Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-05

other relatives would contest the will when
the old lady died. As O'Shea WAS equally in
terested with his wife in upholding the va
lidity of the will he became profoundly
alarmed at the accusations of forgery
against his wife. lie knew how dalrae-
ing it would be to her position in defending
the will unless it was refuted, therefore he
had the most difficult card to play. for while
preserving his attitude of disapproval
toward his wife for her relations with Par
nell, he had to express the most genuine in
dignation at the slur cast upon her in re-
gard TO the disputed check. Those who
who have seen the letters that passed be-
tween O'Shea and his wife at that period
declare that it reflects the highest credit OF.
his diplomatic abilities that ne skated yer
the ice with the most signal agility. The
charge of forgery was OF course
rebutted, but it had its sequel in
the subsequent troubles Of Parnell,
which really did more to shake the
allegiance of his followers than anything
since his disposition. His secretary, Henry
Campbell, brought an action last summer
against Cork newspaper in which he had
been charged with the deteStable work of
hiring houses at Eastbourne and elsewhere
to enable ParneI and Mrs. O'Shea TO carry
on their intrigueS.
Campbell swore on the stand that he
never had done anything of the sort. When
some letters and kilograms were handed up
to him purporting to have been sent by him
he swore that they were not his, that he
never heard of their existence until
their present production. 1t was
further stated that the documents
were written by Mrs. O'Shea. To the
amazement of everyone, a couple of days
after the jury had awarded Campbell dam
ages for this libel Parnell sert his famous
letter to the press, in which he questioned
Campbell'S testimony and asserted that
Campbell had allowed his name to be used
in house transactions, though under the
impression that the only person interested
in them was Parnell himself.
The use of Campbell's name in this con-
nection, even though it were unauthorized,
was, after all, a venal offense, as it could
never have been imagined that it would
compromise Campbell in any way what
ever. Therefore it seemed all the more
astounding that Parnell should sacri-
fee Campbell, the most devoted
friend he ever had. But the key to
the mystery is supplied by the previous
contretemps over the check. The imputa-
ton OF forgery implied in the return of the
check was disproved, but it is quite evident
that it would seem much more credible to
jury If it could be shown that on another
occasion Mrs. O'Shea used Campbells
name without his authority, though in
merely formal way. That, at least, IS the
only apparent explanation of Parnells
action in this connection. It showed how
chivalrous was his devotion to the lady who
afterwards became his wife. The
stating of these facts is merely
anticipating the evidence in the Will
suit, in which they will form very impor-
tart item. The trial is set down for early
in November. The only thing likely to in
terfere with it is the serious condition of
Mrs. Parnell's health. This is causing her
friends grave alarm lest she should soon
follow her husband to the grave.