The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-07-13
A Pleasant Love Story.

I Our TnOIHeTS were Oiu pldS ulotCS ohd uisS
cousins Ny first recollection is of, boy. in
| a red frock and morocco shoes, rocking cradle
in which reposed sunnyhared, blue-eyed
baby not quite year old. That boy was my
self-Harry Church; that blue-eyed baby was
Mary Moore
Later still, see myself at the little school
house, drawing my little chaise 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, fear, was some
thing of a firt, even in her pinafores. How
elegantly she came trippling down the steps
when called her name! how sweetlg 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 to her lips |
followed that laugh from my days of childhood
till grew to be an awkward. blushng youth
Il followed it through the heated noon of
manhood-and now, when the frosts of age are
silvering my hair, and many children climb nv
knee and call me father, l find that the memo
ries of youth are strong. and that even in gray
hairs, l am following its music still.
When was fifteen the first great sorrow oil
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
wears! This, to me, was like sentence of
death for Mary was like life itself to me.
: But hearts are tough things after all. left
college in all the flush and vigor Of my nine
teenth year. l was no longer awkward and
embarrassed. l had grown INTO atall, slender
r STRIPPING. with very good opinion of myself,
\ both in general and particular. II thought
of Mary Moore, it was to imagine how l would
! dazzle and bewildered her with my good looks
and wonderful attainments never thinking that
D she might dazzle and bewilder me more. /
e was coxcomb, know; but as youth and good
!, looks have fled, trust may be believed when
a say that self-conceit has left me also.
IS An advantageous proposal WAS made to me
at this time, and acceptingit, gave up all idea
y of profession, and | prepared to go TO the
7 Indies. In my hurried visit home of two days
jc | saw nothing of Mary Moore-She had gone
s. to a boarding school at some distance, and was
" not expected home till the following May
e. uttered one sigh to the memory OF my blue
:, eyed playmate and then called myself "a man
again,
In year., l thought, as the vehicle whiried
away from our door IN year, or three years
at the very most, | will return, and. if Mary
is as pretty as she used to be, why then, per
haps, | may marry her.
o. And thus settled the future of young lady
q whom had not seen for four years l neve
thought of the possibility of her refusing me
81 never dreamed that she would not condescenC
se 10 accept my offer;
es But now know that, had Mary met me then
Try she would have despsed me. Perhaps, IN th
III scented and affected student she might hav
in plenty of sport; but as for loving me, or feel
,th ING the slightest interest in me, should haV
is narhans fnund I was mistaken.
India was my salvation. not merely oecaus
'"' of nv success, but because my laborous indus
IN: try had couneracted the evil in my nature, an
made me a better man. When at the end {
three years prepared to return, said notf
nd ;no of the rpforn1ation in myself which kne
Sid had taken place
nd They loved me as / was murmured
myself, and they shall find out for themselvt
her whether am better worth loving than formerly
- | packed up many token, from that land
US romance and gold for the friends l hoped
= meet. The gift for Mary Moore Iseected vii
II a beating heart; it was ring OF rough vrg
pold. with nv name and hers engraved lnslc
sb. that was all, and yet the sight of the lit
lch TOW STRANGELY thrilled me as l balanced II upc
In the tip Of my finger :,
us Toithe ewes of others it was but small pla
circlet, suggesting thoughts perhaps, by It's ei
ms. pance. of the beautiful white hands that was
Y's wear it. But to me, how much was embodIt
Silk there! A loving smile on beautiful tace-Io
yl2 an, words of welcome; future home, and swe
and smiling face-a group of merry children
ces; climb nv knee-all these delights were hldd
7Y's within that little ring Of gold!
cap Tall bearded and sun bronzed, knocked
ats ats the door of my fathers hsuse. The lights
the parIor windows and the hum of conVeFsat
g. and cheerful laughter showed me that compa
H., were assembled there Ihoped my sister Liz
US would come TO the door, and that might gre
,ho my family when no strange eye was look'I
Sta curiousIy on.
Rut no-a servant answered my summon
bile They were too merry in the parIor to heed
The lnn,t absent one when he asked for admttan(
hn ..e A Bitter thought like this was passing throu
the my mind. as / heard the sounds from the pS
IoT. and saw the half suppressed smile up
very the servants face
The b..sifated for moment before l made m
II ks self known or asked after the family :.
- And while stood silent, strange apPantl
,,raw nm before me. From behind the serva
Deered out small golden tidy. deci
form followed, and sweet, childish face, W
ners blue ewes was lifted up to mine-so like to tho
New Of one who had brig ghtened my boyhood. IL
ery, | started back with a sudden feeling OF paIr
.,What is your name, my little one?' ask
and while the wondering servant held the door.
She lifted up her hands as if to shade
su- eyes Il had seen very attitude in another IN
-x-s boyhood, many and many tme') and
EMS swered in sweet bird like voice:
ring MARY Moore"
. And what else?'' asked quickly.
ide- MARY Moore Chester" lisped the child
~, NV heart sank down like lead, Here was
q end to all the bright dreams and hopes OF
= youth and manhood. Frank Chester, my be
sh rival, who had often tried, and tried IN va
lie to unsurp my place beside the girl, had ST
ceeded at last, and had won her away from n
and, This was his child-his child and Mary's!
sank body and soul, beneath this bio
aFtl- ,,1 and hiding my face in my hands lean
y l,'a be against the door while my heart wept tears
blood The little one gazed at me. grieV
hole and amazed and put up her pretty lip as ab'
had to cry, while the perpleIed servant stepped
! !, on the paror door and called my sister out, to
= who it could be that conducted himself
strangely.