Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-02-27

a Maria and myself had known each otl
II er from childhood up, and were preti
intimate in our friendship. When WI
!. twenty-five years of age, ! concluded [
take trip through the States and as
had been indisposed for some time bacl
with loss of appetite, no sleep, etc,
made this my excuse travelled for N
health When ] made this declaration
there was nothing like travelling 70
health-everybody recommended it. G
l started with the intention of being alb
sent year or more. Travelling, l mus
say, agreed with me completely, for a
The first stepping place, made as heart
meal as any ofmy fe.lowpassenge rs; ant
when | stopped for the night, slept a
sound as a roach. To tell the truth,
teigned sickness to get away from home
The real motive Of my departure was, my
feelings toward Maria began TO change ;
always had foolish longing to be neai
her, and singular feeling Of regret wher
she was away from home when | called tc
spend social evening; and then there
was apeculiar sensation about my heart
when saw her engaged closely in con.
Versatlon with any Of my companions, or
when she bestowed upon them a smile.
In fact began to feel something more
than friendship towards her. l did not
let her know the state Of my mind but
laughed and frolicked with her rs much
as ever. My affection for her increased
daily. Not knowing, however, but that
my love might prove only momentarv,
and wishing to know whether absence
would wear it of-for il had always been
my determination, that when | welded.
1t should not be merely union of hands
but a union of hearts, determined
without binting the object of my journey
to Maria, or even giving her the slight.
est reason 20 suspect the nature of my
feelings towards her-to take the journey,
and if time did not alter my heart when
returned, to offer myself to her. went
on my journey-visited all noted places
mingled in company as much as possible
-trihed with the ladies ia the fashiona-
BILE way still, though surrounded with
beauty in every engaging form-though
hattered and caressed-after all, a thought
Of Maria caused a throb, which none of
the lovely ones around me could create.
Her image kept fast hold upon my heart,
and wouldn't leave il. Finding, after an
of six months, that the complaint
that caused me to leave home increased
rather than diminished, l fastened my
-eturn, and arrived home on the aforesaid
irst of January.
When l reached Maria's place of abode
md began to ascend the steps in front of
he house, my heart quaileG little. I
began to grow faint hearted, and to think !
II what manner l should pop the ques-
ion | regretted that l had not studied |
ny part before / left home. | hestated |
IS [ took hold OF the bell llnob-my
,reath grew shorter and my nerves shook.
was relinqrIshing my hold with the in
entioE of taking short stroll around .
he square to think over what to say
n fact, got half way down the steps,
linking | would put off my declaration
ntil another time--when the thought of
ieorge and his wife, and the pleasant
venings we should have together fixed
ny wavcring heart. So, with renewed de-
| turned and ran ur the
teps, opened the door, and proceeded to
he parlor,
As good luck would have il, there sae
Laria on the sofa, all alone, looking as be
itching as an angel. She blushed as she
rose and joyfully extended her hand. |
ave it q hearty shake and squeezed it
on know how, reader, dare say. | was
Imost tempted to do violence by kissing
. but thinking it would seem sweeter af-
,r the trembling Yes, had been said, L
How glad am that you have return
1, sold she, and how improved you
,ok =
This was said in such tone of affection
lat | began to coon over an answer,
hich would weaken the ice, and give her
hint ofwhat was coming.
Yes replied, i feel wonderfully
nproved; and it appears to me- I con,
nued, there is also an improvement in
our appearance--you-'
But how was you pleased with your
'urney interrupting me, while deli
'te Hush passed over her. cheeks, did
gu not meet with some Southern beauty, !
no weaned your heart fro n your native
lace2
Here was fine opening
No, Maria, home is home. and ever
ear must confess, however, that /
IS greatly pleNsed with the ladiss Of the
outh, Jet ! saw none that 7ould com.