Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-07-11
MISCELLANY.
HAIRY MOORE.
CHAPTER 1.


first cousins Ny first recollection Of my
self is Of boy in red frock and morocco
shoes rocking cradle in which reposed
year old. That boy was myself, Harry
Church, that blue eyed baby. was Mary
Moore.
Inter still, see myself at the little school
house, drawing my little chaSe up to the
door, that 81 ry might ride home. Many
beating have gained on such an occason,
for other boys besides myself liked her, and
she, fear, was something Of tlirt, even
in her pinafores. How elegantly she came
tripping down the steps, when called her
name. How sweetly her blue eyes looked
up at me- How gayly rang out her merry
laugh. That fairy hugh No one but
Mary could bring her heart so soon to her
lips. / fingered beneath tie tones of that
laugh from my days of childhood till grew
an awkward, bushing youth followed it
through the heated noon of manhood-and
now, when the frosts ofnge are silvering my
hair, and many children climb my knee and
call me father, find that the memories Of
youth are strong, and that even in gray hairs
am following its music still,
When was fifteen, the FIRST great sorrow
Of my life came upon my heart. was sent
TO school, and was obliged to part with Ma
ry. We were not TO sec each other for
three long years. This, TO me was like
sentence of death, for Mary was like life it.
self to me-
But hearts are tough things after all.
left college in the flush and ygor of my
nineteenth year. was no longer awkward
nd 1I.,r. III
slender strpling with good opinion of
myself both in general and particular If
thought of Mary Moore, il was to imag
inc how would dazzle and bewilder her
with my good looks and wonderful attain
ments, never thinking that she might dazzle
and bewilder me sill more. / was cox.
comb, butas youth and good looks have
fled, | trust may be believed when say
that self. conceit has left me-
An advantageous proposal was made 10
me at tho time, and accepting it / gave up
all idea of profession, and prepared to
go to the Indies. In my buried visit home
OF two days saw nothing Of Mary Moore
She was gone to Il boarding school at some
distance, and was not expected home until
the following May. uttered one sigh to
the memory of my little blue-cyed playmate,
and then called myself "a man again"
In year." | thought, as the vehicle
whiled away from our door, "in year, or
three years at most will return, and if
Mary is as pretty as she used 10 be, why,
then, perhaps may marry her"
An thus | settled the future of a young
lady whom had not met in four years
never thought of the possibility Of her re-
fusng me-never dreaming that she might
not condescend 10 accept my offer.
Butnow know that, had Mary met me
then, she might have despised me. Per-
haps in the scented and affected student she
might have found plenty Of sport; but as
for loving me, or feeling the slightest inter
est in me, | should have perhaps found
WAS mistaken.
India was my salvation, not merely be-
cause of my success, but because my labo
rious industry countcracted the evil IN my
nature, and made me better man. When
al Tue ehl Of three years prepared 20 re
turn, ] said nothing of the reformation in
myself which knew had taken place
"They loved me as | was" murmured
to myself, "and they shall find out for them.
selves whether | am better worth loving
than formerly"
packed up many token from the land
of romance and gold, for the friends hoped
to meet The gift for Mary Moore select
ed with a beating heart; it was a ring of
rough, virgin gold with my name and hers
engraved on the nside--that was all, and
yet the sight of that little toy strangely
thrilled me as placed it upon The tip of
my finger
To the sight of others it was but plain
small circlet, suggesting thoughts, perhaps
by its elegance. of the beautiful white hand
that was TO wear it, But to me, how much
was embodied there. A loving smile on
beautiful face-low words of welc0me---a
future home, and Mary for its mstress--aii
these delights were hidden within ihat little
ring of gold.
CHAPTER IT.
Tall, bearded, and sun bronzed, have
Knocked at the door of my fathers house.
The lights in the parlor windows and the
hum of conversation and cheerful lau ;hIer
showed n,e that company we've assembled
there. hoped my sister Lizzie would come
10 the door, and that might greet the fam.
ly when no stranger eye was looking curl.
ously on. ~
But no--a servant answered my summons
They were too merry in the parlor to heed
the long absent one when he asked for adj
mittance. A bitter thought like this was
Vaseino, throu1h nv mind as heatI tLa