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,
nv. old college chum, George Dickson
and as he was the only person l knew
in the great metropolis, of course lost |
no time in looking him UT. Three |
years had passed since our last meet /
inc; 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 melan-
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 his story. lie
had formed an attachment for young
lady, whose graces of mind and per-
son he portrayed with all the fervor of
n 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 young
surgeon, of prohigste character, my
friend assured me-but that may have
been prei ldice-who had long, but un-
successfully wooed his cousin, to whom
his profers were as repugnant as tney
were to her father acceptable.
Some months since, Mr.. Parsons, the
Young lady's father, had gone into
= Hamnshire on business, accompanied
bv his nephew. At Southampton he
had been seized by 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, shoult
accept the hand of his nephew in mar
riage coupled with the provisions tha
in case the latter offered, and she re
: fused. within a specified period to Ell
ter into the proposed union, the entire
estate devised to the daughter shoul(
be forfeited to the nephew.
To sacrifice her fortune to her heart
I. choice would not have cost Julia Par
: sons a moments hesitation and moth
inc could have more delighted Georg
Dickson than so fai: an opportunity
showing how superior his devotion wa
to all considerations Of personal nd
vantage. But her fathers dying re
quest, in Julia's eyes was sacred.
had surprised and stunned her, 1T
true; for in their many conferences o
the subject, he had never gone beyon
the most kindly remonstrance, an
had never limited at anything like CO
As ercion. O.
Young Parson, the ne phew, had nj
= the magnanii oity TO forego his ungel
erous advantage. He might hay
been content with his cousins fortul
alone but his right to that dependt
on his offer and her rejection Of 8
alliance which she felt in consequen
bound to accept. The brief season
grace. which she had been compell'
,SJg nJ to beg even with tears, had alrea(
almost passed, and few more da
would witness the condemnation
two lives to hopeless misery.
: AT the conclusion Of my FRIEND
narrative, in which, for reasons tn
p may hereafter be developed, felt
! ! peculiar interest, | prevailed up
him to accompany me to place
amusement, to which l had previous
=, procured tickets.
When we reached the theater,
IN performances had already begun
~ wesucceeded in finding seats which co
manded fair view of both the sta
"A. and audience.
In a few moments George tOucl
i'o' my elbow.
i'Obserye the gentleman nearly
posite, in the front row, seated II
the column, leaning his arm on his can
,rcd ,,,1i he whispered.
ms, I looked in the direction indicat
see and saw face whose striking res
blance to one | had seen before cf
ed me to start with surprise.
has w no Is IL, uSAeu'
arge "Elbrldge Parsons, was lue Ie
all "The one of whom you spoke?..
1aar amp 'The same" my friend answered
docs he resemble his uneleY
D was on the point Of inqairing !;
rors lust then the stranger drew the !
,nts, from his right hand. and l saw
and the first joint ofthe middle finger
nced wanting, -,
York, sufficient reason, aOsofoeu my al
tions tion.