Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-09-11
EVENING STAR.
81 KNOW IT"
BY &. W. DEW EE.

iOhS COdi duu DOOlc, kOO tuc dD-
purtenance Of spurs was generally added) a
moustache was quite visible on my upper lip,
and a consciousness of ripe maturity never
left my mind. was studying for the legal
| profession, but at the time Of which write,
was spending my summer vacation at my ia
| ther's house in the country.
Though so manly (almost soldier-like, rs
fancied) IN my appearance, my inner was by
| no means as stern as my outer man. loved
| my mother with childish tenderness, and
sooner than pain her pious heart, unmur-
muringiy accompanied her every Sunday to
| the village church to listen 10 long sermons of
| which | could not hear word, for the tremu
| lous accents Of the very aged minister, who
conducted the services, were so faint as to be
| lnaudible where L sat. Though incited by
| love and duty to subject myself to this weekly
penance, well deserved by my weekly SINS
my conscience yet did not prevent me from
Willing away the time with such amusements
as lay at hand-that, namely, of observing
and speculating on the cOunteuances of my
neighbors an occupation of which was fond.
The physiognony which interested me more
| than all others, was that of young girl who
sat not far from us, and who was accompanied
| by an aged woman, probably her grandma
| ther-the object Of her ever watchful care.
This girls face, from first elciting my care
| less admiration, gradually absorbed my whole
attention. 1t was very beautiful, but apart
from that, it possessed the greatest possible
interest for me. Never had | seen a counte-
nance which denoted 50 much sensibility
| each emotion of her mind was plainly written
upon it, by its quick, delicate changes; no
| thing was wanting but the key Of a corres-
poadipg degree of sensiblity in the beholder
TO read her innocent soul like an open book
For hours gazed and specuated on tt at young
facs-1 thought how sad would be the lot of
so sensitive being, should fate unite her to
one who would not know how to read Alright
what was so delicately written---to whom tie
varying expression Of that sweet cOuntenance
would be bat a blank-who should be able to
see in it only its coarser part-beauty of fea-
ture. There was no end to the reveries into
which those swift coming bushes led me.
Sometimes, by chance, the fair object of my
busy fancies would catch my eye, or without
looking at me, seem to know or feel that was
gazing at her, and L wickedly delighted in
noticing the blush which deepened On her
cheek till withdrew my eyes.
One Sunday, happened-in coming out of
church, to be closo to my lovely neighbor-
immediately behind her-my hand actually
touched her unconscious garments. felt an
irresistible desire to force her in some way to
notice me-to speak To her-to occasion one of
those charming bushes, anything know not
what In short, like an impertinent cox
comb, as l was, l stopped forward, and with
an insufferable insolence, which l blush low
to remember, whispered in her ear
:. You are very pretty
Never was more surprised, than when she
calmly replied
Il know il :"
l was absolutely startled. I had expected
q silent, conscious blush--or an indignant
glance-anything rather than the cool II
know it,
Twas puzzled, but had plenty of time to
turn the matter in my mind, for in q few days
L returned to college. L can truly say it was
tho one problem, which throughout the term,
gave me most thought.
Another year elapsed ere returned home,
and again sat in the village church. My per-
sonal appearance was, meanwhile, somewhat
altered. l still wore my moustache, it is
true, but my cOat-tails were not, or did
| not seem quite so long, and L left off my
spurs.
My mother and 1 were early seated in our
pew, and L impatiently awaited the arrival Of
my lovely enigma. 1 tried to prepare myself
for disappointment. u have been thinking
aud dreaming about an IDEAL" said 10 my
self, q doubtless when the young lady appears
all my imsginings will vanish-there can be
no doubt my fancy has been playing tricks
with me, investing a mere country maiden
with transcendent graces and charms. While
l was reasoning thus with myself, the young
lady appeared, leading her old relative with
tender care.
Worshipping an ideal" indeed my most
charming remembrance did not begin to do
justice to the beautiful reality. A soul full of
tenderness and sensibility seemed to have found
fitting home in person and face Of perfect
loyeliness and grace.
She blushed when, looking around, she
chanced to see me, and again the play Of ex-
preston on her features which had so interest
ed me formerly, charmed me.
As mother and / returned home, described
my fair neighbor, and asked my mother who
she was!
Her name" my mother said, SIS Grace
Denny; aid she is the lOveliest, the most su.
perior young woman l have ever in my whole
life met. 1t Is too soon TO think Of sueh things
yet" she continued, smiling, Z" but some
years hence it would make me happy TO sec
my dear son married to just such good wo-
man.
" Not quito so fast, mother" said laugh
ing way little embarrassment which L was
most anxious to conceal.
l found that Grace had become constant
visitor at my mothers, and / did not fail to
improve the opportunity of becoming ac-
quainted with her.
She was indeed gifted creature, endowed
with all natures best" She sang, She
danced, sh0 ccnversed with an indiscrible
grace peculiar to herself. Though generally
thoughtful and earnest in her manner, she
noo a vein w quiet uunOr, anu neT strokes OF
playful drollery charmed all the more from
being unexpected. But moro alluring to me
than all her gifts and accomplishments, was
the shrinking sensibility depicted on every
feature of her sweet face. / soon found n.y.
self deeply-painfully interested in her. I
say painfully for Grace received my assiduous
attention with a perfect GOODNESS and uncon-
Germ that gave me great uneasiness. Some
tines thought she remembered my early i'm
pertinence, and was disposed to punish me-
But there was a rival, a cousin of Grace's,
who always stood in my way, and from whom
Grace received, as matter of course, num-
berless little attentions which dared not even
offer. 1 hated this man; was insufferabIy
jealous; but Grace seemed either perfectly
unconscious, or perfectly Indifferent to the bye
play OF animosity which was carried on be- |
tween us two. s....-....-
Grace, sweet, noble Grace, with her child
like simplicity and sensitive woman's heart
who could resist her? Icould not; my whole |
soul was hers. In vain had called upon my
vanity (of which I had plenty to invske) to
save me from the modification Of loving with |
n,f+r "a.