The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-04-27
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George Dickson as he MAS the eniy per
s9n knew 10 The great metropolis, Of
course ost no tune in booking him up.
Three years bad passed since our last
meeting; but ten could scarcely have
produced change more marked than
bsd taken place ia the appearance aud
mapner Of my old friend.
Our first greetings aud friendly en-
qnirles over, lopged, yet forbore, TO ask
tie cause Of my friends melancholy. |
felt sure, IN due time, Of being made The
ooufldant Of the secret, provided no mo-
| tive Of delIesey prompted lie conceal
meut.
That eveaing, IN my room al the hotel
George told me bis story. lie had formed
an attachment for young lady, whose
graces OF mind aud person be portrayed
with all the fervor ofs lovers eloquence.
She had returned his affection, but her
father had opposed his suit, having set
bis heart on the marriage Of his daughter
to a nephew Of bis. The nephew was a
young surgeon of prohigA,e character, my
friend assured me-but that may have
been prejudice-who bad long but nm
successfully wooed his cousin TO whom
bis offers were as repugnant as to her
father they were acceptable.
Some months since, Mr.. Parsons, the
young lady's father, had gone into Hamp-
shire on business, accompanied by his
nephew. At Southampton he had been
seized by sudden illness, which lermi-
mated fatally in three days.
On the day preceding his death be had
executed will (Which bad since been
duly proved by the depositions Of the at
testing 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 the provision that in case
the latter offered, and sbe refused, within
specified period, 10 enter into the pro-
posed 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
moments hesitation; and nothing
could have more delighted George Dick
son than so fair an opportunity of show
! ing how superior his devotion was to all
considerations OF personal advantage
But her fathers dying request, in Juia's
eyes, was sacred. 1t had surprised and
stunned her, it is true; for in their many
conferences on this subject he had never
gone beyond the most kindly remon-
STRANGE, and had never even hinted at
anything like coercion.
Young Parsons, the nephew, had not
the magnanimity to forego bis ungener-
GUS advantage. He might haye been
coutent with his Cousins fortune alone,
but bis right TO that depended on his offer
and her rejection Of an alliance which
she felt in conscience bound to accept
The brief season Of grace, which she had
been compelled TO beg even with tears,
+ had already almost passed, and few
more short days would witness the con-
demnation of two lives to hopeless mis-
Il cry.
h At the conclusion of my friends narra-
tive, in which, for reasons that may here
after be developed, felt peculiar inter-
ost, prevailed upon him to accompany
80 10 a .,lana IF amuaamant IN W hich |
bad previously procured tickets.
4, When we reached the theatre the per-
formance had already begun; but we
succeeded in finding seats which com.
mAuded fair view both of the stage and
audience.
In few moments George touched my
elbow.
Observe the gentleman nearly oppo.
site in the front row, seated next to the
column, leaning his arm on his cane, he
whispered.
looked in the direction indicated, and
saw face whose striking resemblance TO
one had seen before, caused me to start
with surprise.
2 2 Who is IL? Iasked.
{ Eldrdge Parsons, was the reply.
+. The nephew Of whom you spoke5
d The same, my friend answered.
Does he resemble his uncleY was on
The point of inquiring, but just then the
stranger drew the glove from his right
hand, and saw that the first joint of the
middle finger was wanting, circum
stance which, for sufficient reason, sb
sorbed my attention.
DO you know the exact date of Mr.
Parsons death? asked when we had
gained the street, at the close OF the per
formance.
: Yes, said George; II was the twenty
third Of December, his daughter receiy'
ing telegram from her cousin announc
Ing the fact the same day. But why dC
you sskI
have reason which may or may no
prove a good one, | returned, aud, stat
ing that | had business engagements ioi
+ tie whole Of the next day, parted viii
my friend, promising to meet him on lh
following evening.
Next afternoon found me al the abod,
Of Mr.. Parsons, the nephew.
Mr. Parsons, ! presume; were ID
words with which accosted the gentle
man | had seen at the theatre.
r. Yes, sir.
Yon may not now remember me, Mr.
Parsons, but | believe we have met be
/. fore,