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

day, parted with my friend promis
ing meet him on the following even
ing.
Next afternoon found me at the
abode of Mr.. Parsons, the surgeon.
"Mr Parsons, / presumed" were
the words with which / accosted the
man | had seen at the theater.
Yes, sir"
you may not remember me, Mr..
Parsons, but | believe we met before"
II beg your pardon sir, for not rec
collecting the occasion"
You were in Southampton last
winter, we're you not?"
Il was" he answered with some
embarrassment. =
II am the solicitor on whom you
called to take draft Of will"
He turned pale, but made no reply.
saw copy of that will at DR..
Commons this morning" l resumed
"and-"
"You speak Of my uncle's WILL" he
hastily interrupted.
"And yet" l continued, "you said
it was yours when you applied to have
it written. You represented yourself
as desirons Of executing such a docu-
ment preparatory to embarking on a
perilous voyage. The paper was drawn
in accordance with your instructions,
leaving the date to be filed up at the
time of signing, your locks we're grey
then, and you certainly looked old
enough to have manageable daugh-
ter but your disguise was It perfect" "
And [ pointed to the mutilated finger.
"What do you mean? ?" he shouted,
in defiant tone.
simply that your uucle's signature
to that will is a forgery!" l answered,
rising and confronting him. "He
died on the 23d of December. Your
own telegram to that effect is in exist
ence. 1t was on the 9th, the day be.
fore Christmas, that you called on me
to prepare that document now on re-
cord as his will. The inference is
plain you undertook TO manufacture
this spurious testament after your un-
c!e's death, and wishing to clothe
your villainy in legal form, you pro-
cured from me the required draft
You, or some one at instigation, simu-
lated the signature of the deceased.
The witnesses who have since perjured
themselves in their deposition, were
procured in some manner best known
to YOURSELF"
Enough, sir" he calculated, plac-
ing his back against the door; "you
have shown yourselfin possession of a
secret the custody of which may prove
dangerous|
81 ani not unprepared for threats" F"
replied. "In the first place, | did
not come here unarmed, in the next, |
have prepared a full written state
ment of the facts to which | have al
luded, with information, besides of
my present visit to yourself The
paper will be delivered to the friend
to whom it is directed; unless within
an hour l reclaim it from the messen-
ger, who has been instructed for that
length of time to retain it,"
His face grew livid. His frame
quivered with mingled fear and rage,
and his eye cleaned like that of a
wild beast at bay.
"What is your purposes" he ex-
claimed inAa voice hoarse with sup
pressed passion.
ITO keep your secret while you live,
l answered, "on one condition.
"Name it."
"That~you write instantly to Julia
Parsons. renounoing all pretension to
her hand, and absolutely withdraw
ing your proposal Of marriage
After moments pause he hastily
penned a brief note, which he sub
mitted to my inspection; it was quite
satisfactory.
"Be so good as to seal and address
it," ] said.
He did so.
81 will see that it is delivered"
remarked, taking it up and bowing
myself out.
When l met George Dixon that
evening, his old college look haC
come back. He had great news tC
tell me. The next thing was to take
me to see Julia ;sand itlis needless tC
tell what happy evening we three
spent together, and what a happy
marriage followed not long after
Elbridge Parsons, have just learn
ed, emigrated for Australia, on boar'
the London, aud went down in tina
i'll fated ship.
If mechanic or clerk saves onl,
% cents ner dav from the time he |