Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-05-27
From Apple;on's "Gen;as Of Art-"l
/. CROSSING THE FORD.

en- INTO his career by the hand OF tat
and the peck OF a turkey AdlIa start
ed in life with DO o,her cause and capitsr
than an old sword. which he was adroi
enough 10 palm of for the divine weap
on of Mars. and Robespierre owed hi
political career TO wet,ing his STOCKING
and there heard tie words which burn
which fired his soul. and determined hi,
course in life Ny running away from
home arose from minor mortiicaticr
caused by carrying pretty girl over 9
brook.
Donald Lean and myself were gooc
friends at fourteen years Of age. and We
both regarded. with little more thar
friendship pretty Helen Graham, ''oul
eldest girl. at school. We romped and
danced together, and this lasted for such
2 len .ih of time, iha; It is with feeling
>f besildefment that look back on the
mysieryof two lovers continuing friends
But time came, as come il must, when
jealousy liz her spark in my hoyish
bosom, and blew il into consuming
fame
Well, 1 do remember how and when
the green eyed perpetraled this incen-
diary deed. II was on cold October
evening, when Helen, Donald and my
self. were returning with our parents
from visit TO ueighboring hamlei.-
As we approached ford where the wa
tsrrsn somewhat higher than ankle deep
I'VE prepared 10 carry Helen across as we
were accustomed 10 do. with hands in
terwoven '.cbair fashion," thus We took
cur pretty passenger through the brook.
Just as we were in the middle of the
wa.er.-which was cold enough at the
lime to have frozen anything Ike feeling
out Of boys less hardy thaa ourselves
faint pang Of jealously nfpped my
heart. Why it was knew not, for we
hal csrrisd Helen Gf,y times across tie
brook ere now. without emotion, but tbis
evening thought. or fancied. that Hell.
IN gave DonaId an undue preference BY
casing her pretty arm around bis neck.
while she stsadied herself on my side by
holding tae eaf Of my jacket.
No flame can burn SO quickly or with
50 little fuel as jealousy. Before We had
reached the opposite bauk. I was wish
ins Donald at the bottom "of the sea-
Being naturally impetuOus. I burst out
with:
-s'-You need ma hand sac gengerly,
Helen, as il ye feared fa.' l can aye
carry We lighter than Donald wad the
half o'yel'
Surprised at the vehemence of my
tone. cur queen inierPosed with an ad-
mission that We were both strong, and
that She had no idea of sparing my
posers But Donald's ire was kindled.
aud he utterly denied that was at sll
qualified TO compete with himself in any
fcats Of eaniaee. Or such topics boys
are naturally emulous, and BIZ The time
we had reached the opposite bank, it
was settled that the point should De de-
iermined by our singly bearing Helen
again across The ford in our arms.
Helen was to determine VINO had car
ried her most easily, and l settled ii with
myself privately ia advance. that the
one who obtained the preference would
really be the person who stood the high
est in her affections. The reflection
stimulated me TO resolve to exert every
effort, and l verify believe TO this day,
that / could have carried Donald and
Helen on either arm, like feathers. But
I anticipate.
We suffered all the rest of the party
to pass quietly along. and then returned
to the ford. liheG Helen with the ut
most ease, and carried her Ike an infant
to The middle of the water. Jealousy
had also inspired warmer love. and it
was with feelings unknown before, that
embraced her beautiful form and /
felt the pressure of her cheeks agains
mine. All went swimmingly. or rather
~adingly. for a minute. Bat then
alss! in the very deepest part of the ford
j trod on trescherous Bit of wood.
which rested, | suppose upon a smooth
stone. Over l rolled, bearing Helen
with me, nor did we rise until fairly
soaked from head to foot.
/ Eeed not describe the taunts of Dom
aid, or the more accusing silence of Hell |
en- Both believed | had fallen from
mere weakness, and my rival illustrated
his superior ability, bearing her in his
arms for long distance on our home
ward path. As we approached the
house. Helen. feeling drier and better
h1mored, attempted to conciliate me-
Bull preserved moody silence Il was
mortified beyond redress.
That night packed up a few things
and ran away Ny boyish mind, sensi-
tive and irriia,ed. exaggerated the ne
CATION It had received. and prompted |
me TO course which fortunately led me 1
to better results than usually attend such /