The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-01-23
select StOry.
THE MISSING FINGER. JOINT.


II was my first visit to London since
had taken up my abode and entered on
the practice of my profession as solicitor
ct Southampton.
In London l had very dear FRIEND
nv old friend, my college chum' George
Dickson, and, as he was the only person
] knew in the great metropolis, of course
TIostsno, time in looking him up.
Three years had passed since our last
meeting, but ten could have hardly pro-
duced change more marked than had
taken place in the appearance and man
ner of my friend. Our first greetings
and friendly inquiries over, longed, yet
forebore, to ask the cause Of my friends
melancholy. 1 felt sure in due time OF
being made the confdant af the secret
provided no motive or delicacy prompt
cd its conCealment.
That evening, in my room at the motel,
George told me his story de had
formed an attachment for young lady,
whose graces of mind and person he por'
trayed with all the fervor OF a lovers ell
ouuence. She had returned his affection,
but her father had opposed his suit, hav-
ing set his heart on the marriage OF his
daughter to a nephew of his. This
nephew was young surgeon, of protil'
gate character, my friend assured me-
but that may have been preiudice-who
had long but unsuccessfully wooed his
cousin, to whom his offers were as re-
-pugnant as to her father they were ac-
Geptable.
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 with a sudden illness,
which terminated fatally in three days,
On the day preceding his death he had
executed will (which had since been
duly proved by the dispositions OF the
attesting witnesses) containing solemn
request that his daughter, should accept
the hand of his nephew in marriage,
coupled with the provision that in case
the latter offered, and she refused with
in a specified period to enter into the
proposed union, the whole estate devised
for the daughter should be forfeited to
the nephew.
To sacrifice her fortune to her hearts
choice would not have cost Julia Parsons
q moments hesitation; and nothing
could have more delighted George Dick
son than 80 fair an opportunity of show
ing how superior his devotion was to all
thought of personal advantage. But her
fathers dying request, in Julia's eyes,
was sacred. II hadsurprised and stunned,
it is true, for in their conferences on the
subject he had never gone beyond the
most kindly remonstrances, and had new
er hinted at anything like coercion.
Young Parsons, the nephew, had not
the magnanimlty to forego his ungener-
ous advantage. He might have been
content with his cousins fortune alone,
but his right to that depended on his
offer and her rejection to 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 days would witness the
condemnation Of two lives to hopeless
misery.
At the conclusion of my friends mar
rative, in which, for reasons that may
hereafter be developed, l felt peculiar
interest, prevailed upon him to accom-
pany me to a place of amusement, to
which had previously procured tickets.
When we reached the theater the per-
formanCe had already begun, but we sue
Ceeded in finding seats which command
ed fine view both of the stage and the
audience.
In few moments George touched |
my elbow
i0bserve the gentleman nearly oppo.
site, in the front row, seated next in the
column, leaning his arm on his Cane,' he
whispered.
l looked in the direction indicated,
and saw face whose striking resemb.
lance to one had seen before caused me
to start with surprise.
who is itF asked.
'Ethridge Parsons was the reply.
The nephew of whom you spoken
Does he resemble his unCle2 was
on the point of inquiring, but just then
the stranger drew the glove from his
right hand, and I saw that the first
joint of the middle finger was missing,
q circumstance which for sufficient rea-
Sons absorbed my attention.
'DO you know the exact date of Mr..
Parsons death p asked, when we had
gained the street at the close of the
performance.
Yes said George, it was the 23d of
December, His daughter received a
telegram from her cousin announcing
the fact the same day. But why do
you ask p
I have reason which may or may
not prove good one,' returned and
stating that l had business engage.
ments for the whole of the next day l
parted with my friend, promising to
meet him on the following evening.
Next afternoon found me at the house
If Mr.. Parsons the nephew.
'Mr. Parsons, presumed were the
words with which l accosted the gen.
tleman I had seen at the theater.
Yes, sir
You may not remember me Mr.. Par. ,
gons, but believe we have met be-
fore.'