The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-11-21

withdrew. Abner Pierce filed his pipe |
with nervous haste, but also with tobac-
co, and Mary brought him light.
81 know that you have some good |
news for us" she said. ST can see it in
your face"
Not bad, my child, I hope and trust
that it is very good. A good name but
bad man, said, and it is true. I think
see my way out of this difficulty, and
the money that I lent you is safe. But
you mustn't interfere with me, young
ladies. or object to it. You must trust
me and let me work it out 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 the
mortgage, both of which he handed to
Mr.. Pierce for examination.
ST 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, and
would probably bring much less if sold
at foreclosure. Your offer is a liberal
one; but must first look at the mort
gage. This appears to be correct" he
continued, when he examined the instru-
ment. SIT is all properly acknowledged
and the signature is undoubtedly that of
Philip Merwin. I suppose the young
ladies will go to the county seat to exc
cute the deed"
The girls countenances fell at this sud-
den surrender to execute the deed.
''This reminds me-" said the lawyer,
picking up the mortgage again, "of an
occurrence that fell under my observa-
ton in Tennessee, where friend of
mine died suddenly, leaving widow and
one daughter. The widow was about to
administer upon his estate, when man
unknown came forward and presented q
mortgage similar to this, and for exactly
the same amount. It was examined by
lawyers who were familiar with the sig
nature of the deceased and pronounced
it correct. Although there was some
thing strange about the affair, they could
| find no flaw in the instrument. 1t WAS
particularly puzzling to one of them who
thought he had transacted all the law
business 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
magnifying glass that had been presented
to me-the most powerful single lens 1
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 erasure,
and the difference in the pen and ink,
| between the raised and the rest of the
instrument. How the rascal got into the
Recorders 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. Very strange circumstance, wasn't
it, Mr.. Campbell?'
in his chair, and made no reply.
''Here is the glass" continued the old
gentleman, taking it from his pocket
''you can see yourself how well it magni-
fies. Now, as I look at this forty
why, bless me, the same signs are visible
that saw in the Tennessee mortgagel ]
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"
Camp bell, his face red as flame
reached out to take the document.
'sI believe will take this, Mr.. Camp
bell, for fear of accident. What, do
you think you can take it by force
| Here is something that shoots five times.
Going, are you? Very well, I don't
think you will be molested, if you will
leave this part of the country and never
return to it. It is barely possible that
the estate of Philip Merwin may really
owe you four thousand dollars. If so,
/ advise you not to try to collect the
debt, as such an attempt would land you
4 IN, 4tn ,.<xl~4 n
Campbell, and farewell"
''What is it? What does this mean p
asked Clara, as Mr.. Pierce, rubbing his
hands and smiling, bustled to fill his
pipe.
'sAre you dull, my child? The fellow
is a swindler, and has been found out
guessed as much when I first heard oi
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 a
light.
| Don't you mean to punish him p
asked Mary
''It wouldn't pay. We could put him
in the penitentiary, but you might lose
$4,000 by the job. By trying for forty
thousand he lost the four that may have
been Justly his due. He will be fan
from here by morning, I have no doubt
and good riddance to him. All! this is
comfortable. know that I feel better
and hope that you do
The girls were sure that great weight
had been lifted from their minds and
hearts. Alexander Campbell, alias Bell
decamped, and Abner Pierce stayed o
week with the orphans, during which
time he arranged all their affairs salts.
factorily, and won their lasting gratitude
and love-
How can we ever thank you for all
You have done for us, said Clara, when
he was about to leave.
'sIt was for your mothers sake, my
child. And for her sake, if I can ever
help you, all have is at your service
Abner Pierce has made visits to the
orphans frequently since the event above
narrated, and they have always had a
cordial welcome for tma's old beau"
j POISONING HER RELATIVES. Invest.
cations in Madison county seem to indi.
cate that Mrs. Francis Shrouder, of Chit
tenango, not only poisoned her mother,
Mrs. Lowery Barnard, but also Mrs.
Pope, aged eighty, who died in July,
i o,~l ,I<> .o1