The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-11-27
Selected story.
The Forged Will.
BY JUDGE CLARK.

BY JUDGE CLARK.
1t was nv first visit North since had TAX
en- up my abode and ente Gs,a on Tie prdcllce
of NV nrofassion in New orleans.
~ ~ oi+y of New York l had very dear
f;a,,d NV old chum and classmate. George
nictson and as he was the only person L
knew in the great metropolis, of course lost
no time in looking him UP.
Three years had passed since our last meet
ING, but ten would scarcely have produced a
change more marked than had taken place in
the appearance and manner of my friend.
Our first greetings and friendly inquiries
over, | longed, yet torbore, to ask the cause OF
my TIE nd's melancholy. 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 ard person ne por-
trayel with all the fervor of lovers elo
auence She had returned his affection, but
her father had opposed his suit, having set his
heart on 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 unsuccessiully wooed his cousin. TO
whom his profers were as repugnant as 70
her father they were acceptable.
Some months since, Mr. Parsons the yolno
lady's father, had gone South on business, ac-
companled by his nephew. At New Orleans
he had been seized by sudden illness, which
terminated fatally in three days.
On the day preceding his death he had ex-
ecuted a will, (which had since been duly
proved by the dispositions of the attesting wit
nesses) containing a solemn request 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 offered and she refused, within
specified period, to enter into the proposed
mir In tipa cfa
Ter should be forfeited to the nephew.
To sacrifice her fortune to her hearts choice
would not have cost Julia Parsons moments
hesitation, but her fathers dying request in
Juiia's eyes, was sacred. 1t had surprised and
stunned her, it is true, for, in their many con.
terences on the subject, he had never gone be-
You'd the most kindly remonstrance, and had
never even limited at anything like coercion.
Young Parsons had not the masnanimtyto
foreso his uDgenerOus advantage. He might
have been content with his Cousins fortune
alone, but his right to that depended on his
offer and her rejection of an alliance which
she felt 10 conscience bound to accept. The
brief season OF grace which she had been COM
PEELED to beg even with tears, had already al
most passed, and few more days would wit
ness the condemnation of two lives to hope
less misery.
At the conclusion of my friends narrative.
prevailed upon him to accompany me to the
tuedtte, "Heie we succeeded IN finding seats
which commanded lair view of the stage and
tue audience.
In few moments George touched nv ell
bow.
observe the gentleman nearly opposite in
the trout of the parquette, seated next the
column, leaning his arm on his cane" he whis-
pered
looked in the direction indicated, and saw
lace whose striking resemblance to one l
ma to cta ,,;tl~
prise.
"Who is it?" 1 asked
Eiridge Parsons" was the reply
The nephew of whom you spoke?"
The same,' my friend answered.
Does he resemble his uncle ?" was on
The point OF inquiring, but just then the stran-
ger drew the glove from his right hand I saw
and the first joint of the middle finger aoas
cGnting, circumstance which, for sufficient
reason, absorbed my attention.
" On leaving the theatre l inquired of nv
friend the exact date Of Mr. Parsons death,
which, though surprised at my question, he
told me occurred on the 23d of December
Next afternoon found me at the Office of
DR.. Parsons.
DR.. Parsons, presume" were the words
with which l accosted the gentleman had
seen at the theatre.
Yes, SIR"
You may not remember me, Doctor, but
believe we have met before"
beg pardon for not recollecting the oc-
casion."
You were in New Orleans last winter were
you not ." W.
Is was" he answered with some embarrass-
ment.
Il am the gentleman on whom you called to
draft will.'
He turned pale, but made no reply.
II saw record of that will in the Surro-
gates office this morning." I resumed. and
" You speak of my uncle's WILL" he hastily
interrupted.
And yet" continued, "you said it was
yours when you applied to have it written.
Yon represented yourself as DESTROYS of exc
cutting such document preparatory to en-
barking on perllous voyage. The paper was
drawn IN accordance with your instructions,
leaving the date to be filled in at the time of
signing. Your locks were gray then, and YOU
certainly looked old enough to have mar
ra2eabie daughter, but your disguise was not |
PerJsct,' ana pointed to the mutilated fin |
ger. ''
What do you mean?" he shouted in de- |
hant tone, springing to his feet.
Simply that your uncle's signature to that |
paper IS torgery,"I answered, rising and |
confronting him. "He died on the tayenty-
m'rd OF December. Your own telegram to
that effect is still in existence. If was on tbe |
you called on me to prepare the paper record
Ell as his will. The inference is plain: YOU |
undertook to manufacture this spurious fiesta: |
ment after your uncle's death. and WISHING
10 ciothe your villainy In legal form, YOU pro.
cured from me the required draft You. or
some one at your instigation, simulated the
signature of the deceased. The witnesses
who have since perured themselves in their
dispositions, were procured in some manner
best known to yourself"
Enough, sir" he calculated, placing his
back against the door; you have shown -FOUR |
sell IN possession of a secret the custody of |
which may prove dangerousn
Il am not unprepared for your threat. |
repl ed. I'm the first place, l did not come |
here unarmed; in the next, have prepared a
Hull written statement of the facts to which I |
nave alluded, with information besides of INV |
present visit to yourself. This paper will be
delivered to the friends to whom it is direct
cd, unless within an hour reclaim it from
the messenger who has been instructed for
that length OF time to retain it,"
His face grew livid. His frame ouiyered |
with mingled fear and rage, and his ewes
gtealned like those OF a wild beast at bay, |
what is your purpose ?" he exclaimed. in a |
voice hoarse with suppressed passion.
10 Keep your secret while you hve," an
swereu, ION condition that you write instant.
~ 10 JULIA Parsons, renouncing all pretensions
10 her hand, and absolutely withd rawSng your
proposal OF marriage"
AFTER moments pause lie seated himself
at MS desk, and hastily penned a briet note,
Wnicn he submitted to my inspection it was
quite satisfactory.
BE SO good as to seal and address it'll
said. He did so. ~
viii see tn At it is delivered" remarked. |
taking it up and bowling myself out.
When met George Dickson that evening.
his old college look Lad come back. He bai
great news to tell me. The next thing was |
to take me to see Julia, and il is needless 10 |
tell what happy evening we three spent to- |
gether, and wlat happy marriage followed |
not long after.
Eldridge Parsons, I have just learned, Join |
ed one OF the late Cuban expeditions, and |
was Killed in recent encounter with the |