The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-07-09
in studying the oOuntenance Of the

uo oulu, ~ lupt. Ao hiOu0 VI
these young ladies' standing, as /
may say, IL loco parenIis-I must
make few inquiries concerning the
value Of this property. Suppose you
come after supper, Mr.. Campbell,
and suppose you bring that mortgage
with you. l have no doubt it is all
correct, but would like to see it..
Mr.. Campbell assented to this, and
Withdrew. Abner Pierce filled his
pipe with nervous haste. but also
with tobacco, and Mary brought him
light.
II think that you have SOON good
news for us, she said; l can see it
in your face"
"Not bad, my child. I hope and
trust that it is very good. A good
name, but bad man, | said, and
that is true. l think l 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 any thing |
may say OF 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 had conversed with the
girls concerning their mother as he
had known her in her youth "a sub
ject upon which he grew quite elo-
uent--Alexander Campbell came in,
bringing the deed and mortgage, both
of which he handed to Mr.. Pierce for
examination.
81 have made inquiries concerning
the property" said the old gentle
man, "and am satisfied 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 liberal one; but must first
look at the mortgage. This appears
to be correct he continued, when
he had examined the instrument. ssIt
is properly acknowledged, and the
signature is undoubtedly that Of
Philip Merwin. suppose the young
ladies will have to go to the county seat
to execute the deed"
The girls countenances fell ut this
sudden surrender on thepart Of their
champion.
"This reminds me- said the old
lawyer, picking up the mortgage
again, "of an occurrence that fell un-
der my observation in Tennessee.
Not that the two cases are alike, as
the Tennessee case was undoubtedly
a fraudulent affair; but there is a
similarity in the circumstances, Don't
look so down-hearted, young ladies.
What will be must be, and it is use.
less to c;y about what can't be helped.
As was about to say, a man died in
Tennessee, leaving q widow and one
daughter. The widow was about to
administer upon his estate, when q
man who was unknown came forward
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 de
ceased and pronounced correct Al.
though there was something strange
about the affair, they could find nc
flaw in the instrument 1t was par
ticularly puzzling to one Of them,
who thought that he had transacted
all the law business of the deceased
He got hold OF the mortgage and
brought it to me when was in Nash
vile. happened to have in my
possession a very powerful magnify
ing glass that had been been pre-
sented to me--the most powerful
single lens | had ever seen Witt
this / examined the mortgage, anC
soon discovered that forty had beel
raised from four There was ns
mistake about it. | could easily Sc,
the marks of chemical erasure, anC
the difference in pen and ink, between
the raised and the rest of the in
strument. How the rascal got int
: 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 wortl
while to follow him. Strange circum
stance, wasn't it, Mr.. Campbell?"
Mr. Campbell tidgeted uneasily il
his chair, and made no reply.
"Here is the glass" continued tn,
old gentleman, taking it from hi
pocket" and you can sec for your
Y self how we'll it magnifes. Now, a
Q l look at this 'forty'--why, the SAM
: signs are visible that / saw in IN,
Q Tennessee mortgage. | think yoi
r will be Obliged to drop this. Mr.
Campbell. My Tennessee man
" name was Alexander Bell, and he ha
0 added a Camp to it since ho came I
Missouri.
e Campbell, his face as red as flame
reached out his hand for the do I
ment.
e Il believe will keep this, Nj
II OaWpDtl, iVi lcdl VI uSViuSAN1
/ What, do you think you could take
by force? Here is something Shf
." shoots FIVE times. Going, a:e you
i Very well; / don't think youwlli b
J, molested, If you will leave this pai
of the country and never return to j
IT 1t is barely possible that the estate
je Philip Merwin may really owe yo
-e four thousand dollars. II 50, | &C
/ viss you not to try and collect th
debt, as such an attempt would Ian
Ie youinthe penitenliary. Good-nigh
Mr. Campbell, and farewell" ["
"What is it? What does th
d meang asked Clara, as Mr. Pierc'
re rubbing his hands and smiling, bn
tied about to fill his pipe
. care you 50 dull, my cbildI VIII.
If the fellow is a swindler, and has bee
al found out ] Iguessed as much whe
i first heard Of tho affair, and WI
k sure Of it when you told me bis nam
D. You will soon be able to pay me n
two hundred dollars, aud then y