The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-11-20
A DARK GAME LOST.

The three magistrates had sat unin-
terruptedly far into the autumn after
n 'on, and had now retired to consider
tn air decision. It was distressing case,
and occurring in Singlebridge, which is
a mere handful of a town, provoked in
tense interest among the inhabitants.
Silas Westbrook, the reluctant prosecu-
tor, was senior partner in an impressive
ly solid firm which hed fourished in the
borough for generations. His son Au-
gustus (also of the firm), a witness for the
prosecution, was held in much esteem
by certain of Tie younger sort in Single
bridge, who sympsthzed with his amia-
BILE wildness. About Mr.. Blanchard,
another witness for the prosecution,
little was known to the inquiring gos.
sips. He had been a resident with the
Westbrooks for about eight months,
during which period he had sat along
side Gus in the Office in business hours,
aud had been good deal about him at
other times. They got on amazingly
well together, people observed, but
despite all his efforts-and some of these
were marked enough-suave Mr.. Blan-
chard failed to similarly captivate Gus
pretty sister Fanny. AS became her
fathers daughter, she treated the West
Indian connection of her fathers firm
with unerring graciousness. 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 instinc-
tive foe. From the moment Harold
White, a confidential clerk to the firm,
and potential partner therein, met and
simply shook hands with the West In.
dian, they hated each other with q
hatred that owed its sustenance on the
one side to contempt, and ON the Other
to malice and all uncharitableness. To
day will behold the triumph or discount
ture of Blanchard. In the police court o.
Singlebridge, in the presence of a Grove
of people, the majority of whom are
personally known TO him, Harold White
stands accused on the united testimony o
the Westbrooks, father and soH, of em
bezzlement.
To the profound chagrin of the magis
trates' clerk, who, cordially dislikinl
Blanchard, wishes we'll to the accused
the latter conducts his own defense.
"Silence in the court"
The silence is oppressive when, in
voice full of feeling, the chairman turn
to the accused and says:
Harold White, I, who have know
you for so many years, need not say tina
the long examination, which my brothe
magistrates and myself have this da
=. conducted to the very best of our ability
has been to all of us fraught with cor
siderable pain. And we are bound I
admit, in your behalf, that nothing ha
transpired in the course of this hearin
which reflects in the least on your COZ
duct during tue period to which refer
We have given due consideration to tn
fact in your favor, and have come to I'll
conclusion, actuated by motives whic
we earnestly hope you will live to al
preciate in a proper spirit, to dismil
the case. You may CO."
"But my character, exclaimed Whit
in voice husky with emotion, "who
to clear that of faint ?"
Yourself" solemnly answered Il
chairman. "Call the next case"
Dazed, trembling under the inhuen
OF warning passions, he left the dock al
passed out of the court into the sun
street. Whittier should he direct /
feet
The September sun was setting red
behind familiar belt Of woods viii