Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-03-04
BEGINNING LIFE,
Rolling over with Pretty Girl in Stream
Of Water

p
Of Water.
iRRAy LtPE by running away from home.
Boilcau, We are told, was driven into his career
by .he hand of fate and the peck of turkey.
Atilla started in life with no other cause and
capital than an old sword, which he was adroit
enough to palm off for the divine weapon of
Mars; and Robesperre owed his political ca
reer to wetting his stockings, aud there s:heard
the words which burn,'' which fred his soul,
and determined his course in life. My run
ming away from home came from minor NOR
tiication. caused by carrying pretty girl over
the brook.
Donald Leon and myself were good friends
at fourteen years of age, and we both regard
cd with little more than friendship, pretty He
len Graham, sour eldest girl'' at school. We
romped and danced together, and this lasted
tor such length of time that it is with feel
ings of bewilderment that / look back upon
the mystery Of two lovers continuing friends.
But the time came, as it must, when jealousy
lit her spark in my boyish bosom, and blew it
into a consuming fame. No fame can burn
so quickly or with so little fuel as Jealousy
One day returning from school, Donald un-
dertook to assist Helen over the stream. Be-
fore We reached the opposite bank, was wish
ing Donald TO the .sbottom of the sea-" Be
ing naturally impetuous, l burst out with
ssTe need no hand sac gingerly, Helen, as if
We feared a fa'. can aye carry ye lighter
than Donald can hall of ye.'
Surprised at the vehemence of my tone our
queen interposcd with an admission that we
were both strong, and that she had no idea of
sparing my power. But Donald's ire was kin
died, and he utterly denied that was at all
qualified to compete with him in feats of car
riage. On such topics boys are generally en-
ulors, and by the time we reached the oppo-
site bank, it was settled that that point should
be determined by singly bearing Helen a.
cross the ford in my arms.
Helen was to determine who had carried her
most easily, and settled with myself private
Is in advance, that the one who obtained the
preference would really be the person who
stood highest in her affections. The reflection
stimulated me to exert every effort, and ver
i'y believe to this day, that 1 could have car
ried Donald and Helen either arm like fea-
theirs. But must not anticipate.
We suffered all the rest of the party to pass
quietly along, and then returned to the ford.
I lifted Helen with the utmost care, and car
ricd her like an infant to the middle of the
water. Jealousy had inspired a warmer love,
and it was With feelings unknown before that
embraced her lovely form. and felt the pres
sure OF her cheek against mine. All went
swimningly, or rather wadingly, for moment.
But, alas, in the deepest part of the ford, l
trod on a treacherous piece of wood, which
rested Suppose, smooth stone. Over /
rolled bearing Helen with me, nor did we rise
until fairly soaked from head to foot.
need not describe the taunts of Donald, or
the more accusing silence Of Helen. Both be-
lieved that l had fallen from mere weakness,
and my rival demonstrated his superior abili-
ty bearing her for a long distance on her home
ward path. AS we approached the house, feel
ing dry and better humored, she attempted to
conciliate me. But preserved moody ST.
lence. was mortified beyond redress.
That night packed up few things and ran
awoy. NY boyish mind, sensitive and irrita-
ted, exaggerated the negation which it had re-
ceived, aud prompted me to course which
fortunately led to better results than generally
attended such Irregularities. went TO Edin-
burgh, where 1 found an uncle, kind hearted,
cniidess man, who gave me place in his
house, and employed me in his business
Wealth flowed in upon him-I became his
nar,per-went abroad-resided four years on
the continent and finally returned to Scot
land. rich, educated, in short, everything but
married.
One evening, while at ball in Glasgow
was struck with young lady of unpretending
appearance, but, whose remarkable beauty ana
high-toned expression, indicated mlnd oil
more than ordinary power. was introduced
but Scottish name had long been unfamiliar
to my ear, and could not catch hers. IL was
Helen something, and there was something IN
her face, too, that seemed familiar-something
suggestive of pleasure and pain.
But we became well acquainted that evening.
learned without difficulty her history she
was from the country, had been educated, her
parents had lost their property, and she was
goyeruess In family in the city.