
refused to supply them any further
without pay. ....
"That is a bad case," said Mr.
Pierce. "You need money, thut il
the first thing to be attended TO-
You must let me act as your banker
until l get you out of this scrape and
that won't be long, / hope. How
much do you owe Z"
"More than one thousand dollars,'
answ cred Clara. ....... ...
The old gentleman counted out
two hundred dollars from we'll fill.
ed 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
that che could not help taking it,
Flo then accepted the young ladies'
invitation to make their house his
home during his stay, and went to
dinner with them.
"Is there any place where I can
smoke r. he asked, when they had
returned to the sitting room.
"You can smoke here" said the
impulsive Mary. "Pa always smoked
here, and we arc used to it,"
So he took.a meerschaum and some
tobacco from his valise, and was
soon pufiog away with an air of
great contentmont.
"I can think better when I smoke, !
he said. "Did you have any legal
advice in the matter of that mort.
gage, Miss Merwin -
eyes, sir" replied Clara. "Our
lawyer said that it was plain case
against us, although it was strange
that we had never heard of the
| mortage before"
n"Very strange. What is the name
of the man who holds it !"
civilian Campbell" -...
"Hum. 4 good name, but @ bad
man, am afraid. When and where
can see him -
! "He will be here this afternoon
answered Clara. "He proposes, il
we will make him deed Of the real
estate, to give up the bond and mort.
gage, leaving our money in, the bank
aud the rest Of the personal proper
ty."
"very liberal. Introduce mo to
him when oomes, as al old friend of
the family, and not as lawyer"
Mr.. 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 geutleman's g
intent and piercing gaze. Mr..
Pierce glanced but slightly at the
deed that was offered for the copsid =
Grafton of the ladies, being occupied
in studying the oountenancc of the
man in whose favor it was drawn.
81 can't decide upon it, just now,''
he said at last. GAS the friend of
these young Understanding, as
may, in loco parsntis-I must make a
few inquiries concerning tho value OF
this property. Suppose you come up
after supper, Mr.. Campbell and bring
that mortgage with you. have nc
doubt it is all correct, but would like
to soc it,
Mr.. Campbell assented to this,
and withdrew. Abner Pierce illed
his pipe with nervous heste, but also
with tobacco, and Mary brought him
light.
III know that you hsve some good
! news for u.s." she said. II can see i,
in your face." -.'..
"Not bad, my child. Ihope and
trust that it Is very good. 4 good
name, but bad man, I said, and
that is true. Think I SEQ my way
out Of this difficulty, aud the money J
lent you is safe. But you musn't
Interfere with me, young ladies or be
surprised at anything / may say or d.
or object to it. You must trust me,
and let me work in my own way"
After supper, whom Abner Pierce
had enjoyed another comfortable
smoke, aud had uonversed with the
lgirls concerning their mother as ht
had known her 10 her youth--.-a sub.
jeot upon whioh ho grew very eloquent
William Campbell came In, bring
ing the deed and the mortgage, bott
of, which he handed to Mr.. Pieroe fo,