The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-10-29
Perfect Love Is Simple Faith.

I
The three magistrates had sat unin-
terruptedly far into the autumn after
noon, and had now retired to consider
their decision. 1t was distressing case
and occurring in Singlebridge, which Is
mere handful of town, provoked in
tense interest among the inhabitants
Everybody knew the parties concerned.
Silas Westbrook, the reluctant prosecu-
tor, was senior partner in an impressive
ly solid firm which had fourished in the
borough for generations. He enjoyed a
reputation for strict probity and broad
benevolence which was singularly merl-
ted. His son Augustus (also ofthe firm +,
witness for the prosecution, was held
in much esteem by certain of the youn-
ger sort in Singlebridge, who sumpathiz-
ed with his amiable wildness and if
certain of the older sort looked askance
at these, why, that was the only natural.
About Mr. Blanchard, another witness
for the prosecution, little was known to
the inquiring gossips. He had been a
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 a good
They got on amazingly well together,
people observed, but despite all his eff
forts-and some of these were marked
enough-suave Mr.. Blanchard failed to
similarly captivate Gus's pretty sister
Fanny. As became her fathers daugh-
ter, she treated the West Indian connec-
ton 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 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 susie
nence on the one side to contempt, and
on the other to malice and all unchari-
tableness. To-day viii behold the tri-
umph or discontinue of Blanchard. In
the police court of Singlebridge, in the
presence of crowd of people, the MAORI
ty 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 defence.
"Silencein the Court.
Of the four actors In the little drama,
old Mr.. Westbrook betrayed the most
agitation as the opening of door at
the back of the Court heralds the re-
turn 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, I, 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
consideration to this fact in your favor,
and have come to the conclusion, actu-
ated by motives which we earnestly hope
you win live to appreciate in a proper
spirit, TO dismiss this case. You may
go" e
''But my character" exclaimed
White, In q voice husky with emotion,
sswho Is to clear that of faint 7"
Yourself solemnly answered the
chairman. stCall the next case.
Dazed, trembling under the influence
of warning passions, he left the dock
land passed out Of the court into the
snnlit street. Whittier should he direct
his feet7 As he slowly and mechani-
cally, seeing nothing. hearing nothing,