The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-07-25
MARY MOORE.
A PLEASANT LOVE STORY.
CHATTER /.

All nv life long haQ known Mary MooEes
All my life long had loved her.
Our mothers were old playmates and first
cousins. My first recollection is of a boy In
red frock and Morocco shoes, rocking cra-
die, in which reposed sunny haired, blue
eyed baby, not quite year old. That boy
was myself Harry Church; that blue-eyed
baby was Mary Moore.
Later still, see myself at the little school
house, drawing my little chaise up to the
door, that Mary might ride home. Many a
beating have lgained on such occasions, for
other BOYS besides me liked her, and she, l
fear, was something of firt, even in her
pinafores. How elegantly she came trip
pring down the steps when called her name!
How sweetly her blue eyes laughed at me
How gaily rang out her merry laugh That
fairy 1aug gh No one but Mary could ever
bring her heart so soon to her lips fol-
lowed it through the heated noon of man
hood-and now when the frosts of age are
silvering my hair, and many children climb
on my knee and call me ''father,' find that
the memories of youth are strong, and that
even in gray hairs, am following its music
still.
When was fifteen, the first great sorrow
of nv life came on my heart. was sent to
school, and was obliged to part with Mary.
We were not to see each other for three
long years This to me was like a sentence
of death, for Mary was like life itself to
me.
But hearts are tough things after all.
| left college in all the flush and vigor of
my nineteenth year. Twas no longer awk-
ward and embarrassed. had grown into
tall, slender, stripping, with very good
opinion of myself, both in general and par
ticular. If thought of Mary Moore it was
to imagine how should dazzle and bewild-
er her with my good looks and wonderful
attainments-nevert thinking that she might
dazzle and bewilder me still more. was a
looks have fed, trust | may be believed
when say that self conceit has left me also.
An advantageous proposal was made to
me at this time, and accepting it, gave up
all idea of profession, and prepared to
90 to the Indies. In my hurried visit home
| saw nothing of Mary Moore. She had
gone to a boarding school at some distance,
and was not expected home till the follow
ing May. uttered one sigh to the memo
ory of my little blue-eyed playmate, and
them called myself "a man again.
sttIn a year, thought, as the vehiS4e
whirled away from our door, sin a year, NJ
thtresyears, at the most, will return, ar
IL Mary isas pretty as she used to be, why
then, perhapss may masrX her: !
Ard sthus + "a thsta aurssf young
lady whom I had not Seen Tor four years.
never thought of the possibility of her re-
fusing me-never dreamed that she woulc
not condescend TO accept my offer.
|. But now know that had Mary met mt
then, she would have despised me. Per.
haps in the scented and affected student
she might have found plenty of sport: bu
as for loving me, or feeling the slightest in
terest in me, should have perhaps found
was mistaken.
India was my salvation, not merely be-
cause of my success, but because my laboriou'
industry had counseracted the evil in my
| nature, and made me better man. Wher
at the end of three years, prepared to re.
turn, said nothing of the reformation il
in myself which knew had taken place.
''Thev loved me as | was," | murmureC
to myself, sand they shall find out for them
selves whether am better worth loving
than formerly"
| packed up many a token from that lane
! of romance and gold. for the friends hopet
30 meet. The gift for Mary Moore select
| ed with beating heart it was ring o
rough, virgin gold, with my name and hers
engraved inside--that was all, and yet the
| sight of the little toy strangely thrilled mt
| as balanced it upon the tip Of my finger.
To the eyes Of the other it was but ;
I ,l,,p or hnp 70
perhaps. by its elegance, Of the beautiful
/ white hand that was to wear it. But to m
how much was embodied there! 4 lovin,
smile on beautiful face--low words o
welcome. future home, and sweet smi
ling face-a group Of merry children t.
climb my knee-all these delights were bid
den within the little ring Of gold!
| CHAPTER IL.
| Tall. bearded and sun brUnzed, knocke,
at the door of my fathers house. The light
| in the parler windows and the hum of con
versa,ion and cheerful laughter. showed u
| that company were assembled there.
| hoped that my sister Lizzie would come t,
the door, and that might greet ny famil
when no strange eye was looking curioosl!
/ on.
[ Dit tfC-d SCI htft ans ico eaHAuStsS
They were too merry in the parf TO bee'
the long absent one when he asked for ad
mittance. A bitter thought Ike this wa
passing through my mind, as heard tn
sounds from the parior, and saw the hal
suppressed smile upon the servants face.
| hesitated for moment before mad
myself known or asked after the family
and while stood silent, a strange appari
tion grew up before me. Froyebehnd, -,
servant peered out small, goldeu =
/ tiny. delicate form followed, and $780,
childish face, with blue eyes was lifted Vi
to mine-so like those Of one who ha'
frightened my boyhood, that started bacl
with sudden feeling of pain.
| ssWhat is your name my little one 20
asked, while the wondering servant held th
2bor~
\ .SAkted up her hand q de be
! eSss. had seen that very N an
/ a,n IN v~x- horha,1 xnaDr