The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-07-22
Mary NJ GORE.
All my life long / had known Mary Moore

red frOck and morocco ShOeS, rocking tHe era
die, in which reposed sunny haired, blue
eyed baby, not quite q year old That boy
was |, myself-Harry Church; that blue-eyed
baby was Mary Moore
Later still, see myself at little school
house drawing my little chaise up to the door,
that Mary mig ght ride home. Many a beating
have l gained on such occasions for other boys
besides me liked her, and she, I fear, was some
thing of firt, even in her pinafores. How
elegantly she came tripping down the steps,
when I called her name-how sweetly her
blue eyes looked up at mellow gaily rang
out her merry laugh! No one but Mary could
ever bring her heart SO soon to her lips. fol-
lowed that laugh from my days childhood, till
1 grew an awkward blushing youth follow
ed it through the heated noon of manhood
and now, when the frosts OF age are sllverng
my hair, and my 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 Mary
We were not to see each other for three long
years! 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 the college in all the flush and vigor
of my nineteenth year. was no longer awk-
ward and embarrassed. | had grown into
tall, slender STRIPPING, with a very good opinion
of myself, both in general and particular. If
, thought of Mary Moore, it waste imagine how
would dazzle and bewilder her with my good
looks and wonderful attainments-never think
: ing that she might dazzle and bewllder me
: still more. Twas sad coxcomb | know; but
as youth and good looks have fed, | trust |
5 may be believed, when say that self-concelt
= has left me also.
An advantageous proposal was made to me
at this time, and accepting it, | gave up all
idea of profession, and prepared to 60 to the
Indies In my hurried visithome two days
l saw nothing of Mary Moore. She had gone
to a boarding school at some distance, and was
not expected home till the following May.
uttered one sigh to the memory Of my little
blue-ey playmate, and then called myself {
man again.
I'm year" I thought; as the vehicle whirl
ed away from our door-''in ayear, or three
years, at the very most, | will return, and,
y Mary is as pretty as she used TO be-why then
perhaps, may marry nef
And thus settled the future of a young lad,
whom | had not seen for four years. l neve
thought once of the possibility of her refusing
!. mel never dreamed that she would not con
descend to accept my offer.
=, But now know that, had Mary met m
ct then she would have despised me. Perhap:
r in the scentedeand effected student she mgi
: have found plenty of sport; but as for lovln
= me- should perhaps have found L was ml'
taken.
India was my salvation, not merely becaus
of nv success, but because my laborIous II
in dustry had counteracted the evil in my natu
it'll and made me better man. When at tt
nd end of three years. Iprepared to return, lsa
nothing of the reformation in myself which
knew had taken place.
"Thev loved me as | was,'' [ murmured
myself, "and they shall find out for themselv
whether I am better worth loving than forme
]y."
packed up many token from that lar
of romance and gold, for the friends hoped
meet. The gift for Mary Moore selected WI
a beating heart. 1t was ring of rough, vi
es- gin gold, with my name and hers engraved
side-that was ALL and yet the sight of the !
-
5 on the tip of my finger.
To the eyes ofothers, it was but small, pls
'3o circlet, suggesting thoughts, perhaps, by It's
egance of the beautiful white hand that was
wear it, But TO me, how much was embodl
there! A loving smile on beautiful tace
to low words of welcome--a happy home, ane
GROUP of merry children to climb my knee
ii; all these delights were hidden in the little II
of gold!
emf Tall, bearded, and sun bronzed, [ knock
at at the door of my fathers house. The llg
in the parlor windows and the hum of conv
=. sation and cheerful laughter, showed me tt
company was assembled there L hoped !
sister, Lizzie, would come to the door, and tt
might greet my family when no strange
lor- was looking curously on.
I;e' But no a servant answered my summons
wer They were too merry in the parlor to heed
Gin absent one, when he asked Tor admttance
for bitter thought like this was passing throv
ars' my mind, as l heard the sounds from the P
the lor, and saw the half suppressed smile VI
heir the servants face.
'ans Ibesitated for a moment, before made I
bil- self known, or asked after the family.
while stood silent, a strange appantlon g.
. up before me. From behind the servant pc
ed out small golden head tiny, deIie
form followed, and sweet, childish face,
t. blue eyes, was lifted up to mine-so like
fesh those of one who had frightened by boyho
nast ant that started, back with sudden feeling
will pain.
oun- "What is your name my little one?'' a
are ed while the wondering servant held the dt
tive we She lifted up her hand as if to shade
npt- eyes Il had seen that very attitude in an0tl
answered in sweet, bird-li voice
,cof- 'Mary Moore
con, .sAnd what else?" asked quickly.
ring, "Marv Moore Chester" lsped the child
oas oaI, Nv heart sank down like lead Here
nns SI an end to all the bright dreams and hopes
their nv youth and manhood Frank Chester,
nok- boyish rival, who had often tried, and tree
rye vain, to usurp my place beside the girl,
,ars ana succeeded at last, and had won her away Fl
sins, SINS me! This was his child and Mary's!
sank, body and soul, beneath this blow,
's1s den- hiding my face in my hands, leaned aga
Snre, jn q the door, while my heart wept tears of biz
il8 The little one gazed at me, grleved and an
- J ava ,rt,n her nretty lips as If about to