The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-10-09
Select Storp.
MAS OLD BEAU.

IILA - <141 D-Nh -
The recent revelations concerning deed
forgeries at criminal trial at Chicago,
remind me Of an incident that occurred a
few years ago, in the vicinity Of st. Louis,
which seems TO me to be worth relating.
Clara and Mary Merwin, sisters and
orphans, were in the sitting room of their
pleasant home on the edge Of village
near the Missouri Their mother had
been dead several years; their father had
lately died, leaving them an estate, as they
supposed, Of the value Of some forty thou
sand dollars, but they had learned quite
recently that the property was eneumbered
to such an extent that they were likely to
be deprived Of it all This discovery, as
it may be supposed, filed them with sad.
ness aud anxiety, and they were seated in
silence, unable to read, to converse, to
work, to do anything but brood over their
great misfortune.
While they were thus occupied with
sombre thoughts, buggy drove up in
front Of the house, man alighted, and
the buggy drove away.
The man must have been on the shady
side of fifty to judge from his grey hairs,
although his face was fresh and unwrink-
led. He was dressed with remarkable
neatness and his manners indicated brisk
ness as well us precision. In one hand he
carried a small yalise, aud in the other
an umbrella, as he stepped quickly to the
door and rang the bell. In few minutes
he was ushored into the presence Of the
young ladies.
"Tm obliged to introduce myself, he
said, smiling aud bowing in country
manner-"Abner Pierce Here is my
card--professional card. You will per-
ceivc l am lawyer in st. Louis and pre-
sumably a respectable man, Don't be
afraid | am not here to hurt you, but
to help you. have the honor to cali
myself friend Of your family-that is tc
say, although it is many years since | have
seen any member Of said family. Ialways
had the highest possible regard for your
now sainted mother, and nothing would
please me better than to be Of some ser.
vice to her children"
ave are happy to meet you" murmur-
ed Clara.
Thank you. | happened to hear
no matter how--that you are in trouble,
and have come up here in the belief that
! can assist you. | hope you will feel
that you can trust me, | am actually an
honest man, although lawyer, and I
mean well, although / may express myself
clumsily."
al am free to admit" said Clarn, "that
Nc need assistance and advice, and that
se have not known to whom to look for II.
Very well. II is good thing, no
'loubt, that have come. Now, sit down,
and tell me all about il.
Clara Merwin, who was the elder of the
orphans, and leader in everything, told
how she and her sister had taken out let
hers Of administration upon their fathers
Estate, when man Of whom they had
never before heard put in an appearance,
md presented mortgage, with bond in.
cluded, executed by the late Mr.. Merwin,
npon all his real estate, for the sum Of
forty thousand dollars. Not content with
prohibiting them from an attempt to sell
Anything, he had tied up their money in
bank, leaving them absolutely penniless.
They had used their credit, but tradesmen
Fere becoming inpatient, and some had
Fefused to supply them any further with
put pay.
"This is bad case" said Mr. Pierce.
You need money--this is the first thing
. attend to- You must let me act as your
banker, until get you out Of this scrape,
ind that won't be long, hope. How
nuch do you owe r.
"More than one hundred dollars an
wered Clara.
The old gentleman counted out two
hundred dollars from well filed pocket
book, aud handed it to her.
For your mothers sake he said,
shen she refused to receive, and he forced
upon her in such a way that she could
ot help taking il. He then accepted the
oung ladys invitation to maketheir house
s home during his stay, and went into
inner with them.
Is thereany place whore ! can smoke2"