The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-07-06
JOE Rim TIN
FANCY PAINTING,
My First Love.
BY CLARENCE MAY.

III L ASI
BY CLARENCE MAY.
There is something beautiful in the Ian
guage Of fowers-something that is link
ed with associates that time can never de.
strov; and like an enchanter's wand, they
fall into being the shadowy dreams thai
lie sleeping in the heart, and bring back
sweet memories Of other days.
Twas thus l dreamed one sunny day,
as I wandered along fair stream, that is
endeared to my heart by pleasing rec ol-
lections from my very childhood. For
getting that had intended to initiate the
occupation of that "prince of anglers Of
whom We have so often read, l strolled on
until l reached a favorite retreat, and
there, as Willis had said, found vio-
lets"
There is TO me
A dainiiness about these early flowers,
That touches me like poetry"
As gazed upon them, my thoughts
went back to the olden time-to my
school boy days in all their holiday ex-
citement, and my gentle companions with
whom l roamed to Gull the early cowslips
and twine them into wreaths to place u
pom their fair young brows.
But among those shadows of the past,
that stole so softly to my heart, there was
one DER which Fingered longer and more
fondly than the rest. It was the dream
of my first love. and will whisper it to
you, gentle reader, if you promise not to
laugh at my acknowledgements, some
may call it.
was just at that interesting period of
my life, when l began to fancy myself a
man-that is about eighteen-when | ac-
cepted the invitation of dear "chum" to
spend the summer vacation with him at
his country home. soon felt quite at
ease after our arrival, for it was delight
full residence-one Of those fine old man
sions Il at combine both beauty and com.
fort; aud the scenery around it, beautiful
and romantic enough to captivate any one
far less enthusiastic than myself. Fish
ing excursions and rambles in the coun-
try were planned every day, to my infn-
ite satisfaction; for after the weary con-
6nement of school room, nothing is 50
pleasant as outdoor recreation; and still,
as if our enjoyment was not yet complete,
frequent mention was made in the family
of the expected visit of dear cousin from
the "sunny South TO which all looked
forward with the greatest eagerness.
At first I.paid but little attention to
these remarks, but @s the time drew near
er, l began to feel no slight curiousty to
behold this paragon of beauty and excel
lence, as they were constantly describing
her to me. In fact scarcely day pass
ed without my being told something con-
cerning her that would be sure TO inter
est me. Did any one sing and play well,
Cousin Louises" voice and execution
were pronounced to be far superior: did
any one read or sketch well, it was said
Cousin Louise" would please me far more.
"Your tastes are SO similar" said they,
"sud we are sure you will be friends at
once"
This was really beginning to be pleas
ant, for even at that early age, was an
ardent admirer of those finer feelings and
accomplishments in woman; and you Will
not wonder that auxiously awaited the
period when l should meet one, who
now seemed the very ideal of my dreams.
The lOug-looked for day at length ar
rived. 1t was lovely evening in mid
summer. Softly did the low winds fan
the sleeping flowers, and never did ma
cure seem clothed with such magic
charm: We were all collected on the
portico, when carriage drove up to the
gate, the steps were Let down, and a slight
form sprang out and ascended up the
gravel walk. The family was instantly
collected around her, even intercepting
her passage to the portico, with such ex-
clamations as, "My dear cousin Louise,
"Ob, l am so glad" and |, who, of course
Kept in the background, iuwardly won