The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-09-04
Mistrllantuns.
MARY MOORE.
A CAPITAL STORY.

AL my life long, | had known Mary
Moore. AL my life had loved her
Our mothers were old playmatcs and hrs
cousins. My first reflection is OF boy IL
red fro'k and morocco shoes, rocking :
cradle. in which rcposed a sunny haired
blue eyed baby, not quite year old. Ih'
boy was myself-Hary Church, that hlu'
eyed baby was Mary Moore.
Later still, / see myself at the little
school house, drawing my little chaise NJ
to the door that Mary might ride home
Many beating have | gained on such
occasions, for other boys besides inc iikeo
her. and she, fear was something OF q
tlirt, even in her pinaforcs. How elegant
~ she came tripping down the steps when
called her name, how swectly her blue
ewes looked at me! how gaily rang oLt
the merry laugh! That fairy langh. No
one but Mary could ever bring her heart
SO soon to her lips.
When was fifteen the first great sor-
row oil my life came upon my heart. |
was sent TO school, and MAS obliged to part
with my Mary. We were not TO see each
other for three long years. This, to me,
was like sentence of death, for Mary was
like life itself 10 me.
left college in all the flush and yigor
ofmy nineteenth year. i had grown III
to tall, slender stripping, with very
good opinion of myself, both in general
and particular. If thought O. Mary
Moore il was to imagine how lwouid daz-
zlc and bcwildcr her with my good looks
and wonderful attainments-neverthink-
ing that she might dazzle and bewildcr
me still more.
IN advantageous proposal was made to
me at this time, and, accepting it, | gave
up all ideas OF a profession, and prepar-
ed 70 90 to the Indies. In my hurried
visit home saw nothing OF Mary Moore.
She had gone to boarding school at
some distance, and was not expected
home till the following May. | uttered
one sigh to the memory of my little blue
eyed Playmate, and then called myself ~
man again
I'm a year." | thought as the vehicle
whirlcd away from our door-''in year,
or three years at the very most, will re-
turn, and ii Mary is rs pretty as she used
to he, why then, perhaps may marry
her."
And thus settled the future of a Young
lady who had not seen for four years.
never thought al the possibility of her
refusing me - never dreamed that she
would not condcsccnd to accept my offer.
But now know that had Mary met
INC then she would have despiscd me-
Perhaps in the scented aud affected stu
dent she might have toundplcnty OF sport;
but as for loving me, | should have per-
haps found myself mistaken.
India WAS INV salvation, not merely be-
cause of nv success, but because my la
borious industry had countcmcted the
evil in my nature, and made me better
man. When at the end of three years, |
prepared TO return, id nothing of the
reformation in myself which | knew had
taken place.
Then love Inc rs | was" murmurcd
TO myself "and they shall find out for
themselves whether | am better worth
loving than formerly"
packed up many token from that
land of romance and gold. for the friends
| hoped to meet. The gift for Mary
Moore | selected with a beating heart; it
was a ring of rough virgin gold, with my
name and hers engraved on the inside
that was all, and yet the sight of the lit
tic toy strangely thrilled me as | balanc-
ed it upon the top OF my finger
Tall. bearded and sun bronzcd, knock
ed at the of NV fathers house. The lights
in the parlor windows and the hum of
conversation aud cheerful laughter show
cd me that company had assembled there.
hoped my sister Lizzie would come to
the door, and that | might greet her
familiarity when no strange eye was look
ing curiously on.
Butnon-a servant answered my sum-
mons. They were too merry in the par
lor to heed the long absent one when he
asked for almittancc. \ bitter thought
like this was passing through my mind
~ heard the sounds from the parlor,
aud saw the half suppressed smile upon
the servants face.
heSitated for a moment before | made
mvsclf know or asked after my family,
and while | stood silent,a strange appari.
ton grew up before me. From behind
the servant peercd ont a small golden
head, n tiny, delicate form followed, and
a sweet childish face. with blue eyes, was
lifted up to minc-so alike those of one
who had Frightened my boyhood, that
started back with sudden feeling OF
pain. ,
What is your name, my little one Z !
asked, while the wondering servant held
the door.
She hltcd up her hand as il to shade
her eyes, Il had seen that very attitude
in another. in INV boyhood many and
many ,imc,) anl answered in Il sweet
bird ike voice: Mary
And what clscg lasked.
MARY Moore Chester, lipsed the child,
Nv heart sunk down like lead. Here
was AN end TO all the bright dreams and
homes of my youth and manhood. Frank
chester. my boyish rival, who had often
tried. and in vain, to usurp my place be.
side the girl, had succeeded at last, and
had won her away from me This was
his child-his child and Marys.
sank body and soul beneath the blow
I And hiding my face in my hands, | lean
cd against the door. The little one gaz'
cd at me grieved and amazed, and pn'
.lhcr pretty lips as if about 10 cry, whii'
the perplcxed servant stepped TO the par
lor door and called INV sister out, TO see
who il could be that conducted himself
! 80 strangely.
| bcorI n liyht stem, and pleasant voic,