Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-05-15
man, am afraid. When and where

can see nm
"He will be here this afternoon"
answered Clara. He proposes, if we
will make him a deed of the real estate,
to give up the bond and mortgage, leav-
ing our money in bank and the rest of
our personal property"
every liberal. Introduce me to him
when he comes, as an old friend of the
family, and not as a lawyer"
Mr.. Alexander Campbell called in the
course of the afternoon, and was made
acquainted with Mr.. Abner Pierce, at
whom he looked suspiciously; but his
eyes fell when he met the old gentle
mans intense gaze. Mr.. Pierce glanced
but slightly at the deed which was Of
fered for the consideration of the ladies,
being occupied in studying the count
enance of the man in whose favor it
was drawn. ... .............. =.
"I can't decide upon it lust now"
he said at last. AS s. friend of these
young ladies' standing, as Imay say: in
loco pare,,tis,-I must make a few in
quiries concerning the value of the
property. Suppose you come after
supper, Mr.. Campbell, and suppose you
bring that m mortgage with you. I 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 tobac-
CO, and Mary brought him light.
I know that you have some good
news for u.s." she said. II can see it in
your face"
"Not bad, my child I hope and trust
that it is very good. A good name, but
a bad man, I said, and that is true. I
think see my way out of this difficulty,
and the money l lent you is safe. But
you mustn't interfere with me young
ladies, or be surprised at anything that
l 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 smoke, and
conversed with the girls concerning their
mother as he had known her in her
youth,-a subject upon which he grew
quite OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Campbell
came in, bringing the deed and mortg-
age, both of which he handed to Mr..
Pierce for examination.
~ 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 contin-
ued. when he had examined the instru-
ment. 1T is properly acknowledged,
and the signature is undoubtedly that
of Philip Merwin. Isuppose the young
ladies will have to go to the country
seat to execute the deed"
The girls countenances fell at this
sudden surrender on the part of their
chamoion
This reminds me-" said the old law
yer, picking up the mortgage again, "of
an occurrence that fell under my OBJ
servance in Tennessee. Not that the
two cases are alike, as the Tennessee
case was undoubtedly fraudulent af-
fair; but there is a similarity in the cir
cumstances. Don't look SO down-heart-
ed, young ladies' What will be must
be, and it is useless to cry about what
can't be helped. AS Twas about to say,
a man died in Tennessee, leaving a Wild
ow and one daughter. The widow was
about to administer upon his estate,
when a man vino was unknown came
forward and presented a mortgage SIM
liar to this, and for exactly the same
amount. 1t was examined 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 instrument. It was particularly
puzzling to one of them, who thought
that he had transacted all the law bust
ness of the deceased. He got hold of
the mortgage and brought it to me when
was in Nashville. I happened to have
in my possession very powerful mag
nifying glass that had been presented
to me-the most powerful single lens I
have ever seen. With this [ examined
the paper, and soon discovered that
forty had been raised from four. There
was no mistake about it. could easily
see the marks Of chemical erasure, and
the difference in pen and ink, between
the raised and the rest of the instru-
ment. How the rascal got into the
Registers office [ don't know; but the
record there had been altered IN the
same manner He ran away, and it
WAS llOL COlISlOC1Su WI I'LL Willie w lOIlOW
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,
and you can see for yourself how we'll
it magnifes. Now, as I look at this
'forty'-why bless me the same signs are
visible that 1 saw in my Tennessee mort
gage! think you will be obliged to drop
this, Mr.. Campbell. My Tennessee
mans name was Alexander Bell, and he
has added a Camp to it since he came
to Missouri"
Campbell, his face red as flame,
reached out his hand for the docu-
ment"
81 believe will keep this, Mr.. Camp
bell, for fear of accidents. What, do