Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-05-23

First Love.
"Am / your only and first love?"
asked bright eyed girl as she reclined
her classicaIly monlded brow upon the
shoulder Of her lover.
ono, Leila you are not my only nor
my first: have loved another and love
the other still"
Love that other still, md better than
me! Paul, why do you tell me that?,,
asked she raising her blue eyes and gazing
steadiastly in those of her lover, half in
sorrow, while her jeweled fingers tighten
ell colvulsyely upon his arms.
lyon ask me, Leila, and | ansewred
with truth and sincerity: you would not
have me deceive you?"
"You love her still, then ?"
81 love her stil?"
"No better, bnt as well?"
even as well, do | love the dear erea-
ture, and the memory of her often softens
down my heart and tears"
"And will you love her still?'
"Cntil death, and even beyond death:
even her last resting place will l strew
with Springs earliest flowers.
>, ,Handsomer than |, is she
"iier eyes are black as night, and her
hair in glossy blackness outstrips the wing
Of the raven. She has not your sweet
blue eyes, nor soft brown hair, yet oh,
Leila! her eyes have been the sweetest
eyes to me that ever looked the look of
love"
"Paul, why do you wish to break my
heart? Why have you taught me to love
you so wildly and biudly, and then. in
the midst Of my happiness, tell me there
was an impossible barrier between us?-
This night we must part forever! would
not believe this had another tcld me-"
and her eyes grew dim with tears.
"Be nottoo rash, Leila, but hear me 10
the end-you love me too dearly to part
with me thus. Think you that you could
not share my heart with one that so
love?"
Never, Paul, never!''
" You shall, Leila, and you must. Lis
ten for a moment while l tell you of my
first love, and am sure you will be will
ling to share with her then"
II will listen, Paul, but will not share
your love. must have all or none l
am selfish in that respect-and who, that
loves as do, is not? Forget me Paul,
Or forget her forever!"
'Forget her, Leila! Never! l would
not lose one Joy Of her pure affection for
the fairest face that ever bloomed-no, not
forthe girdle Of Venus, or second Hell
enr'
Then Paul, you are lost 20 me forev-
er, we must part! Farewell to every dream
of bright future! love you too well,
aught created. O!Paul, You have wrong
ed Inc deeply" and her exquisitely chis-
eled lips curled with indignant sorrow.
Stop, Leila, or you will deeply wrong
me also. | met this loved one, as l said
before, long years ago, in one of the sweet
est, sunniest wales of our broad Illinois
wandered with her, hand in hand for
years besides the sparkling waters of my
1 childhood's home. First, by her smile OF
exquisite sweetness, she taught my heart
| that she loved me with unutterable fond
ness, and never have doubted-my trust
| in her has been steadfast and fearless
never has her eyes looked coldly upon
me and will not till the death angel shall
/ dim them for the long sleep. Oft in the
still night have been awakened, as if by.
the gentle tanning of the sleep gods wing
and beheld that face, those eyes gazed up
! on me with all the beatic tenderness ofa
guardian angel over repenting prodigal
and a kiss would fall upon my brow: the
same gentle hand has led me along life's
fowerv way, and beside its unrutfied wa
tiers: and if my arm was raised to do
deed Ct wrong, or my heart steeled to
conceive it, gentle admonitory voice
come whispering into my ear. and stayed
me midway, and drew the iron from the
other. And well remember in my man
hoods ripper years, whin deep sorrow fell
upon my soul, and l would fain have
drank oblivion from the wine cups fiery
brim, that same dark eyed woman came
and bade, in the name OF God, to shun the
fatal snare, and, twining her arms around
my neck, while her eyes beamed with
loves deep inspiration, she pours oil up
on the troubled water: told OF purer hopes
and higher aims, and in my ears she
whispered of golden world that has
out-lived all sorrow.'
leila would you know the name
of my first love? IT'S my mother!'
80! Paul, I'll forgive, and will share
your love-indeed will"
Il knew you would Leila. Second
love is as dear as the frSt"