Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1871-07-27
sflfet Story.
A BOLD STROKE.

1t was my first visit North since I
had taken up my abode and entered on
the practice of my profession in New
Orleans.
In the city of New York / had a
very dear friend, my old schum and
classmate, George Dickson; and as he
was the only person i 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
produced change more marked than
had taken place in the appearance aud
manner of my friend.
Our first greeting and friendly in
Iquiries over, longed, yet forbOre, to
ask the cause of my friends melan-
choly. l feltsure in due time, of. be-
ing1nade the confidant of the secret,
provided no motive of del;cacy promp-
ted its cOncealment.
That evening in my room at the hO-
tel, George told me his story. He had
formed attachment for a yonng lady,
whose grace of mind and person he
portrayed with all the fervor of "a low
er's eloquence. She had returned his
affection, but her father opposed his
suit, having set his heart on the mar
riage of his daughter to a nephew OF
his. -sls
This nephew was young physician
| OF profigate character, my friend as
sured me-but that may have been pre-
Ijudice-who had long unsucceSsfully
wooed his cousin, to whom his proffers
were as repugnant as to her father they
were acceptable.
Some months since Mr.. Parsons, 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 ia
tally in three days.
| \ On the day preceding his death he
had executed a will (Which had since
been duly proved by the disposition of
Iemn request that his daughter, to
should accept the hand of his nephew
| in marriage, coupled with provision
that in case the latter offered and she
refused within specified period, to en-
ter into proposed union, the entire es-
tate devised to the daughter should be
forfeited to the nephew.
| To sacrafce her fortune to her hearts
choice would not have cost Julia Par
sons moments hesitation, and moth
ing could have more delighted George
Dickson, than so fair an opportunity of
showing how superior his devotions to
personal advantage. But her fathers
dying request, in Julia's eyes was sa-
cred. Ithad surprised and stunned her,
it is true, for in their many conferences
on the subject, had never even gone be-
yond the most kindly remonstrance,
and had never even limited anything
like coercion.
Young Parsons had not the magnan-
unity to forego his ungenerous advan-
tage. 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
fell in conscience bound to accept. The
brief season of grace, which she had
been compelled to get even with tears,
had already almost passed, and few
more days would witness the condem-
nation Of two lives to hopeful misery.
p AT the conclusion of my friends
narrative, in which, for seasons that
may hereafter be developed, I felt a
peculiar interest, / prevailed upon to
accompany me place of amusement
to which had previously procured
tickets. s s f5TEt is
When we reached the theatre, the
performance had already begun; but
we succeeded in finding seats which
commanded a fair view both of the
stage and the audience.
In few moments George touched
my elbow. te
Observe the gentleman nearly op-
posite in frontg Of the parquette, seat
ed next the column, leaning his arm
on his cane,' he whispered.
{ / looked in that direction indicated
and saw the face whose striking re-
semblance to one had seen before
caused me to start with surprise.
who is it?' l asked.
'Eldrige Parson, was the reply.
'The nephew of whom you spoke?
THE same,' my friend answered.
Does he resemble his uncle? l was
on the point ofinquiring, but just then
stranger drew the glove from his right
hand, and saw that the first joint Of
tbemidCIJe JSatger, acds aOGnting, cir
cumstance which, for sufficient reasons
absorbed my attention.
do you know the exact date of Mr..
Parsons deathT asked, when we had
gained the street at the close of the per-
formance, -
YES said George. st was the twen-
ty-third of December. His daughter !