South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-07-28
Bold Stroke for a Wife,
BY JUDGE CLARKE.

III lhe CITY OF New DIRK L had very
dear friend, my old chum and classmate,
George Dickson, ond as be was the only
person knew in the metropolis, of course
| lost no time in looking him up.
Three years had passed since our last
meeting, but ten could scarcely have produ-
ced change more marked than had taken
/ pllce in the appearance and manner of my
( old fricnl
Our first greeting and friendly inquiries
over, lonEed, yet foreborc, to ask the cause
of my friends melancholy. felt sure, in
due time, of being made the confdant of
| the secret, provided no motive of delicacy
| prompted it's concealment.
That evening, in my room at the hotel,
/ George told me his story. He had formed
an attachment for young lady, whose grace
OF mind and person he portrayed with all
the forvor Of a lawyers eloquence. She
had returned his affection, but her father
had opposed the suit, having set bis heart
on the marriage of his daug glitter to a nephew
of hia.
This nephew was a young physician, of
/ prohigate character, my friend assured me
but thar may have been prcjudice--who
| had long but unsuccessfully wooed his cous-
IN, to whom his protters were as repugnant
as to her father they were acceptable.
/ Some months since, Mr.. Parson, the
young ledy's father, had gone South on bu.
sinoss, acco upanied by his nephew. at
| New Orleans he bad been seized by sudden
| Illness, which terminated fatally in three
| days.
On the day preceding bis death he had
executed a will, (Which had since been duly
/ proved by the deposition of the attcstin:,
witness,) containing a solemn request, that
his daughter, to whom he left the whole es
tate, should accept the baud of his nephew
10 marriage, coupled with provision that
IN case the latter offered, and she refused
within specified period to enter inro the
proposed union, the entire estate devised TO
the daughter should be forfeited to the ne.
phew.
10 sacrifice her fortune to her hearts
choice would not have cost Julia Parson a
moments hesitation, aud nothing could
have more delighted George Dickson than
so fair an opportunity of showing how SUI
pcrior his devotion was TO oil considerations
Of personal advantages. But her fathers
dying rcqucst, in julius eyes, was sacred.
II had surprised and stunned her, as he had
never gone beyond the most kindly remon-
STRANGE, aud had never limited at anything
like coercion.
Young Parson had not the magnaumity
30 tnrcgo his ungenerous advantage He
might have been content with his cousins
fortune alone, but his right to that depend
cd on his offer and her rejection Of an ALI
anco which she felt in conscience bound TO
accept. The brief season Of grace, which .
she hal been compelled to beg even with
tears, had already almost pas ed, and few I
days would witness the condemnation of two
lives, to hopeless misery.
\ tho conclusion of my friends nara
tive, IN which, for reasons that may hereaf /.
ter be developed, felt peculiar interest,
] preyfilad upon him to accompany me to |
place Of amusement, to which had pre-
yious'y procured tickets.
When we bad reached the theatre the .
performance had begun, hut we succeeded .
10 finding seats which commanded fair .
Wow Of the stage and audience.
In few moments George touched my
elbow.
Observe the gentleman nearly opposite,
in front Of the plrquettc, seated next the .
column leaning hls arm on bis cane he .
whispered
In looking in The direction indicated .
saw face whose striking resemblance TO
one had seen before, caused me to start
10 surprise
who is it = asked
'Ellriico Prs1D,' was The reply
The young physisilu Of whom wo have
been srgabincH
'IHe -1mo,' my friend answered
I'D .a- he resemble his uncle - I was ON
'lc p.int of iuItjriue, hut jus, then the
STRANGER drow .ar glove from his right band
anl saw Chat Tic Grst joint Of tho mi8II.
finger was wanting. which absorbed NY at
tcrtnn.
do you know tho exact date Of NIr. Par
SONS death 2 I asked, whom we bad gained
tHe street at The close Of The pcrform1uce.
yes said George, SO was The 23l OF De-
eoma.r lis daughter received Telegram
from Der cousin announcing tho fact tbs
anne day. But Why DO you ask =
ID havo araasnn which may or may not
prove good one, ! returned, stating that
bad business engagements for The whole
day. ] parted from my friend, PROMISING
to m..t hlm ou thc following evening
Next afternoon found inc OF the Office Of
DR.. plrson
DE- PrroU, presume = were The words
With which | accostcd the gentleman had
seen o. tho theatre.
'Yes, SIR
You may not remember me, Doctor, but
} believe we have met before
4 beg pardon, sir, for not rccollecting
Che occasion
You were I'M New Orleans last winter