The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-03-07
THE MISSING FINGER JOINT.


It was my first visit to London Since
| had taken up my abode and entered
on the practice Of my profession as a
solicitor at Southampton.
In London / had very dear friend.
my. old college chum, George Dickson !;
and as he was the only person / knew
in the great metropolis, Of course | lost
no time in looking him ur Three
years had passed since our last meet
ing but ten could scarcely have pro-
duced change more marked than had
taken place in the appearance and
manner Of my friend.
Our first greetings and friendly in
quiries over, / longed, yet feared, to
ask the cause of my friends melau-
choly. | felt sure, in due time, of be.
ing made the confdant of the secret,
provided no motive Of delicacy prompt.
its concealment.
That evening, at my room at the
hotel, George told me bis story. He
had formed an attachment for a young
lady, whose graces of mind and per-
son he portrayed with all the fervor of
lovers eloquence. She had returned
his affection; but her father had op-
posed the suit, having set his heart on
the marriage of his daughter to a neph-
ew Of his. This nephew was a young
surgeon, Of prohigato character, my
friend assured ms-but that may have
been prtj ldica--whe had long, but un-
successfully wooed his cousin, to whom
his prolfers were as repugnant as they
were to her father acceptable.
Some months since, Mr. Parsons, the
young lady's father, had gone into
Hampshire on business, accompanied
by his nephew. At Southampton he
had been seized by a sudden illness,
which terminated fatally in three days.
On the day preceding his death be
had executed will (Which had since
been proved by the deposition of in.
teresting witnesses), containing sol.
emn request that his daughter, to whom
he left the whole Of the estate, should
accept the hand of his nephew in mar
riage coupled with the provisions that
in case the latter offered, and she re-
fused, within specified period to en-
ter 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 Par
sons moments hesitation and moth
ing could have more delighted George
Dickson than so fair an opportunity of
showing how superior his devotion was
to all considerations of personal ad-
vantage. But her fathers dying re-
quest, in Julia's eyes was sacred. 1t
had surprised and stunned her. it is
true for in their many conferences on
the subject, he had never gone beyond
the most kindly remonstrance, and
had never hinted at anything like CO.
Young Parson, the n blew, had not
the magnanil 'ity TO forego his ungen-
erous advantage. 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 few more days
would witness the condemnation of
two lives to hopeless misery.
At the conclusion of my friends
narrative, in which, for reasons that
may hereafter be developed, ] felt a
peculiar interest, | prevailed upon
him to accompany me to place Of
amusement, to which l had previously
procured tickets.
When we reached the theater, the
performances had already begun; but
wesucceeded in finding seats which com
manded q fair view Of both the stage
and audience.
In few moments George touched
my elbow.
"Obserye the gentleman nearly OPP
posite, in the front row, seated next
column, leaning his arm on his cane
he whispered.
[ looked in the direction indicated
and saw a face whose striking re-em
blance to one | had seen before eaus
ed me to start with surprise.
"Who is it," asked
"Elbridge Parsons" was the reply
"The one of whom you spoke?..
"The same" my friend answered.
"Does he resemble his uncle2"
was on the point Of inquiring bu
just then the stranger drew the glo'
from his right hand. and l saw tina
the first joint ofths middle finger wa
wanting, a circumstance which, fo
sufficient reason. absorbed my atten
tion.