Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-02-23

IN loco pdrentis-I must make a few in
quiries concerning the value of this
property. Suppose you come after
supper, 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
withdrew. Abner Pierce filled his pipe
with nervous haste, but also with to-
bacco, and Mary brought him a light.
81 know that you have some good
news for u.s." she said. 81 can see it in
your face"
g" Not bad, my child A good name,
but bad man, I said, and that is true.
I think I see my way out of this diff
Guilty, and the money that [ lent you is
safe But you mustn't interfere with
me, young ladies, or be surprised a
anything 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 pipe, and
conversed with the girls concerning their
mother as he had known her in her
youth-a subject upon which he grew
quite eloquent-Mr. Alexander Camp
bell came in bringing the deed and
mortgage, both of which he handed to
Mr.. Pierce for examination.
"I 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.
This appears to be correct" he con-
tinued, when he had examined the in
strument. "It is all properly acknowl-
that of Philip Merwin, l suppose the
young ladies will have to go to the coun-
ty seat to execute the deed"
The girls countenance fell at this
sudden surrender on the part of their
champion.
"This reminds me-" said the lawyer,
picking up the mortgage again, of an
occurrence that fell under my observa-
ton in Tennessee. Not that the two
cases are alike, as the Tennessee case
was undoubtedly fraudulent, affair;
but there was similarity in the cir
cumstances. Don't look so down
hearted, young ladies. What Will be
must be, and it is useless to cry about
what can't be helped. AS [ was about
to say, a man died in Tennessee, leav-
ing a widow and one daughter. The
widow was about to administer upon
his estate, when a man who was I'M
known came forward, and presented
mortgage similar to this, and for ex-
actly the same amount. It was exam
ined by lawyers who were familiar
with the signature of the deceased, and
pronounced correct. Although there
was something strange about the affair,
they could find no flaw in the instru-
ment. 1t was particularly pulling to
one Of them, who thought he had
transacted all the law business of the
deceased He got hold of the mort
gage and brought it to me when was
in Nashville. happened to have in
my possession very powerful magni-
flying glass that had been presented to
me-the most powerful single lens [
had ever seen. With this / examined
the mortgage, and soon discovered that
forty had been raised from four
There was no mistake about it. [ could
easily see the marks of chemical era
sure, and the difference in pen and ink,
between the raised and the rest of the
instrument. How the rascal got into
the Register 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?''
Mr.. Campbell was fdgeting uneasily
in his chair, and made no reply.
Here is the glass;" continued the
old gentleman, taking it from his
pocket; "you can see for yourself how
it magnifes. Now, as | look at this
forty, why bless me, the same signs
are visible that / saw IN the Tennessee
mortgage ! I think you will be obliged
to drop this, Mr. Campbell. My Ten
nessee mans name was Alexander Bell,
and he has added a Camp to it since
he came to Missouri
Campbell, his face red as fame,
reached out his hand for the document.
81 believe l will keep this, for fear
of accident. What, do you think you
could take it by force? Here is some
thing that shoots five times. Going,
are you? Very well, [ don't think you
will be molested, if you will leave this
part Of the country and never return
to it. It is possible that the estate of
Philip Merwin may really owe you
$4,000. IF so, [ advise you not to try
to collect the debt, as such an attempt
would land you in the penitentiary.
Good night, Mr.. Campbell, and fare
WE'LL
What is it? What does this mean?"
asked Clara, as Mr.. Pierce, rubbing his
hands and smiling, hustled to fill his
pipe.
care you so dull, my child? Why,
the fellow is swindler, and has been
found out. [ guessed as much when [
first heard of the affair, and was sure
of it when you told me his name.
You will soon be able to pay me my
5000, and then we will straighten up
matters. Thank you, Mary, you are
very kind to give me light.
"Don't you mean to punish him? ="
asked Mary"
oft would hardly nav. We could mt