Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-06-10
G5oiee Mlisttllanp,
From the Frankt5rd Herald. /
MARY MOORE.
BY MARY W. STANLEY GIBSON.
CHAPTER /.


All my life long had l known Mary
Moore. All my life long. too, ] had
known loved her.
Our mothers were eli playmates, and
first cousins. My first recollection is of
young gentleman in turkey red frock
and morocco shoes, rocking cradle. in
which reposed sunny haired. blue eyed
baby. not quite year old. That
young gentleman was 1, myself-Har-
ry Church; that blue eyed baby was
Mary Moore.
Later still, l saw myself at the little
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 the other boys
liked her besides me. and she, am
afraid, was something of a flirt even in
her pinafores. How daintily she came
tripping down the steps when l called
her namel how sweetly her blue eyes
looked up to me from the envious folds
of her winter hood! how gaily her mer-
ry laugh rang out when. By dint of super
human exertions. L kept her sled before
the rest, and let her stand upon the steps
exultingiy to see them all go byl That
fairy laugh! No one but Mary could
ever let her heart lie upon her lips! l
followed that laugh up from my days of
childhood ill l grew an awkward blush
ing youth; | followed it through the
heated noon of manhood, and now, when
the frosts of age are silvering nay hair,
and many children climb my knee and
call me Father" l find that the mem
ories of youth are strong. and that grey
hairs and all. 1 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 yearsl
This. to me, was like a sentence of
death, for Mary was like life itself to
me.
But hearts are tough things after all.
| left college in all the vigor and flush
Of my nineteenth year. l was no long
er awkward and embarrassed. 1 had |
grown into tall, slender STRIPPING, with
very good opinion of myself in gen.
eral and particular. If 1 thought of
Mary Moore, it was to imagine how to |
dazzle and bewilder her with my good |
looks and wonderful attainments-never
thinking that she might dazzle and be-
wilder me still more. l was a sad pup-
py. know; but as youth and good looks
have fed, l trust l may be believed
when | say that self conceit has left me
also.
An advantageous proposal was made
70 me at this time, and accepting it, l
gave up all ideas of a profession, and
to go to the Indies. In nv
hurried visit home, OF two days, saw
nothing of Mary Moore. She had gone
to boarding school in Massachusetts,,
and was not expected home till the next
fall.
l gave one sigh TO the memory of
my little blue eyed playmate. and then
called myself "a man again"
ain year." 1 thought. as the. stage
whirled away from our door again, Gin
\ year, or three years at the farthest, l
will return. and if Mary is as pretty as
she used to be-why, then, perhaps
may marry her.
stroked my buding moustache with
yreat complacency, while l settled the
uture of young lady had not seen