Year: 1875

out letters of administration upon theil
fathers estate. when man Of whom
they had never before heard put in an
appearance, and presented mortgage
with bond included, executed by the
late Mr.. Merwin. upon all his real
estate, for the sum of forty thousand
dollars. Not content with prohibiting
them from an attempt to sell anything,
he had tied up their money in bank
leaving them absolutely penniless.
They had used their credit, but trades
men we're becoming impatient. and
some had refused to supply them any
further without pay.


This is bad case said Mr.. Pierce.
You need money-this is the FIRST
thing to attend to. You must let me
act as your banker, until I get you out
Of this scrape. and that won't be long,
| I hope. How much do you owe?'


More than one hundred dollars,
answered Clara. ffa


The old gentleman counted out two
hundred dollars from a we'll filed pocket
book, and handed it to her.


For your mothers sake,' he said,
when she refused to receive. and he
forced it upon her in such a way that
she could not help taking it. He then
accepted the young lady's invitation to
make their house his home during his
STAY, and went into dinner with them.


is there any place where can
smoke 2 he asked, when they returned
to the sitting-room.


You can smoke here,' said the i'm
pulsive Mary. Pa always smoked
here, and we are used to it.


So he took a meerschaum and some
tobacco from his valise, and was soon
putting away with an air Of great con-
tentment.


Il can think better when l SMOKE
he said. Did you have any legal ad-
vice 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 had
never heard Of the mortgage before


Strange. What is the name Of the
man who holds it?'


Alexander Campbell.


.Humph. A good name, but bad
man, l am afraid. When and where
can / see him T. H


He will be here this afternoon an
swered Clara. He proposes if we will
make him a deed of the real estate, to
give up the bond and mortgage. leav-
ing US our money ID bank and the rest
Of our personal property


Very liberal. Introduce me to him
when he comes as an old friend of the
family, and not as q 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
gentleman's intent gaze. Mr.. Pierce
glanced but slightly at the deed which
was offered for the consideration of the
ladies. being occupied in studying the
countepance of the man in whose favor
it was dr6wn.


i can't decide on it just now, he
said at last. I may say. in loco PARENTS.
L must make few inquiries concern
ing the value Of the property. Suppose
you come after supper. Mr. Campbell,
and suppose you bring that 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 to-



bacco, and Mary brought him light.


I know that you have some good
news for us, she said, 4 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, I said, and that
is true I think I see 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 I 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 concern
ing their mother as be had known her
in her youth-a subject upon which he
grew quite eloquent-Alexander Camp
bell came in, bringing the deed and
mortgage. both Of which he handed to
Mr.. Pierce for examination.


1 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 q
liberal one, but I must first look at the
mortgage. This appears to be correct
l.. ..~x:.u.l 49, L. LII ovo,r:ro1