The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-12-15
PERFECT LOVE Is SIMPLE FAITH.

The three magistrates had sat unin-
terruptedly far into the autumn after
noon, and had now retired to consider
their decision. 1t was a distressing
case, and occurring in Singlebridge
which is mere handful of town, pro-
Yoked intense interest among the in
habitants. Everybody knew the parties
concerned SilaS Westbrook, the re-
luctant prosecutor, was senior partner
in an impressively solid firm which had
tiourished in the borough for genera
tons. He enjoyed a reputation for
strict probity and broad benevolence
which was singularly merited. His son
Augustus (also in the tirm), witness
for the prosecution, was held in much
esteem by certain of the younger sort in
Singlebridge who sympathized with
his amiable witnesses; and if certain of
the older sort looked askance at these,
why, that was only natural. About
Mr.. Blanchard, another witness for the
prosecution, little was known to the in
quiring gossips. He had been resident
with the Westbrooks for about eight
months, during which period he had sat
alongside Gus in the office in business
hours, and had been good deal about
with him at other times. They got on
amazingly well together, people OBJ
served, but despite all his efforts-and
some of these were marked enough
suave Mr.. Blanchard failed to similarly
captivate Gus pretty sister Fanny. AS
became her fathers daughter, she
treated the West Indian connection of
her father firm with unfaltering gra-
ciousness. But her sweetest moods,
her tenderest looks and gentlest tones
were not for him. The magician at
whose bidding they so gladly came was
Blanchard's instructive foe. From the
moment Harold White, confidential
clerk to the firm, and potential part
ner therein, met and simply shook
hands with the West Indian, they hated
each other with hatred that owed its
sustenance on one side to contempt, and
on the other to malice and all unchari-
tableness. To-day will behold the tri-
umph or discontinue of Blanchard. In
the Police Court of Singlebridge, in the
presence of a crowd of people, the ma
jority of whom are personally known to
him, Harold White stands accused, on
the united testimony of the Westbrooks,
father and son, of enlightenment.
To the profound chagrin of the mag
istrates' clerk, who, cordially disliking
Blanchard, wishes well to the accused,
the latter conducts his own defense.
"Silence in the court!'
Of the four actors in the little drama
old Mr.. Westbrook betrays the most az
itation as the opening of door at the
back of the court heralds the return of
the magistrates to their seats on the
bench. The silence is oppressive when,
in a voice full of feeling, the Chairman
turns to the accused and says:
Harold White, |, who have known
you for SO many years, need not say
that the long examination which my
brother magistrates and myself have
this day conducted to the very best of
our ability has been to all of us fraught
with considerable pain. And we are
bound to admit, in your behalf, that
nothing has transpired in the course OF
this hearing which reflects in the least
on your conduct during the period to
which refer. We have given due con
sideration to this fact in your favor, and
have come to the conclusion, actuated
by motives which we earnestly hope
you will live to appreciate in a proper
spirit, to dismiss this case. You may
60"
"But my character" exclaimed
White, in voice husky with emotion
"who is to clear that of taintP''
yourself" solemnly answered the
Chairman. "Call the next case"
Dazed, trembling under the influence
of warning passions, he left the dock
and passed out of the court into the sun.
lit street. Whittier should he direct
his feet? As he slowly and mechanic
ally, seeing nothing, hearing nothing
with bowed head and leaden gait, stole
along in the direction of the riverside
he felt touch on his arm. He paused
1t was one of Mr.. Westbrook' clerks