Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-04-07

dation, and a smile of hers, more than 8
shelf of well selected premiums.
have said 1 was bashful, and I must
, not forget that some of the interest of my
story-if it has any--depends upon this
more particularly than upon those blissful
miilenial school-days.
Mine has always been confding dispo.
sition, and although | sought not ou,
friends from the public world, yet when
one came to my heart he always found a
Joyous welcome, an overaewing soul, and
hospitality that made it hi, home. Into
the secret shrine could he come and read
from the inner tablet the delicate impress
sions Of men and things, the lurking hopes
and fears. Strange enough, that of all
by whom | was surrounded should have
cared for one who was almost entirely my
antipode a. far as the development of his
character, at that age, was concerned
Frank Dean became for the time my most
intimate friend. bold, rough and yet gen
tlelnanly youth, always companionable,
with all the naturalness of the boy in his
actions, and the bluntness of an honest
soul. 1 thought aim pattern boy then,
because he was mere forward than l, and
because there WAS charm in some of his
wiry traits that vas entirely fascinating.
Where shall find him now! In far off
city, among the mediocre men, adapted
but for his labor, measuring out dry goods
and studying grsces but to please custom
ers and to win their pslf. The ideoi hero
has Gwindled to the merchants clerk. Not
that think slightingly of that Office, but
| had in my youthful enthusiasm dreamed
him capable Of being great, and l have
learned since that he is but the common
man, unconscious that elevation of soul
makes the true worker But, what of
him, in thi. connection? Thus much.
He loved joke, and knowing my souls
preference, he above many things delighted
in teasing me in reference to it. Many
time when | would quietly or, it might be,
with glowing eloquence, deseant upon the
loveliness and grace of her who occupied
the whole of my vision, would he burst
into loud laugA. and voH thatehe saould
know all my Rhapsody, with all bis own
embellishments. Now the youth of our
day are more forward than we were then,
in all the outward msnipulations of this
feeling, for there could be no greater pun
ishment to me, than she should know l
ventured to think of her. How often, as
| would find she had observed the name |
had written so naturally upon my slate,
made up, as it was, partially Of hers and
partially Of mminc-" Kate Leslie
would l blush crimson, and seek to hide
the act, believing that she would take the
trouble to read what Mought-that there
was such delightful resemblance between
the two, and that. were she to accept mine,
the initials of her own would still be the
same.
On one afternoon Of each week, we ju-
veniles met together in the vestry room of
the village church to practice music aud
prepare for the Sabbath exercises. Once
having become unusually elated, boasted
to Frank that l should 20 in company
with Kate to the place Of meeting-an in
noceut boast, surely, but yet one which 1
would never have invoked courage to carry
out l never could have the hardihood to
walk near her. But my good, honest tor
mentor, with q genuine love of fun, circu-
lated my promise among many of my as
sociates who had already-thanks to his
kindne.s-begun the attempt to victimize
me, and, worst of all, moral things, the
report reached her ears. Never did poor
convict long to put off the day of his pub
lie ignominy more than 1 to have that af-
tsrnoon kept in the future. But it came,
and l moved off as quietly as possible
to the little room. l could not stay
away, for there WAS one whose presence
drew me. l know, however, l was
alone, for I dare not look into the face
of any one, for l foolishly imagined that
every one was interested in watching how
| acted. Copious were the tears Of that
occasion, the full outbursting of an over
flowing hcart--more, probably, than in
.ll time since l have been able to shed
tears of vcxation, for l was cajoled-tesrs
of disappointment, had been deceived
tears of shame, | had shown my weakness
/ and she had been witness, or at least had
heard Of it, now l dare not look at her
: hopeless tears never could recover, she
would despisc me for my childish impu
, dence in saying such, and for my temerit,
, in prizing her. All ! it was foolish, and i
D was but child, a very sensitive one, wan
: dering through that grave yard to keel
] away from companions-but l know tha