Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1857-11-07

melancholy t4oughtfulness over her
fair white brow. Yes, you may, per-
haps, meet such form and face, but
you will never find such soul as dwelt
in her breast, or q heart as true as
that which beat in her bosom.
Many have wondered why ! am .
bachelor This is the reason.
I can look back through long
vista Of Fifty two years to the first
tins met Laura Beaumont, when I
was but eighteen years old, and she
hut sixteen. We met purely by chance
at the house Of mutual friend, where
my heart received its first shock. This
was the commemorate our acquaint-
ance. After this I saw her frequently,
and the affection I had then conceived
for her grew stronger and stronger ev-
cry day.
Thus six months passed. had
formed an acquaintance with her pa
rents, who being acquainted with the
social position and wealth Of mine,
looked upon my intimacy with their
daughter very benignly.
At length the ''eventful day." as it is
called, came. I was, by her parents
invitation, spending day or two with
them upon q farm of theirs, previous
to my last year at college. Laura and
had proposed to visit poor family,
who lived some two miles distant. She
was to so on horseback, but as I pre-.
ferrcd walking such distance, I was
to go on foot. Accordingly We started.
Our route lay through wood part of
the way beside q brook, where We used
to fish (for she could fish as well or
better than ~ which now gurgled
along, keeping sweet accompaniment
to the breeze as it played among the
giants Of tho forest, and the birds
which sang among their leaves.
I was walking beside her pony, with
my hand on bis name, with my eyes
bent on the ground, and my heart al
ready to overflow with the emotions !
felt. When she spoke,
john" said she, chow sorry I am
that you ore going away
| She was thinking Of the matter in
another light than I was.
"Are you Z" said I, looking steadily
into her face. Her expression fitted in
exactly with my thoughts that I forgot
that she could be thinking Ct anything
else. Isuppose my look startled her, as
I believe my thoughts were plainly ex-
pressed on my face, for she blushed,
looked down and then glancing at me,
answered:
Certainly, John, do you suppose !
can help missing you? When you are
gone away I shall have no companion
in my walks and rides. and no one to
help me in my charitable expeditions: ="
turned and gazed at her and said,
"Laura, is that all Do you only
think Of me as u pleasant companion,
as method of amusing your lonely
hours. just as a dog or horse or q pet
might be3 Is it only because l drive
away ennui that you are sorry am 60
ing? I had hoped it was more"
Her face was turned slightly away
from, me, but I could see the rich blood
rush in headlong torrent to her cheeks,
and she said,
"John, there is something more.''
"Laura,'' said I, Selling her
hand which was playing nervously with
her whip. 'Look atme, Laura what
is there more? May I tell you what
more I wish p She lifted her eyes to
mine for o moment, with a sort of
questioning glance, and then let them
fall again. But that one glance was
sufficient to do its work.
II will tell you," continued I, 81
would that you love me as love you.
That for my love you would miss me,
that for my face you would wish for the
love you bear me; that I may hope that
while absent from you I may still hold
your heart in my keeping. Can my
wish be gratifed p
"John," said she, and this time she
turned her burning face full upon me,
''it is grati6ed." And the light hand
I held gently returned the ardent pres
sure Of mine, and as I pressed the first
glowing kiss on her lips I received no
rebuke, but rather return.
went to college and returned the
next year to find her as beautiful and
faithful as ever. During my absence
I received a few letters from her, which
I even now preserve, in company with
o lock of her hair, and o miniature
likeness Of herself, as my choicest me-
MORALS. Before long, however, l was
obliged to 60 abroad to prosecute my
studies in Europe. But it was arranged
that we were to be married when I came.
I was gone four long years., and then
returned. I had sent word that I was
coming, and private note to Laura to
meet me at "a certain time and place be-
fore I saw the others. She met me
| accordingly, and once more I clasped
her in my arms, murmering, "now,
Laura, we shall part no more"
Our wedding day had been fixed for
three days afterward, as all prepara-
lions had been made as appointed, be-
fore my arrival.
The evening came. The guests
were all assembled, and Laura and I
entered the parlor. Never, I believe,
did she look so beautiful as them
Clad in the usual bridal dress of pure
white satin and lace, with q veil Of the
same hue falling over it, her cheeks