The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-05-27
NV First and Last Love

loFt my lOFe WIN an L., SAID l, an
away went the long apple pearing over m
shoulder
There was rush and scramble to see
my letter had been formed upon the floor, an,
shouts that it was an L, and Shouts that it wa
not, but, instead almost every other letter il
the alphabet
All the time I sat feeling extremely shy ant
awkward, and not all relieved when the poin
under discussion was decided in favor of the L
although had chosen that letter because, 81
far as | knew, it did not form an initial of an,
OF the young men present. But began to b,
afraid that [ had not chosen wisely after all
and that Knight be called upon yet for som,
of the ridiculous forfeits Of the game How
trembled, then, when I heard the shouts:
'Here is the L, Leander Holme, Miss Kate
has chosen you. Look, see the L upon the
foor.''
Somebody was coming towards me. Some
body said, "Miss Barry-Mr. Holme.'' A
tall figure ben. before me, and sat down silent
ly by my side. All this saw dimly from un
der eyelids that were cast down in real, not af
fected shyness. How grateful I was not tc
find myself pulled into the centre of the room
and kissed boisterously, as had happened tc
many Of the girls present that evening, and
who, under the infiction, only blushed little
and Uttered good deal.
This was my second country party. I had
suffered tortures at the first, and had expected
to suffer tortures at this. I felt that / had
escaped happily if I might be allowed to sit
quietly in the corner I had chosen Even the
very silent person at my side did not particular
y annoy me so long as the noisy group in the
centre Of the room would allow me to be quiet
l had been reared from early childhood in
the house Of wealthy, childless uncle, in the
city. was very young, and had no idea Of
society, except what had gained from being
locker on at my aunt's semi annual, stiff and
formal parties where the company were very
decorous and excessively stupid
My uncle had died suddenly without will,
and his heir atlaw had taken possession of his
property, leaving my aunt with comparatively
small income, while l, after having been reared
until the age of sixteen in the midst of wealth
and luxury, was left entirely unprSided for
My aunt went to live in lodgings, and was
sent back to my father, who was poor man
with many children, and a slatternly, scolding
wife, who was not my mother Ny own
mother died in my infancy, and it was said my
father had never been himself since. He had
become dssipated, lost his habits of business,
which were fast bringing him wealth. and at
last quitting business entirely, had gone to live
upon little farm in the interior Of the State
had married, and was now surrounded by a
large, disorderly, boisterous family.
Into this uncongenal home was suddenly
thrust from the refnements of my life in the
house of awealthy citizen. | was shy and un.
happy. [ had never been accustomed to the
companionship of children, but [ soon found
that whenever I shxank involuntarliy from the
dirty, noisy crew around me, gave offence tc
the mother, and through her representations
to my father, who seemed completely under
her influence.
Every instructive indulgence in the tastes and
habits in which I had been reared, was looked
upon as an evidence ofpride, and I soon founc
all the influence of home arrayed against me
and my wishes.
I had shrank, through shyness, from attend
ing the first party, but had gone because
could not resist my mothers speers and my ia
theirs commands. And SO much had [ beer
terrified at the good natured boisterousness 0
the young people assembled, and | mentally
resolved never to go again. Notwithstanding
I found myself once more in the same circle
after a very trying scene at home, and in my
dread of the thirty pairs of eyes fixed upor
me, had been drawn into their games.
l had not yet glanced at the face of the
young man at my side, nor had word beer
exchanged, when the noisy group in the centre
of the room broke up. They came crowdine
around me, uttering broad but good -humored
tests that felt sent the blood flushing and
burning into my face. Ny companion must
have felt me trembling, too, for he suddenly
leaned forward and said:
'sDo not be afraid, Miss Kate, they do not
intend any harm, and will see that they dc
not much annoy YOU
gave him one grateful glance, for was toe
near crying to dare to trust my voice, and
met a pair of dark, brilliant eyes, fixed upor
my face, very mirthful, yet good deal com.
passionate in expression. Suddenly he rose
up, and drawing my arm within his, turned te
the bantering group:
"Miss Kate has chosen me this evening, anc
I take her under my protection. shall be 6
very tyrant, and not one Of you must speak tc
her without my permission.
So saying, he led me away to the opposite
corner of the room. There, seeing that, be
tween sbyness and the annoyances just passec
was still unable to control my voice or fea
lures, he stood before me speaking calmly anc
quietly of some unimportant subject. His
pleasant voice and quiet manner soon he]pec
me to control my agitation, and he sat dowr
beside ene. | was amazed at myself when
found myself talking gaily with this stranger
and still more amazed to find myself happy fol
several hours of the evening 10 which I hae
looked forward with so much dread, and Whicl
had commenced so inauspicionsly y,
And when he brought several of the bright
ruddy looking girls to speak to mein the course
of the evening, l found what my foolish shy
ness had prevented me from learning before
that they were amiable, warm-hearted crea
lures, in spite of their lack of refinement. Sc
on the whole, the evening passed pleasantly
and | was not afraid to go again, especially as
when they found was not too proud to join
in their sports, they never attempted to drag
me into any did not like
: But chief among the pleasant memories Of
that evening was the kindness of Leander
Holme. A pair of dark eyes haunted my
thoughts for many day, and never forgot
the soothing impression of his calm voice and
pleasant manner.