The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-08-02

'ERMs: Six Months 30 cents.
springs hung telltale bag of gold.
The men were sent for and confronted
with the evidence of their guilt. They
protested their lnnocence-but in vain.
They were escorted to Jail and soon
given trial. The judge was mine
owner; the jury was composed Of
miners; the evidence was bag of
stolen gold-all against the two friends.
They were found guilty, advised to
produce the rest of the missing gold,
and upon insisting that they were
innocent. they were given long term
"to think it over"
Back in their native city their
relatives and friends were wondering
what had become of Jim and Joe. At
Quento two scamps were congratulate
ing themselves on the success of their
latest exploit in iniquity. In West
ern prison the two friends were la
menting their fate and the blindness
of justice.
One glorious morning in June, Jim
and Joe were being whirled along the
e. E. E. railway, drinking in the in
toxicating mountain air, feasting their
eyes on the beautiful scenery, looking
at everything with new-found inter-
est, and revolving in their mind plan
to prove their innocence. This they
expected to do, but no thought of re-
venge entered their minds; for the
boon of liberty had counteracted the
rnelancholic cravings of solitude, and
crushed ignoble DESIRES
The train drew up at the Quento
station and the friends hastened to
interview Ford, superintendent of the
"AIl Gold Nine" They were confident
at least Joe was-Of making the
managers pay dear for the time they
were incarcerated. Their reception at
the mine was very cold one-in fact,
they were told to get away and stay
away. Wiley was selected to see them
off the premises, but as he parted from
them he handed Joe purse saying:
"Sorry, boys, that you received such
long term, but now you can raise your
plant and live easy: You'd better get
out of Quento, for the manager will
have you shadowed while you're in
this city. If there's anything that I
can do for you, boys, I shall do, it. I
always thought lot of you two"
AS Jim and Joe walked away, Wiley
chuckled, then sauntered toward the
'lift." A whir and buzz and car shot
up from the depths below. 1t con-
tanned miner, whom we already know
as Jackson. Wiley informed him of
Jim and Joe's arrival and reception.
This fact was an inspiration for the
rogues; and for several minutes they
conversed in whispers again
to profit by experience. 1t was soon
apparent to the two friends that they
could get no reparation for the injustice
done them, so they decided to return to
the East. Upon inquiry they learned
that no train left for the East until
seven-thirty on the following morning,
so they entered hotel to remain over
night. 1t so happened that the hotel
clerk was an ex-prisoner and knew the
two friends. He volunteered to show
them the sights, and consequently it
was nearly midnight when Jim and
Joe retired. Scarcely had they turned
out the lights when gigantic explo-
sion at the Gall Gold Mine" aroused
the slumbering population. Of course
the manager and Ford immediately
concluded that Jim and Joe had
sought revenge. Accordingly rumor
spread to that effect, but daylight dis
closed the truth. The bodies of Wiley
and Jackson were found in the ruins
of the general Office. They had in
tended.to plunder the Office believing
the two friends would be blamed for
the robbery, and in carrying out their
plans Wiley dropped match in keg
Of powder. The rogues' rooms were
. searched and enough evidence found
, to reveal the guilt of the ones who had
, for years been systematically stealing
gold.
The managers sent for the two
friends and offered them large sum
} to drop any proceedings contemplated;
but Jim and Joe desired not money,
but that their innocence be proclaimed.
This was done, and they then departed
, for the East, fully convinced that the
8 way Of the world Is peculiar; but that