The Arkansas banner., 1849-10-30
From PstsrsOa's Magazine. 1
 Ny PiFxt LOye,

Ny First Love.
 There are probably but few uieu among us ito say nothing of fine womenJ who have not some blessing recoiectons Of n school boy passion. For my part, frankly confess that l not of that f.v With the memory of the time when 1 used to study at nights, that might devote the day. school hours and all, to innocent amuseinents sach A. nayinv .sfox and geese, and t'tick taeks tO '' behind the teachers back, and sliding down hill. snappiBg the whip and playing ball during the in- tsrTnissiOn-with the memory or that happy time, say. is associated ths "reminiscences Of . boyish levs had my Mary, and was as devoted to her ns ever Byrou was to his. l was her companion, her servant aud her poet. We went together to get asgrou nd nuts," to pick up beech nuts. and to dig ssssafras roots ia the woods used 10 go for water when she was thirsty, and to hold her bonnet when she wished to crawl through hotes la the fence. was with her continually, whether 1t her pleasure to to jump the rope, or 10 wander across the fields.
 During the school hours, was no, less ate ntive to my Mary 1 was thinking of her when should have be thinking of my iessioas. and when should have been writing 'copiss," was sending her billes donx to her the school house, or keeping up tender correspondence with her ou states. Of course, my first attempt at poetry sisted of Verses 10 Mary"
 The teachers sometimes used to lei 20 out of doors and study during the pleasant weather. either because they believed us when asserted that we
  what Is more probable, because they were anxious to get as many of the noisy pessable out of the way. At any rate, they used to permit the girs, two or three in numbeF, to take their books end sit the grass on one side of the school house, snd the boys to enjoy the privilege on the other I is needless to say that the girls and boys had an unaeeoantable y@rning to disohey the teachers, and get together and that, on such occa sions, l was always to be found on the rr0ae side of the school house, chatting pretty sentiments" to my Mary.
 That loved my Mary with all the strength aud purity of which the young and untaught heart is capable, ii is my sincere belief, that l have not a doubt but that she reciprOca;ed my tenderness.- But she fond of mischief, and delighted to torment me with jealousy. This she was we'll able so do for had rival, who was almost as assdions in his attentions myself. Fred B - there before me; aud when 1 arrived 1 foand him ana Mary quite too intimate terms 10 suit my jealous nature.
 The candles were lighted. Mary sat on one of the front seats, with broad table directly before her, and Fred, at the extremity of the table, by which he prevented from making any very approaches 10 the object of our loiat attS~.. meat.
 While the few scholars who had arrived were enjoying themselves exceeding before the evening exercise commenced. sat apart, gloomy and silent, watching with jealous, angry eye, the movements of my Tisa. At length, to my infinite relief, Fred
 
 left alone. She beckoned to me 10 aud sit with her but ] meant 10 make her feel my sentment aud much as wished 10 speak to her, l scruPulously turned my eyes to another quarter of the house.
 Soon the candies were blown out by some mis- chievoas scholars, and the room was involved in total darkness.
 "Now," thought 1 forgetting my resentment. "now is the time 10 make up with Mary.
 In a moment, was by her side The table pre-. vented ms from approaching too closely, but l whispered her name, aud reaching over, succeeded In getting hold of her hand 1 heard shUfing-I felt that she removing lny hAnd from the one held of hers to the other; and then felt gentle squeeze. My heart ieaped to my throat with pleas urable emotion. returned the pressure, and was delighted to feel her fair hand squeeze mine with greater ardor than before forgot Fred. B-- in . moment.
 "DO you love me1' whispered, psssionateIy.
 Dearly" was the reply. "Oh. am but loo happy' l sighed.
 "But, you do not love me, heard, in another whisper.
 'You know dom' I exclaimed, almost speaking aioud,-"you know l do!'
 The fair hand which held my squeezed il harder than before. Indeed, l was about pushing the table aside. that might approach my Mary more nearly and embrace her, Wheu-a candle war lighted
 "Ha ha! ha!' laughed light. ringing voice directly behind me.
 started in surpriss-for that was Mary's voice 1 looked for her tn the seat she occupied a moment before, but she not there; and the hand hat been squeezing so ardentiy-that hand, reader ioa' he hand of nay yi1ai'
 Like myself, hs had flown to Mary's side the moment the lights were exiinguished; and she ha' managed, after placing my hand within that of my rival 10 glide out of her seat unobserved An thus she had Ief Us, whispering love to each other aad squeezing each others hand across the table