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

er from Childhood up, ana were pretty
intimate in our friendship. When / was
twenty-five years of age, l concluded to
take a trip through the States and as l
had been indisposed for some time back,
with q loss Of appetite, no sleep, ETC., 1
made this my excuse L travelled for my
health.' When made this declaration,
there was nothing. like travelling for
health-everybody recommended it. So
started with the intention of being alb
sent year or more. Travelling, l must
say, agreed with me completely, for at
the first stopping place. made as hearty
a meal as any ofmy fe.lowpassengers RS; and
when l stopped for the night | slept as
sound as roach. To tell the truth, |
feigned sickness to get away from home.
The real motive of my departure was, my
feelings toward Maria began 10 change /
always had foolish longing to be near
her, and singular feeling of regret when
she was away from home when | called to
spend a social evening; and then there
was peculiar sensation about my heart
when l saw her engaged closely in con-
versation with any of my companions, or
when she bestowed upon them a smile.
In fact began to feel something more
than friendship towards her. did not
let her know the state of my mind, but
laughed and frolicked with her rs much
as aver My affection for her Increased
daily Not knowing, however, but that
my love might prove only momentary,
and wishing to know whether absence
would wear it of,-for il had always been
my determination, that when welded,
it should not be merely union of hands
! but union of hearts, determined,
without limiting 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. Iwent
on my journey--visited all noted places
mingled in company as much as possible
-trihed with the ladies ia the iashiona-
BILE way still, though surrounded with
beauty in every engaging form-though
/ hattered and caressed-after all, a thought
of Maria caused 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
absence of six months, that the complaint
that caused me to leave home increased
rather than diminished, ! fastened my
return, and arrived home on the aforesaid
| first of January. .r.r..
When reached Maria's place Of abode
and began to ascend the steps in front of
the house, my heart quaile6 little.
began to grow faint hearted, and to think
in what manner should pop the ques'
ton / regretted that had not studied
my part before left home. | hesitated
as l took hold of the bell knob-my
breath grew shorter, and my nerves shook
was relnqrishing my hold with the in
tentior of taking short stroll around
the square to think over what to say
in fact, got half way down the steps
} thinking would put off my declaration
until another time-when the thought o
George and his wife, and the pleasant
evenings we should have together, fxeC
!; my wavering heart. So, withrenewed de
, termination, turned and ran up tn,
steps, opened the door, and proceeded Il
f the parlor. ....
As good luck would have ii, there ca
, Maria on the sofa, all alone, looking as be
witching as an angel. She blushed as sh
arose and joyfully extended her hand.
e gave it hearty shake and squeezed it
b you know how, reader, l dare say. we
S almost tempted to do violence by kissin
;. it, but thinking it would seem sweeter af
= ter the trembling YES, had been said,
= refrained. ........
l How glad l am that you have return
y ed sold she, and how improved yo
5. look
This was said in such tone of affectio
IF that | began to coon over an answe
= which would weaken the ice, and give he
1t a hint of what was coming. t.
r. Yes, replied, feel wonderful
,e improved; and it appears TO me-, col
d tinued, there is also an improvement
10 your ppearance-you-'v r.. .
" But how was you pleased with yo'
10 journey interrupting me, while del
y, cate flush passed over her cheeks, d
id YOU not meet with some Southern beaut
ID who weaned your heart fro n your nati'
ID plaoe9 rnt .iV on
j. Here was fine opening.
TO mo, Maria, home is home, and ev
lie dear. must confess, however, that
IN WIS greatly rleNsed with the LADIES' OF Il