Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1880-03-10
A MOUNTAIN MYSTERY.

At the foot of the Boston Noun
tians i'm Arkansas dwells a man
named Mason. He is over eighty
years old, and his tall figure, white
hair and patriarchal air gave him
an indescribable appearance. His
house is a rough but comfortable
log-cabiu, and the few acres around
it affords ample subsistence. An
excellent marksman, he has never
abandoned the use Of his trusty
rifle, while the numerous deer and
bear skins within and without the
cabin bear ample testimony OF his
skill and success. With the ex-
ception of his wife, he lives entire
" alone. But his life has not al
ways been thus desolate. Only q
few years ago three children
Frightened his humble home, two
bows, John and David, and one
daughter, who was the pride Of
the old mans heart and the light
of his cabin. The sons were light
hearted boys, given to drink some
what, but liked by everybody,
while Lizzie was rare wildwood
blossom. Her soft blue eyes and
fiaxen hair played sad havoc with
the hearts of the younger portion
Of the opposite sex in all that sec
ton, and many sought her hand in
marriage, the fortunate suitor be-
ing a young man named Charles
Mckinley, rather dissipated, not
worth dollar, yet handsome, a
very forest Appollo-in short, just
the kind Of man to win q young
girls heart!
The Mason family were anything
but pleased with her choice. and
spared no effort to break off the
attachment the lovers had for each
other. Entreaties and threats were
alike uuavaiing. The former gave
her courage to plead for Charley (;
the latter made her cling the closer
10 him. IL will never give up
Lizzie" he said, when questioned
on that point. Finding all other
efforts useless the Masons resorted
TO more violent measures. John
Mason met Charley Mckinley one
day in the forest and desperate en-
counter ensned in which both were
badly cut and bruised, but in which
John was decidedly worsted. This
stirred up additional bitterness, and
for time threatened to draw the
majority of the surrounding families
into the quarrel, and disturb the
peace of the neighborhood. Lizzie
sought to pour oil on the troubled
waters, and her gentle words melt
ed the hardened natures that evil
passions had filed with wrath.
There was a reconciliation be-
tween her lover and brother, and
there was general rejoicing in con-
sequence, when an event occurred
which changed amity into distrust
and suspicion. The event was no
less than the sudden and myster-
icus disappearance Of Charles Nc
Kinley. He was last seen alive,
alone in the forest, beyond the
mountains, and was on the trail OF
q deer.
The most rigid search failed to
discover him or any trace OF his
his whereabouts. He had dropped
out Of sight and life as If the earth
had opened and swallowed him
MP. All sorts Of stories were rife
One said he had been murdered
another that he had run away
still another that he was purposely
hiding himself and would sudden
" return. But as time went or
and he neither came nor was hearc
of. the suspicion that he had me
with foul play gained ground rap
Idly, growing into certainty in tn
minds Of many pesons. OF cours
John Mason was accused Of tn
murder, and though he strenuous
" denied the charge, the evidenc
against him was strong enough I
warrant his apprehension. One
in the meshes of the law it SCENE
as il a hundred circumstances cam
mp, all crying trumpet-tongueC
"Guilty J" Divers persons had hear
him threaten 10 kill Charles KC
Kinley; that young man had hin
self said that he did not conside
his life safe so long as john Maso
remained in the country. Eve
Johns father admitted reluctant
that his son had declared his inter
ton of Kidding Charles Mckinle
with buckshot, while David CO
robora,ed the parents Statement
Thus the coils Of circumstanti
evidence closed tighter and Tight
about the young man, aud beyor
his bare assertion there was not
ing To be said in refutatiou. II
blow had fallen on the young 81
with crushing effect. The sudd'
disappearance OF her lover, the .
rest OF her brother on the chars
of numbering him, almost drove b
insane. She, however, shared u
popular opinion that young Nj
kinley had been murdered, Al
her brother was guilty OF the teri
h,e crime. Urged for q reason 4
her belief. she finally admitted Oh
n rested on the slender foundatiC
~ :