The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-02-04
Beginning Life-My Love Story.

than all old sword, which he was adroit enough
TO palm off for the divine weapon Of Mars; and
Robesperre owed his political career to wetting
his stockings, and there heard the "words which
burn,' which fired bis soul, and determined
his course in life. My running away from home
arose from minor modification, caused by car
rylng pretty girl over the brook.
Donald Lean and myself were good friends
at fourteen years of age, and we both regard
ed, with little more than friendship, pretty He
len Graham, "our eldest girl at school: We
romped and danced together, and this lasted
for 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 come it must, when jealousy
lit her spark in my bosom, and blew it into a
consuming flame.
Well do remember how and whenthe green
eyed perpetrated this ncendiary deed. 1t was
on cold October evening, when Helen, Don
aid and myself were returning with our parents
from a neighboling hamlet. AS we approach
ed % ford where the water ran somewhat high
er than ankle deep, we prepared to carry Helen
across, as we were accustomed to do, with hands
interwoven, "chaIr fashion," and thus carried
our pretty passenger over the brook. Just as
we were in the middle of the water-which was
cold enough at that time to have frozen any
thing like feeling out of boys less hardy than
ourselves-a faint pang Of jealousy nipped my
heart. Why it was l knew not for we had
carried Helen fifty times across the brook ere
now, without emotion, butthis evening thought
or fancied that Helen gave Donald an undue
preference by casting her pretty arm around
his neck, while she steadied herself on my side
by holding the cuff Of my jacket.
No flame can burn so quickly, or with so lit
tie fuel, as jealousy. Before we had reached
the opposite bank, | was wishing Donald atthe
bottom of the sea. Being naturally impetuous,
| burst out with
You need nae hand so gingerly, Helen, as
if ye fear'e fa' | can aye carry ye lig hter
than Donald can half O. ye.'
Surprised at the vehemence Of my tone, our
queen interposed with an admission that we
were both strong, and that she had no idea of
sparing my powers. But Donald's ire was kin
died, and he utterly denied that | was at all
qualified 10 compete with him in feats Of car
rlage. On such topics boys are generally en-
ulous, and by the time we had reached the op-
posite bank, it was settled that ihe point should
be determined by our singly bearing Helen
across the ford in our arms.
Helen was to determine who had carried hen
most easily, and settled with myself privately
in ADVANCE, that the one who had obtained the
preference woul ID really be the person who stood
highest in her affections. The reflection slim
uated me TO use every effort, and | verify be-
licve to this day, chat could have.carried Don
aid and Helen on either arm like feathers. But
| must not anticipate.
We suffered all the rest of the party to pass
quietly along and then returned to the ford.
l lifted Helen with the utmost care, and carried
her like an infant 10 the middle of the water
Jealousy had inspired warmer love, and ii
was with feelings unknown before that en-
braced her beautiful form, and felt the pres
sure of her cheeks against mine, All went
swimmihg1y, OF rather wadingy, for minute
But alas, in the very deepest part Of the ford
l trod on a treacherous bit of wood which rest
ed, I.suppose on a smooth stone. Over | roll
ed, bearing Helen with me, nor did we rise un-
I'll fairly soaked from head to foot.
need not describe the taunts of Donald, OF
the more accusing silence of Helen. Both be-
leved that l had fallen from mere weakness,
and my rival demonstrated lis superior ability
by bearing her for a long distance on our home
ward path. As we approached the house, He
len, feeling dry and better bumured, attempted
to conciate me. 'But preserved moody 81
lence. was mortified beyond redress.
That night / packed up few things ana ran
away. My boysh mind, sensitive and irrita-
ted, exaggerated the indignity which it had re-
ceived; and prompted me to course which for
tunately led me to better results than usually
attended such irregularities. l went to Edin-
burg, where l found an uacle, kind hearted
childless man, who gladly gave me a place in
his house, and employed me in his business
Wealth flowed in upon him. became his part
ner-went abroad resided four years on The
continent and finally returned to Scotland, rich,
educated, in short, everything but married.
One evening, while at ball in Glasgow, I
was struck by young lady of unpretendins
appearance, but whose remarkable beauty and
high toned expression indicated mind Of more
than ordinary power. | was Introduced, but
The Scottish names had long been unfamiliar to
my ear, and could not catch hers. Ii was
Helen something, and then there was some
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, he'
parents had lost theirproper;y, and she was now
a governess of family of the city.
was fascinated with her conversation, and
was continually reminded by her grace and re-
fnement of manner, that she was capable OF
moving with distinguished success in a far high
er sphere than that which fortune seemed tc
have allotted her. am naturally neither talk
ative nor prone to confidence; but there was
that in this young lady which inspired both,
and l conversed with her as had never con-
versed with any. Her qaestions of the various
countries with which was familiar, indicated
aremarkable knowledge of literature, and an
incredible store of information.
We progressed in intimacy, and as our con-
versation turned on the causes which induced
somany 70 leave their native land, laughing1y
remarked that owed my own trayelssto falling
With q pretty girl into a ford. .~-....
I had hardly spoken these words, ere the
blood mounted to her face, and was succeeded
by quite a remarkable paIeness. [ attributed
this TO the heat of the room--laughe --and Ut
her request proceeded to give. the details ofmy
ford adventure with Helen Graham, which |
III ,r1.1,r,,,, o,1o,s tl,,