The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1879-11-22
MAS OLD BEAU.

orphans, were in the drawing room OF
heir pleasant home on the edge OF
village near the Missouri.
Their mother had been dead several
years. Their father had lately died,
eaying them an estate, as they supposed, |
If the value of some forty thousand dol |
ars, but they had learned quite recently |
hat the property was encountered to
such an extent that they were very |
likely to be deprived of it all. This |
discovery, as may be supposed, filed |
them with sadness and anxiety, and they !
sere seated in silence, unable to read, to |
to work, to do anything but
brood over their great misfortune.
While they were thus occupied with
their thoughts buggy drove up in front
Of the house, q man alighted, and the
buggy drove away.
The man must have been on the shady
side of fifty, to judge from his gray hairs,
although his face was indeed fresh and
He was dressed with re-
neatness, and his manner indi-
Gated briskness as we'll as precision. In
one hand he carried q small yalise and
in the other an umbrella, and he stepped
quickly to the door and rang the bell.
In few minutes he was ushered into
the presence of the young ladies.
''I'm obliged to introduce myself" he
said, smiling and bowing in courtly
manner. "Abner Pierce. Here is my
card professional card. You will per-
ceive that I am lawyer in st. Louis,
and presumably respectable man.
Don't be afraid; I'm not here to hurt
you, but to help you. I have the honor
to call myself friend of the family
that is to say, although it is many years
since have seen any member of your
family, have always had the highest re-
gard for your now sainted mother, and
nothing would please me better than to
be of some service to her children"
ssWe are happy to meet you," mur-
INJURED Clara.
'tThank You. happened to hear-no
matter how-that you are in trouble, and
have come up here in the belief that I
can assist you. / hope that you will feel
that you can trust me. am actually an
honest man, although lawyer, and
mean we'll, though ! express myself
clumsily."
81 am free to admit, said Clara, 'sthat
we need assistance and advice, and that
we have not known to whom to look
for il. J"
every we'll. It is good thing, no
doubt, that have come. Now sit down
and tell me all about it.
Clara Merwin, who, as the elder of the
orphans was leader in everything, told
how she and her sister had taken out let
ters Of administration upon her fathers
estate, when o man of whom they had
bafora ], or1,
and presented mortgage, with bond in
cluded, executed by the late Mr.. Merwin,
upon all his real estate, for the sum of
$40, 600. Not content with prohibiting
them from attempting to sell everything,
he had tied up their money in bank,
leaving them absolutely penniless. They
were becoming impatient, and some had
refused to supply them any further with
out pay.
"That's bad case" said Mr.. Pierce.
'You need money-that is the first thing
| to be attended to. You must let me act
as your banker until I get you out of this
serape, and that won't be long, hope.
How much do you owe"
"More than one hundred dollars" an
swered Clara.
The old gentleman counted out two
hundred dollars from well-filled pocket
book, and handed it to her.
"For your mothers sake" he said,
when she refused to receive it, and he
forced it on her in such way that she
could not help taking it. He then ac-
cepted the young lady's invitation to
make their house his home during his
stay, and he went into dinner with them.
Is there any place where / can
smoker" he asked, when they returned to
| the sitting
s'You can smoke here" said the impul.
sive Mary. PA always smoked here,
and we are used to it.
| So he took meerschaum and some to.
bacco from his yalise, and was soon puff.
ing away with an air of great content.
II can think better when ! smoke,
he said. ibid you ever have any Legal
advice in the matter of that mortgage
Miss Merwin?"
"Yes, sir" replied Clara. "Our law
yer said it was plain case against us
although it was strange that we never
heard of the mortgage before"
''Very strange What is the name O.
the man who holds it?"
Alexander Campbell
"Hum. A good name, but bad man
I am afraid. When and where can SET
this MANI"
sHe will be here this afternoon" an
swered Clara. He proposes, if we viii
make him a deed of the real estate, Il
give up the bond and mortgage, leaving
our money in banks and the rest of th,
personal property"
Every liberal. Introduce me to hin
when he comes, as an old friend Of th'
family, and not as lawyer"
Mr.. Alexander Campbell called in thu
course of the afternoon, and was made
acquainted with Abner Pierce, at whom
he looked suspiciously; but his eyes fel
when he met the old gentleman's inten
gaze. Mr.. Pierce glanced but slightl,
at the deed that was offered for the con
sideration of the ladies, being occupied
in studying the countenance OF the maj
in whose favor it was drawn.
''I can't decide upon it just now" h'
said at last. "As a friend of these Ian
dies-standing, as may say, IN loco pa
yeatis-I must make few inquiries con
cerning the value of this property. Sup
pose you come after supper, Mr.. Camp
bell, and suppose you bring that mort
gage with YOU / have no doubt it is al
correct, but would like to see it.
Mr.. Campbell assented to this ant
withdrew. Abner Pierce filed his pip,
with nervous haste, but also with tobae
co, and Mary brought him light.
IT know that you have some goot
news for us, she said. 81 can see it il
your face"
''Not bad, my child, hope and trus
that it is very good. A good name but
bad man, I said, and it is true. I thinl
see nay way ont of this difficulty, ant
the money that lent you is safe. Blu
You mustn't interfere with me, youni
ladies', or object to it, You must trus
me and let me work it ont my own way.
After supper, when Abner Pierce hat
enjoyed another comfortable pipe, AM
conversed with the girls concerning thei
mother, as he had known her in he
youths subject upon which he grey
quite eloquent-Mr. Alexander Camp
bell came in, bringing the deed and tn
mortgage, both of which he handed q
Mr.. Pierce for examination.
81 have made inquiries concerning tn
property" said the old gentleman, .ans
am satisfied that it is not worth NOR
than the amount of the mortgage, ant
would probably bring much less il sols
at foreclosure. Your offer is ibera
one; but must first look at the mort
gage. This appears to be correct" h
continued, when he examined the instru
ment. 1T is all properly acknowledge
and the signature is undoubtedly that o
Philip Merwin. I supDose the yOtlnt