Smyrna times., 1858-03-25
INTERESTING SKETCH.
Written for the Smyrna Times.
UNCLE JOSE EPH'S STORY
KENT Co , MD.
BIZ ExPONEST.

Suddenly entering the Library yesterday,
found Uncle Joseph lniently and abstractedly
gazing on a luck Of hair which he held in his
haud. 1t was not contained in gold locket,
or any other kind Of fancful case, but had a
simple piece OF blue ribbon bound around the
end Of It but the raven blackness Of the hair
was IN striking contrast with the old mans
white locks.
"What have yeu. there?" said |, when
had approached him.
He looked up somewhat confused, and, after
few moments pause, replied, prefacing his
remarks with one Of those deep-drawn sghs
with which old people always introduce a SUBJ
jet relating to the past, at is a lock of hair
as you see."
"Yes, | see it is lock Of hair, and it seems
10 possess uncommoA interest with you, Uncle;
there is some very interesting story connected
with it, am very sure; love story perhaps"
said | !; for Uncle Joseph was an cid bachelor,
and love to tease him about his ancient love
adventures "Uncle," / continued. "every
old bachelor has some reason for never having
married, aud | suspect yours is connected with
that lock of hair. Now tell US, Uncle, whose
hair was ibls!"
Her name is on the ribbon attached" said
he, laying It IN my hand. | took it and read
"ADELLE BOYLE" neadly worked upon the rib.
bon with needle.
"Iam an old white haired man now," he COM
menced." i" but was once young as you are,
and younger, too, and my hair was black as
that lock you hold in your hand. II was when
was younger than you that was school
boy, and Adele Boyle was a schoolgirl. My
way 10 school led by her fathers house, and
hence we always went TO school and returned
IN company. | used to carry her basket and
books, gather strawberries for her, aud be gull
ty of such other ittIe acts of galantry as you
school-boys are prone TO commit. Several years
passed in this manner, and those school-boy
days were the happest of my life they are
happiest in the life of every one.
"When | was about seventeen years Of age
and Adele fourteen, my father determined to
remnye and seek bis fortune in the far West
had m Iguiicent idea of the West, as young
persons generally have Of dista ut countries, and
was very desirOus to emigrate. The evening
before the day of our departure went over to
bid Adele farewell. I found her in the ORCH
ard with large boqust Of roses in her bosom.
She came running to meet me in her usual
childish manner, though quickly perceived
that she could not rally herselfto appear cheer
ful as usual. I had never told her that loved
her, nor heard the confession from her lips that
she loved me. That vas unnecessary; both OF
US had always known that, ever since we had
known anything. | took her hand in RIne
and told her, had come to bid her goodbye
for long time-perhaps forever. Her hand
trembled and tears stood in her pretty eyes al
she looked into mine and said, You will come
back and see US again before many years, won
youl know we shall all want to see yot
very much assured her that would Ger.
tsinIy come back ere long, though few year,
seemed very long, indeed, to be separated from
her. cannot tell you all our conversation thai
evening, and would not could, but befor.
we parted she gave me this lock of her hair
which she made me premise to keep until
should see her again.
sCommun.caton between the East and I'll.
wss. was not rapid then as il is now, fer ths
was ffty years ago, and it was very seldom in
deed that / heard from Adele. But receives
a few letters full Of love and sadness. Min
10 her brsathed pretty nuch the same spirit--
Five years passed 10 this rasnner. | loye
Adele none the less on account of our Ion,
separation. Fortune had smiled upon nae; All,
] had erected a neat cottage in q romsnti
sT0ss. On enc side Of which stretched . psairi