Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-05-08
NO.
MARY MOORE.
ny NARY ". srAsLRS ornsoS.


CHAPTER 1.
All my life long l had known Mary
Moore; All my lifc long, too, I had known
loved her.
Our mothers were old playmates, and first
cousins. My first recollection is of Young
gentleman in turkey-red frock and moroc-
co shoes, rocking cradle, in which reposed
a sunny-haired, blue-cycd baby, not quite a
year old. That young gentle was |, myself
Church; that bluo-eyed baby was
Mary Moore.
Later still, see myself at the red school
house, drawing my painted sled up to the
door, and arranging my overcoat upon it,
that Mary might ride home. Many black
eye have gained on such occasions; for
other boys liked her besides me, and she /
am afraid was something of hirt, even in
her pnaforcs. How daintily sLe came
tripping down the steps, when called her
name! how sweetly her blue eyes looked
up to me from tho envious folds Of her win.
ter hood how gaily her merry laugh rang
out when, by dint of superhuman cxertions,
l kept her sled before the rest, and let hel
stand upon the steps exutingly to see them
go by! That fairy laugh! No one but
Mary could ever let her heart lie SO upon
her lips! | followed it thorough the heat.
ed noon of manhood, and now, when the
frost of age arc silyering my hair, and many
children climb my knee and call mo "Fath.
er," / find that the memories of youth are
strong, and that gray hairs and all, | am
following its music still.
When was fifteen, the first great sor-
row of my life came upon me- | was sent
away to western school, and was obliged
to part with Mary. We were not to see
each other for three long wears! This, to
mo was like 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. was no longer awk
ward and embarrassed. l had grown into
tall, slender STRIPPING, with very good
opinion of myself in general and particular
If thought of Mary Moore, it was to i'm.
agine how l would dazzle and bewilder hor
with my good looks and wonderful attain
ments--never thinking that she might dazzle
and bewilder me still more. | was sad
puppy, know; but as youth and good looks
have fled, trust | may be believed when l
say that self-conceit has left me also.
An advantageous proposal was made to
me at this time, and accepting it, I gave up
all ideas of profession, and prepared TO 90
to the Indies. / my hurried visit home, Of
two days, l saw nothing of Mary Moore
She had gone to boarding school in Mass.
aehusetts, and was not expected home till
the next fall l gave one sigh to the mem.
ory of my little blue-cyed playmate, and
then called myself "a man again"
"ln year." l thought, as the stage
whired away from our door again, sin a
year, or three years at the very most, will
return, and if Mary is as pretty as she used
to be-why, then, perhaps may marry her."
L stroked my budding moustache with
great complacency, while l settled the flu
turo of young lady l had not seen for
four years. l never thought of the posi-
bllty Of her refusing mc-never dreamed
she would not stoop, with grateful tears to
pick up the handkerchief whenever choose
to throw it at her feet.
But now know that had Mary met me
then, she would have despiscd me. She
was rs far above me as the heavens arc
above the earth. Perhaps in the scented
and affected student she might have found
plenty of sport; but as for loving me, or
feeling the slightest interest in me, save a
regret that should make such an unlim-
tied donkey of myself know her better
now.
India was my salvation, not merely be-
cause of the plentiful share of gold | laid
up, but because my earnest labor counter
acted the evil in my nature, and made me
better man. And when at the end of
three years | prepared to return, | wrote
nothin to the dear little dear ones was
about to meet, of the reformation which /
knew had taken place.
packed up many token, from that
land of romance and gold, for tho friends I
was to meet. Tho gift for Mary Moore was
one l selected with a beating heart. A ring
of rough, virgin gold, with my name and
hers engraved inside; that was all, and vet
the little toy thrilled mo strangely, as bal
anced it upon the tip of my finger.
To the eyes of others it was but small
plain circlct suggesting thoughts perhaps
by its daintiness, of the dainty white hand
that was to wear it. But to me-oh, to
mellow much was embodied there A
loving smile on beautiful face-low words
of Welcomes happy home, and sweet
face smiling therc--a group of merry chill
dren to climb my knee-all these delights
were hidden within that little ring of gold