Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-12-10
Mr.. Parsons Will.

1t was my first visit to London since
had taken up my abode and entered on the
practice of my profession as solicitor al
Southampton.
In London had very dear friend, my
old college friend, George Dickson; and as
he was the only person knew in the great
metropolis, of course lost no time in look
ing him up.
Three years had passed since our last
meeting, but ten could have scarcely pro-
duced change more marked than had
taken place in the appearance and manner
of my friend.
Our first greeting and friendly inquiries
over, l longed, yet forbore, to ask the
cause of my friends melancholy. l felt
sure, in due time, of being made the con-
fdant of the secret, provided no motive of
delicacy prompted its concealment.
That evening in my room at the hotel,
George told me his story. He had formed
an attachment for.a young lady, whose
graces of mind and person he portrayed
with all the fervor of lovers eloquence.
She had returned his affection, but her
father had opposed his suit, having set his
heart on the marriage of his daughter to
nephew of his.
This nephew was a young surgeon, OF
prohigate 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 repug-
nant 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 was seized
with a sudden illness, which terminated
fatally in three days.
On the day preceding his death he had
executed a will (Which had since been duly
proved by the depositions of the attes.ng
witness. Containing a request that his
daughter, to whom he left the whole OF MS
estate, should accept the hand OF his
nephew in marriage, coupled with the pro-
vision that in case the latter offered, ana
she refused within a specified time to enter
into the proposed union, the whole estate
devised for the daughter should beforfelted
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 Dickson than
so fair an opportunity of showing no"
superior his devotion was to all throught
of personal advantage. But her fathers
diving request, in Julia's eyes, was sacred
It had surprised and startled her, 1t Is true,
as in their conferences on the subject he
had never gone beyond the most kindly re-
and had never limited at any
thing coercion.
Young Parsons, the nephew, had not the
mar-nanimity to forego his ungenerous ad-
VANTAGE. He might have been content
with his Cousins fortune alone, but MS
RIGHT to that depended on his offer and her
rejection of an alliance which she felt In
conscience bound to accept. The brief sea
con of grace which she had been compelled
70 beg even with tears had already nearly
nassed. and few more days would VIII
ness the condemnation of two lives to nope
less misery.
At the conclusion of my friends MARIA
i've in which, for reasons that may mere
after be developed, felt peculiar interest
prevailed upon him to accompany me 70
a p,aee of amusement to which hao pre-
viously procured tickets,
When we reached the theatre the pei
torn,ance had already begun, but we sue
aoodeo in finding seats which commandea
: sno view botn of the stage and the audi
ence. .oohed me-
on the elbow.
"Observe the gentleman nearly opposite
n the front row, seated next to the Column
Io.n;no his arm on his cane" ," he Whispered
Looked in the direction indicated anu
cow . face whose striking resemblance 10
one bsd seen before caused me 10 S'Ai'
with surprise.