Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-02-21
Vol. XIV. Whole No. 1855. No, 5,

| ''"N 'u' MO SNtN anu went IN 10 t1in =
ner with them.
"ls there any place where | can smoker
he asked. when they had returned 10 the
sitting room.
You can smoke here" said the mpul-
sive Mary. ''Pa always smoked here. and
We are used to it,"
so he took meerschaum and some to-
oacco from his valise, aud was soon puff
ing away with an air of great content
mene
II can think better when I smoke" he
said. Did yon have any legal advice in
the matter OF that mortgage, Miss Mer-
win2'
Yes, SIR" replied Clara. "Our LAWYER
said that it was plain case against us.
although it wss strange that we had never
heard Of the mortgage before"
VERY strange. What is the name of
the man who holds it?''
Alexander Campbell"
Il Hum. good name, but a bad man. [
AN afraid. When and where can | see
him7'
''IIe will be here this afternoon an
swered Clara. He proposes if we will
make him deed of the real estate, to give
up the bond and mortgage. leaving our
money In bank and the rest of our person.
al property"
! Niy iulE me 10 MN,
when he comes, as an old friend of the
family, and not as LAWYER"
Mr.. Alexander Campbell called in the
course of the afternoon. and was made ac-
qnainted with Mr.. Abner Pierce, at whom
ne looked susptciously; but his eyes fell
when he met the old gentleman's intent
gaze. Mr.. Pierce glanced but slightly at
the deed which was offered for the cor.
slderasion OF the ladies, being occupied in
| studying the cnuntenance of the man in
whose favor 1t was drawn
II cant decide upon it Just now" he
said at last. AS friend OF these Young
| Understanding, as l may say, tn loco
pdreRtls,-l must make a few INQUIRIES con-
cerning the value of this property. Sup
pose you come after supper, MIR. 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. Abner Pierce filled his pipe with
| nervous haste. but also with tobacco and
Mary brought him a light
| ~ know that you have some good news
for us she said, Il can see it In YOUR
| face"
Not bad. my child. I hope and trust
that 1t Is very good. A good name, but a
bad man, said, and that ia true. think
! "
money lent you is safe. But you mustn't
Interfere with me, young ladies, or be sur
| prised at anything that | may say or do.
or object to 1t. You must trust me, and
/ let me work In nv own way"
| After supper, when Abper 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, Campbell came In,
bringing the deed aud mortgage, both of
which be handed to Mr.. Pierce for exam-
| nation.
II have made Inquiries CONCERNING the
| property, said the old gentleman. ..aud
an satisfied that it is not worth more than
the amount of the mortgage. This ap-
pears To be correct" he continued when
he had examined the instrument at is
properly acknowledged, and the xipnatilr,.
IS undoubtedly that of Philip Marvin.
suppose the young ladies will have to 90
TO the county seat to execute the Iced
The girls c0untcnances fell at this sud
den surrender on the part OF their cham
picking up the mortgage again, ''ot an oc-
currence thar fell under my observance in
Tennessee. Not that the two cases are
alike, as the Tennessee case was uudouht-
ediy fraudulent affair; but there i sim
iiarity in the circumstances. Don't look
so downhearted, young ladies'. What will
be must be, and it is useless to cry about
what can't be helped. As | was about to
say, man died in Tennessee, leaving
widow and one daughter. The widow was
about TO administer upon his estate. when
a man who was unknown came forward
and presented q mortgage similar to this
and for exactly the same amount. II was
examined by lawyers 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 Instrument. II was particularly
puzzling 10 one of them, who thought than
he had transacted all the law business of
the deceased He got hold Of the mort
gage and brought it to ne when | was in
Nashville. ! happened to have In INV pos
session very powerful magutying glass
that had been presented to me-the most
powerful single lens, | have ever seen.
With this examined the paper, and soon
discovered that forty had been raised from
four. There was no mistake about il, |
could easily see the marks of chemical era
sure, and the difference in pen and ink
between the raised and the rest of the in-
strument. How the rascal got into the
Registers office don't know; but the rec.
ord 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 lidgeting uneasily in
his chair and made no reply
Here is the glass" continued the old
gentleman, taking it from his pocket, "and
you can see for yourself how well it mag
nifies. Now, as | look at this forty. :
why, bless me, the same signs are visible
: h..t I in I
think YOU will be obliged to drop this Mr..
Campbell My Tennessee mans name
was Alexander Bell. and he has added
camp to it since he came to Missouri"
Campbell, his face red as fame, reached
out his hand for the document.
Il believe will keep this. Mr. Campbell.
tor fear of accidents. What. do you think
you could take it by force2 Here is some
thing that shoots five times. Going, are
you? Very we'll, don't think you will be
molested, if you will leave this part of the
country and never return TO it, 1t is bare
ly possible that the estate of Philip Merwin
may really owe you four thousand dollars.
Ii so, advise you not TO try TO collect the
debt, as such an attempt would land YOU in
the penitentiay. Good night, Mr.. Camp
bell, and farewell"
What Is 1t? What does this mean?''
asked Clara, as Mr.. Pierce, rubbing his
hands and smiling hustled about to fill his
pipe.
Are you so dull, my child? Why, the
fellow is swindler, and has been found
out. l 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 two hundred and then we
will straighten up matters. Thank you.
Mary. you are very kind to give me a light.
Don't you mean to punish him ?" asked
Mary.
at would hardly pay. We could put him
in the penltentiary. but you might lose four
thousand dollars by the job. BY trying for
forty thousand he has lost the four that
may have been justly his due. He will be
Tar from here by morning. have no doubt
and good riddance to him. Ah this is com
Portable. | know that feel better, and
hope that you do.
The girls were sure that a great weight
had been lifted from their minds and hearts,
Alexander Camp, alias Bell, decamped,
and Abner Pierce stayed week with the
orDhans. durino which time he ARRANGED