Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-11-17
From Peterson's Magazine
NJ I F | r S L l. 0 V f. =,
A Tale Of School. .Dqus.

There are probably but few men among US ito
say nothing of the womenD who have not some
pleasing recollections of a boy passion
For my part, frankly confess that | am not of
that few. With the memory of the time when |
used to study at nights, that | might devote the
day, school hours and all, innocent amusements,
such playing 'fox and geese" and ti-tat.tow, -
behind the teachers back, and sliding down hill
swapping the whip, and playing ball during the
ntermlssIon-wlth the memory of that happy
time, ] say, is associated the reminiscence of a
boyish love. had my Mary, and | was as de.
voted 10 her as ever Byron was to his. | was her
companion, her servant, and her post. We went
together TO get ''ground nuts TO pick up beech
nuts, and to dig sassasras roots in the woods.
used 10 90 for water when she was thirsty and TO
hold her bonnet when she wished to craw throue h
holes in the fence. was with her continually.
whether it was her pleasure to seesaw, to Jump
the rope, TO wander across the fields.
During the school hours, was not less attentive
10 my Mary" was thinking of her when
should have been thinking of my lessons. a nd when
should have been writing I" copies;' | was send
ing billedoux her across the school house. Cd
states. OF course, my first attempt at poetry
consisted of Verses to Mary"
The teachers sometimes used 10 let US 60 out
doors and stud during the pleasant weather. either
because they believed US when we asserted thai
we could learn lessons quicker in the open air
or, what is more probable, because they were
anxious to get many Of the noisy ones as pos
sible out of the way. AT any rate, they used TO
pc rmit the girls two three in number, TO Ia Ike
their books and sit on the grass one side of the
school-house, and the boys to enjoy the same pri-
vege on the other. 1t Is needless TO say that the
girls and boys had unaccountabe yearuing TO
disobey the teachers, and get together; and that
on such occasions, | was always TO be found on
the wrOng side of the school house, chatting pretty
sentiments 20 my Mary.
That | loved my Mary with all the strength
and purity of which the young and untaught heart
is capable, it is my sincere belief, and | have no,
doubt but that she reciprocated my tenderness.
But she was fond of mischief, and delighted to
torment me with jealousy. This she was well
able to do, for | had a rival who was almost as
assiduous in his attentions myself. Fred.
B. gay young spark. and was hor-
rIbly Jealous of him, the more so, when Mary
would sometimes leave my society for bis.
One night there =" spelling Mary
promised me that she would be at the school-house
early, and of course | went 10 meet her, and enjoy
short season of tenderness before the evening
exercises began. But | was destined to suffer
some chagrin. Fred. B was there before
me, and when arrived found him nd Mary on
quite too intimate terms TO sut my Jealous ma ire.
The candles were lighted Mary sat one OF the
front seats, with broad table directly before her,
and Fred. was at the extremity Of the table, by
which he was prevented from making any very
near approaches TO the object of our joint attach
ment.
While the few scholars who had arrived were
enjoying themselves exceedingly y before the even
ing exercises commenced, | sat apart, gloomy and
silent, watching with jealous, angry eye. the
movements of my rival. AT length. TO my infinite
relief, Fred. TO DIN the sports of his fellow
pupils, and Mary was left alone. She beckoned
to me to come and sit with her, but meant to
make her feel my resentment, ard much as
wished to speak to her. scrupulousy turned my
eyes to another quarter Of the house.
Soon the candles were blown out by some mis-
chievous scholars, and the room was involved in
| total darkness.
Now" thought |, forgetting my resentment
IS now is the time to make up with Mary"
| In moment | was by her side The table
prevented me from approaching too closely, but
whispered her name, and reaching over, succeeded
| IN getting ho.d of her hand. heard a shufiing-
felt that she was removing my hand from the
one held of hers to the other; and then | felt o
gentle squeeze. My heart leaped to my throa
with pleasurable emotion. returned the pressure