Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-05-17

she could not help taking it. He then
accepted the Young Ady's invitation to
make their house his home during his
stay. and went in to dinner with them.
Ia there any place where | can
smoke he asked when they had re-
turned to the sitting-mom.
You can smoke here, said the inn
pulsivc Mary. PA always smoked
here, and We are used to it.
SO lie took meerchaum and some
tobacco from his valise, ana was soon
putting away with an mir Of great CON
tent.
Il can think better when | smoke, ("
he said. ''Did YOU have any legal ad-
vice in the matterofthat mortgage Miss
! Merwin?"
Yes sir, replied Clara. "Our lawyer
said it was plain ease against lis, al
though it was strange that we had never
heard Of the mortgages before"
~ cry strange. What is the cname of
the mar who holds it,
Alexander Campbell"
Hum. A good name, but bad
man, am afraid. When and where
can see him?'
He will be here this afternoon"
answered Clara. He proposes, if We
will make him decd ofthe real estate,
to give UP the bond and mortgage, leay-
ing our money i'll bank and the rest Of
our personal property
Very liberal. Introduce me to him
when he comes, rs an old friend of the
family, and not MS Il lawyer
A. y I,.>l Ill Al ~,
course of the afternoon, and was made
acquainted with Mr.. Abner Pierce, at
whom he looked suspieiously; but his
eyes fell when he met the old gentle
mans intense gaze. Mr.. Pierce glanced
but slightly 1T the deed which was Of
ferod for the consideration of the ladies,
being occupied in studying the count
cnance Of the man in whose favor il
was drawn.
~ can't decide upon it Just now, >"
he said Mt last. As friend of these
young Understanding, as may say. IN
loco pdremis-I must make few in
quiries concerning the value of the
property Suppose you come after
supper, Mr. Campbell, and suppose you
bring that mortgage with you. | have
no doubt ii is all correct, but would like
to see it.
Mr. Campbell asscnted to this and
withdrew Abncr Pierce filled his pipe
with nervous haste, but also with tobae-
co, and Mary brought him Il light.
:" know that You have some good
news for us," she said :" can see il III
your face"
Not bad, my child | hope and trust
that it is very good. A good name, but
bad man, said, and that is true. /
think Isee my way out Of this difficulty,
and the money | lent you is safe. But
YOU mustn't interfere with me young
ladies, or be surprised at anything that
may say OF do, or object to it, You
must trust me, and let me work III my
own way
After supper, when Abner Pierce had
enjoycd another comfortable smoke, and
conversed with the girls concerning their
mother rs he had known her in her
youth, Ia subject upon which he grew
quite eloquent, nt,-Alexandc Campbell
came in, bringing the decd and mortg-
age, both of which he handed to Mr..
Pierce for examination.
II have made inquiries concerning
the property Y 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 contln-
ued. when he had examined the instru-
ment. ct is properly acknowledged,
and the signature j. undoubtedly that
Of Philip Merwin. suppose the young
ladies will have to 90 to the country
seat to execute the deed.
The girls countenances fell ut this
sudden surrender on the part Of their
chamoion.
This reminds re, 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-hcart-
ed, 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 wild
ow and one daughter. The widow was
about to dminister upon his estate,
when man VINO was unknown came
forward and presented 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.
4 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 i 70 me when
was in Nashville. happened 10 have