The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-05-04
N Any NJ OORE.
A Pleasant Love Story.

N N MOOAE.
Plsasan, Love sssry.
CHAPTER l.
All my life had known Mary Moore. All
my life loved her.
Our mothers we're old playmates and frs.
cousins.
My first recollections are Of . boy, in .
red frock and morocco shoes, rocking . era.
die in which reposed . sunny haired, blos-
eyed baby, not quite year old. That boy
was myself-Harry Church; that blue-eyed
baby was Mary Moore.
Later still, lses myself at the little school
house, drawing my little ohaiss up to the
door, that Mary might ride home. Many .
beating have gained on such occasions, for
other boys besides me liked her, and she,
tear, was something Of firt even in her
pinaforss. How elegantly she came tripping
down the steps when called her name how
swsetly her blue eyes looked up at me how
gayly rang out her merry laugh That fairy
laugh No one but Mary could ever bring
her heart so soon to her lips! followed
that laugh from my days Of childhood till
grew an awkward, blushing youth follow
Cd it through the heated noon Of manhood
and now, when the frosts Of age are silvering
my hair, and many children climb NY knee
and call me tfather,"l end that the memo
ries Of youth are strong, and that, even 10
gray hairs, | am following its music still.
When was fifteen the 6rst great sorrow
OF my life came upon my heart. was sent
to school, and WAS obliged to part with Mary.
We were not to see each other for three long
years. This, to me, Was like = sentence Of
death, for Mary was like life itself to me.
But hearts are tough things after all.
llfsl college in ell the flush and vigor Of
my Nineteenth year. was NO longer awk-
ward and embarrassed. had grown into
tall, slender STRIPPING, with . very good
opinion of myself, both in general and par
sicular. II thought Of Msry Moore, i, was
to imagiue how would dazzle and bewilder
her with my good looks and wonderful at
tainments thinking that she might
dazzle and bewildsr me still more. was a
coxcomb, know; bpt as youth and good
looks have fed, trust | may be believed
when say that self-conceit has also left
me.
An advantageous proposal vas made TO
me 1t this time, aud, accepting it, gave up
all idea Of profession, and prepared to 70
to the Indias.
In nv hurried visit home Of two DAYS, 1
saw nothing OF Mary. She had .sone to .
school at some distance, and was
not expected home till May.
uttered one sigh to the memory Of my
little playmate, and then called myself "a
man again"
10 year, thought, as the vehicle rolled
away from our door--in year, or three at
most, will return, and if Mary is % pretty
- she used to be, then, perhaps, shall mar
y her.
And thus l settled the future Of . Young
ady whom had not seen for four years.-
never thought Of the possibility OF her 70.
using me-never dreamed she would not
'ondescend to accept my Offer.
But now | know that, had Mary met me
hen, she would have dsspised me.
Perhaps, in the scented and affected stu
lent she might have found plenty of sport
'ut Is for loving, or feeling the slightest in
crest 10 me, should have found myself
India Was my salvation, not only because
4 my success, but because my laborious in
lnssry had counteracted the evil Of my ma
ure, and made me wiser and better
nan.
When, at the end of three years, 1 pre-
oteA w i0tuiu shtu uOtuluX Oh the rofOr- |
nation IN myself which knew had taken
lace.
They loved me Is was, thought 70 my
ell, and they may find out for themselves
whether ! am better worth loving than form
rly.
packed up many token from that land
4 romance and gold, for the friends hoped |
o meet.
The gift for Mary Moore / seleeted with
beating hsart;it was ring Of rough, virgin |
,oli, with her name aud mine engraved IN. |
ide-shss was all, and We, the sight OF the
little toy strangely thrilled me - balanced
on the tip Of my finger.
10 the eyes OF others it was but . small. |
'iain clrclet, suggesting thoughts, perhaps,
y its elegance, Of the beautiful white hand
hat was TO wear it. But to mellow much
vas embodied there! A loving smile on .
beautiful face--low words Of wslcome-s
uture home, aid q sweet smiling faee-a
'roup OF merry children to climb my knee
u these delights were hidden in that little
ing Of gold