Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1875-03-25
THE MISSING FINGER.JOINT.

It was my first visit to London
since l had taken up my abode and
entered on the practice of my profes-
sion as solicitor at Southampton.
In London / had a very dear
friend, my old college chum, George
Dickson; and as he was the only per-
son 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 a change
more marked than had taken place in
the appearance and manner of my
friend.
Our first greetings and friendly in
quiries over. I longed, yet forebore,
to ask the cause of my friends mel.
ancholy. 1 felt sure, in due time, OF
being made the confident of the Sc
cret, provided no motive of delicacy
prompted its concealment.
That evening, in my room at the
hotel, George told me his story. He
had formed an attachment for a
young lady, whose graces of mind
and person he portrayed with all the
ferver of a lovers eloqnence. 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 surgeon, OF prof
ligate character, my friend assured
me-but that may have been preju-
dice-whO had long, but unsuccess-
fully 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
into Hampshire on business, accom-
panied by his nephew. At South
ampton he had been seized by sud
den illness, which terminated fatally
in three days.
On the day preceding his death he
had executed a will (Which had since
been proved by the dispositions of the
attesting witnesses), 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 provi-
sion that in case the latter offered,
and she refused, within 4 specified
period, to enter into the proposed
union, the entire estate devised to
the daughter should be forfeited to
the nephew.
To sacrifice her fortune to her
hearts choice would not have cost
Julia Parsons a moments hesitation
and nothing could have more delight
ed George Dickson than so fair an
opportunity of showing how superior
his devotion was to all considerations
of personal advantage. But her ia
theirs dying request, in Julia's eyes
was sacred. 1t had surprised and
stunned her, it is true; for, in theil
many conferences on the subject, ht
had never gone beyond the mos
kindly remonstrance, and had never
even limited at anything like coer
cion.
Young Parsons, the nephew, haC
not the magnanimity to forego hi
ungenerous advantage. He NIGH
have been content with his cousins
fortune alone, but his right to tha
depended on his offer and her rejec
tion of an alliance which she felt ii
conscience bound to accept. Th
brief season of grace, which she ha'
been compelled to beg even with tears
had already almost passed, and fe'
more days would witness the con
demnation of two lives to hopeles
misery.
At the conclusion of my friend
narrative, in which, for reasons tina
may hereafter be developed, 1 felt
peculiar interest, l prevailed upo
him to accompany me to place c
amusement, to which l had previous
ly procured tickets.
When we reached the theater, tn
performance had already begun; bu
we succeeded in finding seats whic
commanded a fair view both of tn
stage and the audience.
In few moments George touche
my elbow.
: "Observe the gentleman nearly Of
posite, in the front row, seated neH
the column, leaning his arm on h
. cane, he whispered.
looked in the direction Indicate
and saw a face whose striking resen
blance to one l had seen. befol
u caused me to start with surprise.
"Who is itY' I asked.
"Eldridge Parsons" was the +
ply. 4
, 1.-THE nephew of whom you spoke
"The same,' my friend answere
"Does he resemble his uncle"
. was on the point of inquiring; b.
Just then the stranger drew the glo'
from his right hand. and 1 saw tn
y the first joint Of the middle ting
acas acanting, circumstance whic