Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-08-06
MARY MOORE.
CHAPTER 1.

All my life long l have known Mary
Moore. All my life, too. loved her.
Our mothers were old playmates, and
first cousins. My first recollection is of a
boy in red frock and morocco shoes, rock
ing cradle, in which reposed a sunny
haired baby, not quite year old. That
boy was l, myself-Harry Church; that
blue EYE baby was Mary Moore
Later still, l see myself at the little
schocl-house, drawing my little chalse up
to the door. SO tnat Mary might ride home
Many beating have l gained on such oc-
casions, for other boys besides me liked
her, and she, fear, was something of a
flirt, even in her pinafores. How elegant
ly she came tripping down the steps, when
I called her name! how sweetly her blue
eyes looked up at me! how guilty rang out
her merry laugh! No one but Mary could
ever bring her heart to her lips! follow
ed that laugh from my days of childhood,
till I grew an awkward, blushing youth--I
followed it through the heated noon of man
hood--and now, when the frosts of age are
silvering my hair, and my children climb
my knee and call me "iather," l find that
the memories of youth are strong. and
that, even in grey hairs, I'm following its
music still.
When l was fifteen, the first great sor-
row Of my life came upon 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.
But hearts are very tough things after
ALL
l left college in 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. both in general and
particular. If thought of Mary Moore,
1t was to imagine how would dazzle and
bewilder her with my good looks and Won
derful attainments-neyer thinking that
she might dazzle and bewider me still
more. was a sad coxcomb, l know; but
youth and good looks have fled, 1 trust 1
may be believed when say that self-con-
ceit 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 50 to the Indies In my hurried visit
home of two days, ] saw nothing of Mary
Moore. She had gone to boarding
school at some distance. and was not ex-
pecled home till the following May. ut
tered one sis to the memory Of m5 little
blue-eyed playmate, and then called myself
man again.
Ina year. thought as the vehicle
whirled away from my door-'In a year, OF
three years at the very most, l will return,
and. if Mary is as pretty as she used to be
why, then. perhaps, may marry her.
And thus settled the future of young
lady whom | had not seen for four years.
l never once thought of the possibility of
her refusing mel never dreamed that she |
would not condescehd to accept my offer.
But now | know that. had Mary met me
then, she would have despiseI me- Per-
haps in the scented and affected student
she might have found plenty of sport; but
as tor loving me. OF feeling tbs slightest in
terest in me. l should. perhaps have found
| was mistaken.
India was my salvation. not merely be-
cause of my success. but because my la
borious industry had counteracted the evil
in my nature, and made me better man.
When, at the end of three years, prepar-
ed to return home, l said nothing Of the
reformation in myself which l knew had
taken place.
They loved me as / was | murmured
to myself. and they shall find out for them !
selves whether | am better worth loving
than formerly t
packed up many token from that
land of romance and gold for the friends I
hoped to meet. The gift for Mary Moore t
selected with beating heart. 1t was !
ring Of rough. virgin gold. with ny name
and hers engraved on the inside-that was n
all, and yet the sight of the little toy O
strangely thrilled me, as balanced it on '
the tip of my finger. a
To the eyes Of others it was but small b
plain c,rclet. suggesting thoughts, perhaps b
by :ts elegance of the beautiful white hand
hat was to wear it. But to me, how much Y
was embodied there! A loving smile on
beautiful face low words Of Welcomes {;
happy home. and group of merry chill b
lren to climb my knee--all these de- a