The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-03-25
Bold Strike for a Wife
BY JUDGE CLARK

on the practlce OF my profession Il
New Orleans.
In the city of New York 1 had /;
very deer friend, my old chum anC
class mate, George Dickson, and a
he was the only person 1 knew in th,
great metsopolis, of course 1 lost NJ
time in looking his up.
Three years had passed since oul
last meeting, but ten could scarcely
have produceda a change more marked
than had taken place in the appeal
ance and manner ofmy friend,
Our first greetings and friendly
inquiries over 1 longed, yet forbore
to ask the cause Of my friends mel
anchOly. 1 felt sure, in due time, OF
being made the confident of the
secret provided no motive Of delieacy
prompted its concealment.
That evening, in my room at the
hotel, George told me his story
He had formed an attchment for {
young lady, whose grace of mint
and person he portrayed with all the
fervOr Of a LAWYERS eloquenee. She
had returned affection but her father
had opposed his suit having set hi:
heart on the marriage of his daugh
ter to a nephew Of his.
This nephew was a young physi
can, of prohigate character, my
friend assured me-but that may have
been preiudice-who had long but
unsuccessfully wOoed his cousin, to
whom his profers were asrepugnant
as to her father they were accepta-
BILE.
Some months since, Mr.. Parson
the young lady's father, had gone
South on business, accompanied 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 executed a will, (which had
since been duly proved by the de-
position Of the attesting witness, J
containing a solemn request that his
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 lat
ter offered, and she refused within a
specified period, to enter into pro-
posed union, the entire estate dew
ised to the daughter should be for
feited to the nephew.
To sacrifice her fortune to her
hearts choice would not have cost
Julia Parson a moments hesitation
and nothing could have more delight
ed George Dickson, than so fair an
opportunity of showing how superb
or his devotion was to all consider
ations Of personal advantage. But
her fathers dying request, in Julia's
eyes was sacred. 1t had surprised
and stunned her, he had never gone
beyond the most kindly remonstrance
and had never limited at anything
like coercion.
Young Parsons had not the mag
to forego his ungenerous
advantage. He might have been
content with his cousins fortune
alone, but his right to that depend
ed on his offer and her rejection of
an alliance which she felt conscience
bound to accept. The brief season
of grace, which she had been com
PEELED to beg even with tears, had al
ready almost passed, and a few more
would witness the condemnation of
two lives to hopeless misery.
At the conclusion Of my friends
narrative, in which, for reasons that
may hereafter be developed, 1 felt
a peculiar interest, prevailed upon
him to accompany me to a place of
to which I had previous
ly procured tickets.
When we reached the theater, the
performance had begun, but we sue
ceeded in finding seats which com
manded a fair view of the stage and
the audience.
In few moments George touched
my elbow.
"Observe the gentleman nearly
opposite, in front of the parquette,
seated next the column, leaning his
arm on his cane he whispered.
In looked in the direction indicat-
ed and saw a face whose striking
to one 1 had seen be-
fore caused me to start with sur
prise.
"Who is it," I asked.
"Eldride Parsons" was the reply.
THE young physician Of whom
we have been speakingE"
The same" my friend answered.
Does he resemble his uncle? 1
was on the point of inqniring but
lust then the strangeR drew the glove
from his right hand, and I saw that
the first Joint of the middle finger
was wanting which absorbed my
"Do YOU know the exact date of
Mr.. Parsons death:' / asked, when
we had gained the street at the close
Of the performance.
Yes, said George, it was the 23d
Of December. His daughter received
a telegram from her cousin announc-
ing the fact the same day.-But why
do you ask
i have a reason which may or
may not prove a good one l return
ed, and stating that 1 had business
for the whole of the
day, Iparted with nay friend, promls-
inc to meet him on the following
Next afternoon found me at the
office Of DR.. Parsons.
Dr. Parsons, presumeE were the
words with which ! accosted the
gentleman l had seen at the theatre.
q Yes, sir.
You may not remember me, Doc
tor, but / believe that we have met
before.
/ beg pardon. sir, for not recol-
Letting the occasion.
You were in New Orleans last
winter were you not?
Twas, he said, with some en-
baTrassmeHt,