The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1869-12-29
Select STORY.
BOLD sTRIKE FOR A WIFE.
BY JUDGE CLARK.

BY JUDGE CLARK.
1t was my first visit North since had
taken up my abode and entered on the
practice Of my profession in New Orleans.
In the city Of New York l had very
dear friend, my old chum and class mate,
George Dickson, and as he was the only
person knew IN the great metropolis, of
course / lost no time in looking HIM up
Three years had passed since our last
meeting, but ten could scarcely have pro-
duced a change more marked than had ta-
ken place in the appearance and manner
| of my friend
Our first greetings and friendly inquir-
les over, l longed, yet forbore, to ask the
cause of my friends melancholy. felt
sure, in due time, of being made the conf
dant of the secret, provided no motive OF
delicacy prompted its concealment.
That evening, IN my room at the hotel,
| George told me his story He had formed
an attachment for young lady, whose
! graces of mind and person he portrayed
| with all the fervor Of a lovers eloquence.
! She had returned his affection, but her
| father had opposed his suit, having set his
| heart or the marriage of his daughter to a
nephew of his
This nephew was young physician, Of
prohigate character, my friend assured me
but that may have been prejudice-who
had long but unsuccessfully wooed his
cousin. to whom his proffers were as re-
/ pugnant as to her father they were ac-
ceptable.
Some months since, Mr.. Parsons, the
Young lady's father had gone south on
business, accompanied by his nephew. At
i New Orleans he had been seized by sud
den illness, which terminated fatally IN
three days
On the day preceding his death he had
axecnted a viii (which had since been
duly proved by the dispositions of the at
testing witnesses containing a solemn re-
quest that his daughter, to whom he left
the whole of his estate, should accept the
hand of his nephew IN marriage, coupled
with a provision that IN case the latter Of
fered. and she refused within a specified
, period, to enter into the proposed union
the entire estate devised to the daughter
should be forfeited TO the nephew
? To sacrifice her fortune to her heart:
choice would not have cost Julia Parsons
a moments hesitation, and nothing eoulC
have more delighted George Dickson, thar
so fair an opportunity of showing how su
perior his devotion was TO all considera
J, tions of personal advantage. But her faith
u ers dying reqest, IN Jula's eyes, was sa
cred 1t had surprised, and stunned heI
it is true, for, in their many conferences ol
l, the subject, he had never gone beyond tn
- most kindly remonstrance, and had neve
even limited at anything like coercion.
a Young Parsons had not the magnanim
ity to forego his ungenerous advantage
He might have been content with his cou
sins fortune alone, but his right to ths
depended on his offer and her rejection {
an alliance which she felt in cOnscienC
> bound to accept. The brief season {
grace, which she had been compelled
beg, even with tears, had already almos
passed, and q few more days would Wi
7 ness the condemnation OF two lives
hopeless misery.
At the conclusion of my friends narrs
2 tive in which, for reasons that may herr
after be developed 1 felt a peculiar il
terest, I prevailed upon him to accompan
me to place of amusement to which
n had previously procured tickets.
IL When we reached the theatre, the pc
formance had begun, but we succeeded
finding seats which commanded a Ia
view Of the stage and the audience.
= q IN few moments George touched II
. elbow.
Observe the gsntletaaR nearly opp
. site, in front of the parquette, seated ne,
the COluInu1 IeanlAiS hlS oAlAA OAi HAo NS~-4N
he whispered.
: 1 Ilooked'in the direction indicated, Al
saw face whose striking resemblance
one had seen before caused me to sta
with surprise,
who is it y 1 asked,
"Eldridge Parsons was the reply.
THE same" my friend answered.
N Does he resemble his uncleY' 1 "
l., on the point of inquiring, but just tn
the stranger drew the glove from his re
hand, and l saw that the first joint of I
Ice, middle finger was wanting, circumstaI
ow5i which, for sufficient reason, absorbed
lso attention.
"" 'Do you know the exact date OF !
tfHe Parsons death ?" I asked, when he !