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VOL. XIU.
2STE3AV BLOOMFIELD, !A., TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 187U.
NO. 48.
4T i Lay I ) .."a w. " III W r IV WW
THE TIMES.
in Independent Family Newspaper,
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Beledt Poetry.
THE OTHER SIDE.
"The words are good," t said, "I cannot
doubt i"
I took my scissors then to cut tliera out ;
But Mary seized my hand i " Take care," she
cried,
" There is a plcturo ou the other side."
I fell to musing. We are too intent
On gaining that to which our minds are bent
We choose, then fling the fragments far and
and wide,
But spoil the picture on the other side !
A prize Is offered t others seek it too
But on we press with only self in view,
We gain our point, but pause well satisfied,
But, ah ! the picture on the other side.
On this a sound of revelry we bear
On that a wall of mourning strikes the ear
On this, a carriage stands with groom and
bride,
A hearse Is waiting on the other side.
We call It trash we tread it roughly down,
'The thing which others might have deemed a
crown (
An infant's eyes, annolntcd, see the gold
Where wo, world-blinded, only brass behold.
We pluck a weed and fling it to the breeze j
A flower of fairest view another sees,
We strike a chord with careless smile and
Jest,
And break a heart-string in another's breast.
Tread soil and softer still as on you go,
With eyes washed clear in love's annolnting
glOW)
Life's page, well finished, turn it, satisfied,
And, lo ! heaven's picture on the other side.
A TERRIBLE TRIAL.
MARY KNIGHT would have graced
the drawing-room of a palace if
fate had cast her lot among princes of the
earth. But she was forced to live in an
atmosphere which she felt was degrad
ing to her womanhood. Were it not for
the strong love she had for her father
and the almost idolatrous worship she
received from him, her life would have
been unbearable.
Shortly after her mother's death her
father had taken her East and placed
her in a fashionable school where she
received an education which entirely un
fitted her for the life she was now lead'
Ing.
She had no female friends, and was
surrounded by the rough, uneducated
men who were her father's companions.
Still she bore this dreary existence with
patience, sustained by her father's love,
but often in the solitude of her chamber
wished he had never sent her from her
home in the back woods, to acquire tastes
for a life above the one he brought her
back to.
About six months previous to the time
I speak of, Elliot Burnett came from the
East and settled in the mining district.
He was a young man of good personal
appearance, well educated and refined in
manner. He met Mary Knight,and the
two became fast friends. Their friend
ship soon ripened into love.
Black Bill, a companion of Joe
Knight's, had been an ardent admirer of
Mary, and had once dared to give utter
ance to his love in her presence. She
disliked the man, and did not hesitate to
tell him so. He paid little heed to her
repulses thinking that in time he could
overcome them. The arrival of Elliot
Burnett aroused the jealous, revengeful
part of his dark nature, and he deter
mined If Mary Knight refused to be
some his wife she should never belong
to another.
He used every means to excite the
anger and indignation of Joe Knight
against Elliot, hoping it would finally
end in the murder of the young man by
Mary's father. Then he would suggest
lynch law for the murderer. Thus
Mary would be completely in his power,
as her father had appointed him, Black
Bill, the trustee of his daughter's for
tune, and he hoped In time to be able to
coerce her into marrying htm. Black
Bill's artfully arranged plan had been
very successful, and Knight had for
bidden his daughter to see or speak to
Burnett.
One evening a number of men were
congregated in the tavern carousing and
drinking, when Knight became Involv
ed In a quarrel with another miner.
During their war of words Burnett en
tered and endeavored to pacify both par
ties. Knight, in his excitement, thought
Elliot was taking sidcB ugainst him,
and Black Bill used every effort to start,
the men fighting, but without success,
for Elliot did not lose his presence of
mind. His coolness exasperated Knight,
who finally gave him a stinging blow
on the cheek. This was a signal for a
general fight among the loungers of the
tavern, for Elliot was a favorite with
most of them. They knew his for
bearance had been actuated by his love
for Knight's daughter, and not by cow
ardice, as Black BUI insinuated. They
accordingly sympathized with and ad
mired his manly courage when he said :
"Joe Knight, I respect your daugh
ter too much to allow myself to become
involved in a quarrel with her father."
Knight attempted to deal him a seo
ond blow, but was prevented by the by
standers, who declared it cowardly to
force a man into a fight under such cir
cumstances. Before the quarrel ended, Black BUI
and Knight received some rough treat
ment from the hands of the crowd, and
they returned to their respective homes
swearing vengeance against all who had
opposed them, and particularly against
Burnett, who was blamed for the, result
of the fight.
The next morning Mary was greatly
distressed when Bhe learned what had
transpired. Of course hej father gave
his own version of the affair, telling
her that Elliot had insulted him, and
when he struck him, dared not return
the blow, but drew others Into the quar
rel and left them to fight for him.
Mary listened to the recital,but doubted
her father's statement, and determined
to withhold her judgment until she
heard the story from Elliot's own
Hps.
The following evening, after she had
finished her work indoors, she set out
for her usual walk. As she strolled
slowly along her mind was occupied
with thoughts of Elliot, and of the ten
der words of love he bad uttered at their
last parting. Why, she asked herself,
was she forbidden to partake of this one
joy of her solitary existence ? It was
true that she loved her father, and he
loved her, after his fashion ; but he
could not understand the want of her
higher nature. The desire for intel
lectual companionship was something
entirely beyond his comprehension.
She knew he did not dream she was
dissatisfied. As he often said :
" She was well fed and well clothed ;
and then, too, she would have a snug
little fortune some day."
Yes, someday after the light of her
youth had burned itself out, When all
her bright hopes and ardent desires for
a more ennobling life were dead. What
good would money do her then when
her dream life had vanished V
She was in a rebellious mood this
evening, and, like some captive bird
that frets its wings against its prison
bars, longing to be free, so she longed to
escape from the existence which had
grown so hateful to her. Before she was
debarred from companionship with El
liot she used to pour out her complaints
into bis sympathizing ears,andhe would
strive to make her forget her present
life, while drawing bright pictures of
the happy future they would enjoy to.
gether, when he had accumulated suffi
cient means to provide a home for her.
In the distance she saw Elliot coming
toward her. Her heart gave a bound
of joy ; then grew sad again as she re
membered her father's mandate.
Elliot hastened to meet her, and re
marking her pale face and tearful eyes,
said :
" What has gone wrong with you,
Mary? You have been weeping."
"I am very unhappy, Elliot. My
father has forbidden me to see or speak
to you ngalu, but I could not resist the
temptation of saying farewell, and he
side, I wan ltd to hear from your own
lips of the events which occurred the
other nlht."
He gave her a truthful account of the
affray, and, while exonerating himself
from blame, tried to excuse her father,
saying :
" Black Bill was more at fault than
your father. He hates you both, and
will destroy you If he cun. My darling,
I wish it was in my power to take yon
out of tills life and away from such
scenes. Unfortunately I cannot Just
yet. So we must trust and love each
other while looking forward to brighter
days."
They walked along the road so per
fectly happy In each other's society that
they forgot the Might of time, until sud
denly startled by a rustle in the bushes
near them, and before either could speak
a whirring sound was heard, then the
report of a pistol broke upon the still
ness of the night.
Elliot uttered a cfy of pain, placed
his band over his breast, staggered a
few steps forward, and fell to the earth,
blood spurting from the wound he had
received. Mary Btood motionless, gaz
ing at the prostrate form before her. A
deadly faintness came over, and she
dropped at his side.
When she awoke to consciousness she
looked around. Where was Elliot ?
Surely she had seen him fall dead at her
feet. Was It her father Bhe had seen
peering out from among the bushes just
before she fainted ? She could not tell.
It all appeared like a horrible dream.
She turned her steps homeward, where
the shadow of a fearful crime Beemed to
follow her, and entered the house, in
which a deathlike stillness reigned.
When passing the door of her father's
room, she saw him lying on the bed
sound asleep.
The next morning Bhe was awakened
by .hearing a confused mingling of
voices, but could not tell what they
were talking about. She arose and
went to the door to listen. Some one
said :
" There is no use in talking, Joe
Knight, Elliot Burnett Is missing. You
threatened him, and the report of a mus
ket was heard near here last night. No
doubt be has been murdered, and suspi
cion points strongly toward you. If
you can clear yourself from the charge,
so much the better; but we will keep
you in irons until you do it."
Mary's blood seemed to curdle in her
veins, and her heart almost ceased beat
ing as these words reached her ears, and
an agonized cry she could not repress
burst from her lips.
" That was Mary's voice," said one of
the men. " Bring her here ; perhaps
she knows something about it."
As quick as lightning the thought
came to her that she must not tell what
she knew. If Elliot was Indeed dead,
the sacrifice of her father would not re
store him to life; and even if it would,
could she desert her father ? No ; she
must defend him in every possible
way, for who else would do it ? Would
not every man's hand be turned against
him now ? While thus thinking, one
of one of th6 men came to seek her, say
ing :
" Mary, your father is in trouble, and
you are wanted in the next room."
She followed the man to the room,
where her father sat, his hands and feet
firmly pinioned with ropes. His head
was bowed on his chest. He raised his
eyes, gave one rapid glance at her face,
which told him she did not believe in
his guilt, or If she did she would never
acknowledge it to his enemies. She
went quietly upo him, and putting her
arms around his neck, said:
" Do not be.troubled, father. It will
all come out right. Submit to these
men ; they are only doing their duty."
One of the party, who acted as spokes
man for the rest, said, in respectful
tones :
" Miss Mary, if you know anything
about this affuir which will tend to clear
your father, you had better tell it now ;
for the men are much excited over the
disappearance of Burnett,and you know
the cool 'heads cannot always control
them, I will do all I can to protect your
father, but will not answer for his life if
Elliot Burnett Is not found."
" Who first accused my futher of this
crime V" Bhe asked, with forced calm
ness. The men looked at each other as if
each was waiting for the other to
answer her question. Finally one of
them said ;
" Block BUI told me of it. He Bald
some one was looking for Burnett, and
couldn't find him. Inquiries were then
made, and at last a general search was
Instituted, but without success. He was
seen coming toward your house, and
late at night, some one Black Bill, I
think heard a shot In this direction.
That, with the threats your father was
heard to utter against Burnett, is the
only evidence we have at present."
" Where are you going to take him ?"
she asked, in the Batne calm tones.
"To the tavern," the man replied.
" Some of the miners are searching for
Burnett's body. If they find it, why
I tell you, Miss Mary, if you can do any
thing to clear your father, you had bet- j
ter set about doing It."
Alas I any Information she could give
them would only strengthen their con
viction In her fathcr'sgullt. She wanted
time to think and weltrh her words, for
one rashly uttered sentence might seal
his doom.
" I am too much shocked at what has
occurred to speak now," she said.
"Give me time to collect my confused
thoughts, and let me assure vou niv
did not commit the crime he is charged
with. I was with Elliot Burnett when
the bullet struck him. and mv father
was at home."
"She is trying to shield her father,"
whispered one of the men. " Poor girl !
I don't blame her." Then he added
aloud: "You say you Were with Bur
nett when he was shot if your father
didn't shoot him, who did?"
Mary grew deathly pale, but making
a supreme effort to control her emo
tions, she turned, and looking her inter
rogator full in the face, answered in a
hoarse voice :
"It was Black BUI.'.'
"Why didn't you say so when we
first asked you abont the affair ? And
why didn't you give the alarm when it
occurred?"
" I fainted when Elliot was shot, and
when I recovered consciousness I was
bo frightened and confused that I could
not tell what had happened."
' The men talked together in low voices
for a few moments, then one of them
said :
" We must guard your father until we
can investigate the matter."
Without further parley they started
for the tavern, taking Mary and her
father with them. As they reached the
spot where Elliot and herself Btood
when the fatal shot struck him, the
whole scene presented itself so vividly
to her mind that Bhe burst into tears.
When Mary found herself alone with
her father she put her arms around his
neck and begged him to tell her what
he knew about the terrible affair.
" Black BUI came in just as you went
out," said Knight, "and brought a bot
tle of whiskey with him. We sat smok
ing and drinking for some time, when
he left, and I, feeling very drowsy, went
to bed. The first thing I knew about
the affair was when the men accused me
of it. You don't think I shot Burnett,
do you, Mary ?" he asked, pleadingly.
" No, my dear father, I believe you'
have spoken the truth."
She then told him what had happened
the night before.
" Are you sure it was Black Bill who
fired the shot ?" asked Knight.
" No," replied Mary ; " I said that to
gain time.- I saw a face peering out
from the bushes, but it was too dark to
recognize the features. Still, I believe,
if the men Investigate the matter, they
will find that Black Bill is the guilty
one. I know he haled, and was jealous
of Elliott, and I do not think he loved
either you or I any too well."
Father and daughter spent that day
and the two succeeding ones iu their
prison. Each time the landlord came
to bring their food, Mary would in
quire eagerly if they had found Elliot.
The answer was always the same :
" No ; but they are still searching lor
him."
The third night Mary was startled by
hearing something strike against the
window pane. She listened attentively,
then approached the window and open
ed it quietly, so as not to disturb her
father, who was sleeping soundly. As
she did so, a voice from below said :
" Miss Mary, Elliot is not dead."
Her heart throbbed wildly as she
asked :
"Where Is he? Oh, tell me where
he is!"
But no response came to this appeal
all was silent as the grave. The she de
ckled that the words were only the effect
of her excited Imagination'.
The next morning when the man
brought their breakfast, he whispered:
" Black Bill and one or two others
talk of taking your father out to-day
and forcing a confession from him.
The men are greatly excited, and if they
once get started In that sort of business
they may lynch him whether he is in
nocent or guilty. I thought Black Bill
was a friend of your father's, but he has
done more than all the rest to keep up
the excitement. .
The landlord, who was a kind-hearted
map, looked pityingly at Mary's white
face as be added :
"Cheer up, my girl, I am sorry for
you, and will do what I can to save
your father."
When he left the room Mary stood
like one petrified, as the peril of her
father's position burst upon her. Joe
Knight was still sleeping. His daugh
ter awoke him, and after he had made
his toilet, served his breakfast, she ex
hibited more reverential tenderness than
usual, feeling that each little act of kind
ness might be the last she could ever
bestow upon him. She decided not to
tell her father of his danger, it would
do no good, and she wished to spare
him the horror of knowing his life
hung by a thread as it were.
Toward evening the door was unlocked,
and several of the most desperate char
acters of the mining district entered the
room. Jim Snyder, the leader of the
party, swaggered up to Joe Knight, and
said they had not succeeded in finding
Burnett, but were convineed he had
been murdered, and that he,Joe Knight,
bad committed the deed, and if he re
fused to confess they would lynch him
on the spot.
Joe told them the same story he bad
told bis daughter, but his denial only
exasperated the desperate men.
" Well," said Snyder, " we will see
when you get the baiter around your
neck if you will still defy us."
Poor Mary pleaded earnestly for her
father ; but in spite of her tears and re
monstrances they pinioned his arms,
and led him to the place where the mob
was collected. She, accompanied by the
landlady, followed the crowd. Her
white face and despairing cries touched
the hearts of the spectators, yet they
dared not interfere with the desperadoes.
The men formed themselves into tv
jury, and appointed one of the gang
judge when, after going through the
form of a trial, Joe Knight was pro
nounced guilty of murdering Elliot
Burnett, and was sentenced to be hung
then and there.
When Knight realized that all hope
was over he asked for writing material,
that he might revoke the wiU he bad
made, appointing Black Bill trustee of
his daughter's fortune. But his quon
dam friend determined, if possible, to
prevent this, and told bis desperate com
panions it was only a ruse to gain time
Mary would soon be of age and mis
tress of her own fortune. His Influence
prevailed, and Joe was forced to submit
to their decision.
When they attempted to put the hal
ter around the prisoner's neck, Mary
broke away from her companions, and
running up to her father, threw ber
arms around him, and fought desperate
ly for his life. Her wild, unearthly
looking eyes, and ber face convulsed
with the agony of despair, sent a thrill
of pity through the crowd pity for the
poor frenzied girl rather than for the
supposed murderer ; still the work of
death went on. Some of the men un
clasped Mary's arms from ber father's
neck, while the others arranged the
rope.
" God bless and watch over you, my
poor girl 1" said Knight, in a broken
voice. " I am Innocent, Mary. Oh, be
lieve it, chUd, when I am gone.
At that moment there was a surging