Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-03-24

Hum. A good name, but a bad
man, | am afraid. when and where
can see him?"
He will be here this afternoon an
swered Clara. "He proposes, II we
will make him deed of the real es-
tate, to give up the bond and mortgage,
leaving our money in the bank and the
rest of the personal property
Very liberal. Introduce me to him
when he comes. as an old friend of the
family, and not as a lawyer"
Alexander Campbell called in the
course of the afternoon, and was made
acquainted with Abner Pierce, at whom
he looked suspiciously, but his eyes fell
lwhen he met the piercing gaze. Mr..
Pierce glanced but slightly at the deed
that was offered for the consideration
of the ladies, being occupied in study
ing the countenance of the man in
whose favor II was drawn.
IL cant decide upon 1t, Just now" he
said, at last, "As the friend Of these
young Understanding, as I may say,
in loco parentis-l must make few
Inquiries concerning the value Of this
property. Suppose you come up after
supper, Mr.. Campbell, and suppose you
bring that mortgage with you. | have
no doubt 1t is all correct, but would
like to see it,
Mr.. Campbell assented to this, and
withdrew. Abner Pierce filed his Pipe
with nervous haste, but also with to-
bacco, and Mary brought him a light.
81 know that you have some good
news for u.s." she said. Il can see 1t
In your face"
Not bad, my child. hope and trust
that It is very good. A good name, but
q bad man, | said and | said what is
true. | think l see my way out of this
. difficulty and the money that lent you
Is safe. But you mustn't interfere
with me, young ladies, or be surprised
at anything may say or do Or object
to 1t. You must trust me, and let me
; work in my own way"
. After supper, when Abner Pierce had
| enjoyed another comfortable smoke
and had conversed with the girls con-
, corning their mother as he had known
/ her in her yOuth-a subject upon
| which he grew quite eloquent-Alex-
ander Campbell came in, bringing the
I deed and mortgage, both of which he
r handed to Mr.. Pierce for examination
Il have made inquiries concerning
the property" said the gentleman
3 "and am satisfied that II is not worth
, more than the amount Of the mortgage
and 1t would probably bring much less
IL sold at foreclosure. Your offer is 0
liberal one. but l must look at the
, mortgage. This appears to be correct.
/, he continued. when he had examined
[ the instrument. 1T Is properly &C
| knowledged, and the signature is up.
, doubtedly that Of Philip Merwin.
I suppose the young ladies will have &c
go to the county seat to execute thu
deed"
!. The girls countenance fell at thi!
, sudden surrender on the part of theil
champion.
, This reminds me-" said the old law
t yer, picking up the mortgage again
= of an occurrence that fell under m,
{ observation In Tennessee. Not tina
= the two cases are alike. as the Tennes
4 see case was undoubtedly a fraudulent
: affair; but there was similarity II
Z the circumstances. Don't look SO down
I hearted, young ladies. What will
q must be, and 1t is useless to cry abou
: what can't be helped. AS was abou
g to say, a man died in Tennessee, leav
[ 'iLg widow and one daughter. Tn,
n widow was about to administer upoI
r his estate, when a man who was un
: known came forward, and presented ,
mortgage similar to this, and Tor eX
: iactly the same amount. 1t was exam
= ined by lawyers who were familiar
= with the signature of the deceased, WHIT
pronounced 1t correct. Although ther,
. was something strange about the at
[ fair, they could find no flaw In the in
[ ,strunent. Itiwas particularly puzzlint
A to one OF them, who thought that h,
q had transacted all the law business o
. the deceased. He got hold of the mort
gage and brought 1t to me when wal
0 In Nashville, | happened TO have II
4 my possession "A very powerful mag
nifying glass that had been presented
|. To me--the most powerful single LEM
g had ever seen. With this examined
I the mortgage and soon discovered tina
1 forty had been raised from four.
D There was no mistake about 1t. coult