Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-11-28
TGTHEN within two week. after

AI HEN within two weeks after
w her fathers death Helen Parker
returned TO Bradyville the wife Of
Millard French. cx-convict, tho social
fabric OF the town certainly was
strained. There always was some
thing dreadfully mysterious about
the Parkers. The community had
whispered about them for half CEN
tury.
But heretofore the gossip had been
founded upon speculation, inspired
chiefly by the exclusiveness main
tained by Philip Parker, the owner OF
the great Parker estate. He had
moved along the pathway OF life,
neither seeking nor giving friendship.
Now the action OF the daughter In
leaving the parental estate and re-
turning few days later, the wife OF
the man who had been convicted of
embezzling from her father after en-
1oying his full trust and confidence,
gave an edge 10 tho gossip which
Bradyville was not slow 10 grasp.
Speculation was easy but facts diffi-
cult to obtain, for the newly mar
rfed pair had secluded themselves
provokingly in the privacy OF their
estate. Whsreupon Brsdyvillo gave
full vent to its Imagination and its
tongues.
But II Bradyville had only known
the truth II would have realized what
puerile fancles these whispered tales
were. For back Of the Incidents upon
which the people were trying to CON
struct scandal was series OF the
most thrilling OF tragedies. I tell OF
them now, knowing that the recital
can do no living person any harm.
Parker was the son OF an English
gentleman-a second son-and no
came 20 America to enjoy possibil-
tiles his unfortunate sequence In
birth denied him In his own country.
He acquired q landed estate, the value
Of which increased with the years.
Upon his fathers death he was
well-educated, handsome, proud-spir-
tied youth, with an ample income, an
inherited self-esteem and pride OF an
oestry and consuming passion
(born, perhaps, OF his fathers long
repression OF the pride OF birth) to
keep his name above and beyond the
familiarity OF the common people
about him. He despised and dis
dained the simple folk OF the COM
munity. He fulflled his duties as n
citizen and was prodigal In his char
ity, but he kept his fellows at dis
tance. He married when well along
In years, and before his wifes death
she presented him with daughter.
For many years these two, with tho
servants, were the only mombcrs Of
the great house.
One day In 1884, when Philip Parker
WAS IS years OF age, he was IN
Bradyville attending 10 some bust.
ness when the first incident In this
series OF tragedies took place. II was
the week OF the county fair and the
town was throngcd with people. Late
h the afternoon Parker entered the
tavern, ms was his custom. 10 drink
q mug Of ale before returning TO his
home. STho room was Allied with n
rolstering crowd. Among them was
Peter Mack, a cattle buyer who
prided himself on his shrewdness In
driving a bargain and on hi. personal
strength. Catching sight Of Parker,
who was always immoculately dressed
and whose aristocratlc face betrayed
Indifference 10 the crowd, Mack
lurched toward him and greeted him
with offensive familiarity. Referring
TO a recent purchase OF cattle. Mack
with snecr told Parker how he had
bettertd him.
aye think ye are tho whole thing
with yer white face and womnn's
hands and yer money" said he. with
an oath, but ye amt man enough 20
deal with Peter Mack
Parkcr's face never changed express.
sion as he replied in an even voice:
"Heing in the habit OF dealing with
honest people, do not watch the
person with whom trade. However,
-, ,ns.- Legations 20 you for. In.
forming me that you are thief. and
shall give orders to set the dogs on
you should you ever enter my prem.
ts,s AGAIN"
The crowd stood aghnst Mack
was the bully" OF the county, was
always looking for trouble and his
voice and stature were terrors to
timid souls: The cool insult OF Park