The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-05-07
THE MISSING FiNGER-JO!NT,

HE MISSING FiNGER-JO.NT.
1t was my first visit to London since
had taken up my abode and entered OH the
practice of my profession as solicitor at
Southampton.
In London 1 had very dear friend, my
old college chum, George Dickson and as
he was the only person knew in the great
metropolis, of course l lost no time in look
ing him up. Thee years had passed since
our last meeting but ten could scarcely
have produced change more marked in
the appearance and manner of my friend
Our first greetings and friendly inquiries
over l longed, yet feared, to ask the cause
of my friends melancholy. l felt sure, in
due time, of being made the confidant of
the secret, provided no motive of delicacy
prompted its concealment
That evening, at my room at the hotel,
George told me his story. He had formed
an attachment for young lady, whose
graces of mind and person he portrayed
with all the fervor Of a lovers eloquence
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 profligate character, my friend
assured me--but that may have been pre-
judice-who had long, bnt unsuccessfully,
wooed his cousin, to whom his proffers were
as -epugnant as they were to her father
acceptable.
Some months since, Mr.. Parsons, the
young lady's father, had gone into lamp
shire on business, accompanied by his
nephew. At Southampton he had been
seized by sudden illness, which termina-
ted fatally in three days.
On the day preceding his death he had
executed a will (Which had since been
proved by tie dcpositions of attestinc 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 the pro-
vision that in case the latter offered and
she refused, within a 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 delighted George Dickson than
so fair an opportunity of showing how su-
pcrior his devotion was to all considerations
of personal advantage. But her fathers
dying request, in Julia's eyes, was sacred.
1t had surprised and stunned her. it is true:
for their
ject, he had never gone beyond the most
kindly remonstrance, and had never limited
at anything like coercion,
Young Parsons, the nephew had not the
maguanmity to forego his ungenerous ad-
vantage. 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 in consequence
bound to accept. The brief season of grace
which she had been compelled to beg, even
with tears, had already almost passed, and
a few more days would witness the con-
demnation of two lives to hopeless misery.
At the conclusion of my friends nara
tive, in which, for reasons that may here
after be developed fe.t peculiar interest,
prevailed upon him to accompany me to
a place of amusement, to which had pre-
viously procured tickets.
When we reached the theater. the per-
formance had already begun but we sue
ceeded in finding seats which commanded
fair view both of the stage and the audi
ence.
In few moments George touched my
elbow.
''Observe the gentleman nearly opposite
in the front row, seated next to the column.
leaning his arm on his cane" he whispered.
/ looked in the direction indicated. and
saw a face whose striking resemblance to
one had seen before caused me to start
with surprise.
''Who is it ?'' asked.
''Elbridge Parsons" was the reply.
Tho one of whom you spoke ?''
The same" my friend answered.
docs he resemble his uncle ?'' was on
Tue point OF inquiring but just then the
stranger drew the glove from his right
hand, and l saw that the first Joint of the
middle finger was wantinr-a circumstance
which, for sufficient reasons. absorbed nv
attention.