The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1897-12-23
Hen for he PrSpn pr
Loves Cunning. X
Mas il aD HoDorab|e @cccH?

his hOuSekeeper, Mrs. Purdy, was prom
inent in his thoughts and troubled him.
At times she had Looked at him in such
a peculiar way, as if she would read
his inmost thoughts. Did she think of
him with reprOach for refusing to sign
her husbands pardon? He believed
not, she was very respectful. TO be
sure he was the only member who had
refused, and he had stated that he was
utterly opposed to pardoning prisoner
unless there was a very strong proba-
bility of his innocence. and further
that the fact of his family needing his
support would have no consideration
whatever. She must see that he had
but done his duty. Yet, had he done
his duty? He believed he had. Not
that he thought the man had contem-
plated felony, but that the pardon
ing of prisoner would have ten
dency to encourage crime.
ME Goodleigh determined to dismiss
the disagreeable subject from his mind,
and from before him on the desk
picked up magazine which had ar
rived that day. 1t was the universal
brotherhood" a theosophical journal
in which he had taken deep interest of
late. He opened the pages at hazard
and began to read:
"GO to the bedsides of those who die
in hOspitals,-gO into the dark alleys
of the city, and do not merely give, but
get to know what poverty means: face
it all and feel it all, and recognize that
the sin and shame of it are yours un-
less you fight against them cease
lessly"
All yes. he thought, this would be a
beautiful world if every one would
follow such advice. Should he also go
into the prison and learn what their
life was? In former number of the
same magazine he had read an article
on "Justice Tempered with Mercy"
1t was in the bookcase at the farther
end of the room, he would go and get
it, and read it again. When he re-
turned to his seat there lay on the desk
paper with some writing, it was not
there a moment before, where could it
have come from? He thought there
must be some one else in the room and
began to search. He examined every
place carefully where person might
hide, but found nothing to arouse sus-
piciOn. He next examined the win
dows and door but found them secure.
Where then could the paper have come
from? He picked it up and read:
"If you imprison a fellowman un-
Justly, it is you who are criminal.
THIBET, OCT. 11th.'
Here was indeed a mystery. The
letter bore no signature, was dated in
far off Thibet and on that very day!
Had miracle been done? And was
the letter from the Mahatmas? Was
time and distance overcome by this
great philosopher and theosophist? Or
was there trickery?
On the next day as Mr.. Goodleigh
was returning from his office he met
his most intimate friend. DR.. James,
who after the usual greetings he urged
to accompany him to supper and spend
the evening. "a strange thing has
happened, and l want you to help me
fathom the mystery
DR.. James being at leisure readily
accepted the invitation, though at a
loss to know what strange thing could
have happened to his old friend to have
caused his present agitation.
After supper the two friends retired
to the library where Mr.. Goodleigh
always spent his evenings. The Doctor