The Placer herald., 1869-11-20
A BOLD STROKE FOR A WIFE.
BY JUDGE CLARK.

II was my first visit north since b ad Ia
ken up my abode and entered on the prac>
tice Of my profession in New Orleans.
10 the city Of New York | had a very
dear friend, my old cbum and classmate,
George Dickson; aud as be 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 Ia
ken place 10 the appearance and manner Of
my friend.
Our first greetings and friendly inquiries
over, longej, yet forbore, to ask the cause
Of my friends melancholy. | felt sure 10
due time, of being made the con6daut of
the secret provided no motive Of dsIicscy
prompted its concealment.
That evening, in my room at the hotel,
George told me bis story. He had formed
an attachment for young lady whose gra-
ces Of mind and person be portrayed with
all the fsrvor Of lovers eIoquence. She
had returned bis affection, but her father
bad opposed bis suit, having set bis heart
on the marriage Of his daughter to a nephew
of bic.
This nephew was a young physician, Of
profligale character, my friend assured me
but !bat may have been pre- ejudlcs-wbo
bad long but unsuccessfuly wooed bis cous.
10, to whom bis prof-rs we're as repuguant t
as to her father they were acceptable.
Some months since, Mr.. Parsons, tho
young lady's father, had gone south on
business, accompanied BY his nephew. At
New Orleans be had been seized with sud-
den illness, which terminated fatally 10 three
days.
On the day preceding bis death he bad
executed will, (which bad since been duly
proved by the dspositions Of the attesting
wltoesses,) containing a solemn request that
bis daugh er. 10 whom be left the whole Of
bis estate, should accept the band Of bis
nephew in marrisge coupled with a pro-
vision tba. 10 case the latter offered, and
she refused, within specified period. to en-.
ter into the proposed union, the entire es-
tate devised to the daughter should then
be forfeited 10 the nephew.
To sacrifc her fortune to her hearts
choice would not have cost Julia Parsons q
moments hesitation; and nothing could have
more delighted George Dickson lbao so fair
an opportunity Of showing how superior
bis devotion was 10 all consideration OF per-
sonaI advantage. But ber fathers dying
request 10 JulIas eyes. was sacred. 1t bad
surprised and stunned her. it is true. for, 10
their many conferences on the subject. be
had never gone beyond the most kindly re
monstrance, aud bad never even bioed at
any thing ! ke coercion.
Young Parsons had not the magnanimity
to foregO bis ungenerous advantage. He
might have been content with his cousin 8
fortune alone, but bis right TO that depended
upon bis offer and her rejection of an ALI
auce which she felt 10 conscience bound to
accept. The brief season Of grace, which
she had been compelled to beg even with
tears, had already almost passed, and few
more days would witness the condemnation
OF two lives to hopeless misery.
At the conclusion Of my friends nara
tive, in which, for reasons that may hereaf
ter bs developed | felt a peculiar interest,
prevailed upon him to accompany me to a
place of amusement to which l bad previ-
ousIy procured tickets.
When we reached the tbeater the per-
formauce had already begun but we sue
ceedsd in finding seats which commanded a
fair view Of the stage and the audience.
Iu few moments George touched my ell
bow.
Observe tie gentleman nearly opposite
in the front Of the parqueite. seated next
the column, leaning his arm on bis cane,
he whispered.
looked in the direction indicated, and
saw face whose striking resemblance to
one | had seen before caused me TO start
with surprise.
who is in | asked
'Eldridge Parsous,' was the reply.
The nephew Of whom yoo spoksF
The same my friend answered.
'Dees be resemble his uncle = l was on