The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-05-28
s--=.sAF-H
MARY MOORE.

ms my ursL feSOheONtoh - VI SOuu6
gentleman in turkey red frock and morocco
shoes, rocking q cradle. in which reposed a
sunny haired, blue eyed baby, not quite
yssr DID,. The young gentlemen was 4, ny.
self Harry Church; that blue eyed baby was
Mary Moore. r-s s.-,.- s,-av a-.
Later still, saw myself at the little red
school house, drawing my painted sled up to
the door, and arranging my overcoat upon it,
that Mary might ride home. Many black
eye have gained on such occasions, for 9TH
er boys liked her besides me, and she, am
afraid, was something Of a fiirt, even in her
pinafOre. How daintily she came tipping
down the steps when I called her nsme!-
How sweetly her blue eyes looked up to me
from the envious fold, Of her winter hood!
How. .gaily her merry laugh rang out when
by dint Of superhuman exertion ! kept her
sled before the rest, and let her stand upon
,ths steps sxultingly to SEQ them all go by -
The fairy laugh! No one but Mary could
let her heart lie up SO on her lips! ! follow
cd that laughup from my days Of childhood,
till grew an awkward, blushing youth.
followed it through the heat Of manhood;
and now, when the frosts oi age are silvering
my hair, and many children climb TO my
knee and call me "ather,"I find that the
memories of youth are strong, and that, grey
hairs and all, am still following that music
still.
When I was fifteen. the first great sorrow
Of my life came upon me. | was sent away
TO western school, and was obliged to part
with Mary. We were not to see each other
for three long years. This, to me, was like
sentence Of death, for Mary was like life itself
to me. But hearts are very tough things,
after sll. left college in all the flush and
vigor Of my nineteenth year. / was no Ion
ger awkward and embarrassed. had grown
intos tall and slender stripping, with very
fair opinion Of myself in general and partic-
ular. If thought Of Mary Moore, it was to
imagine how would dazzle and .bewilder
her with my good looks and wonderful attain
ments, never thinking that she might dazzle
and bewilder me still more. was sad
puppy, know; but as youth and good looks
have fed, l trust may be believed when
saythat self.conceit has left ma also.
An advantageous proposal was made to me
at this time, and accepting it, gave up all
idss Of q pro fession and prepared 10 90 to
the Indies. In myshurried visit home Of
two days, saw nothing Of Mary Moore
She had gone to boarding school in Massa-
chusetts, and was not expected home till the
next fall. gave one sigh to the memory OF
my little playmate, and then called myself a
man once more. -.- .- .,a...,,-.
an year" Thought, as the stage whirl-
ed away from the door, "in year, or three
years al most, will return, and il Mary is
as she used to be--why, then, perhaps may
marry her. t& @@ - "a"
stroked back my budding moustache
with complaeency, while settled the future
oi syoung lady | had not seen for four years.
| never thought Of the possibility Of her re-
fusing me--never dreamed that she would
not stoop with grateful tears to pick up the
handkerchief whenever l chose.to throw it
at her feet. g s@s -
But now know that had Mary met me
then she would have despised me. She was
as far above me as the heavens are above the
earth. Perhaps, in the scented and affected
student she nigh. have found plenty o
sport; but as for loving me, or feeling the
slightest interest in me, save feeling Of re
gret that l should make such an unmitigatet
donkey of myself know she would not.
India was my salvation-not merely be
cause Of the plentiful share of gold hat
laid up, but because my earnest labor ha'
counteracted the evil nature and made me
better man. And when at the end Of thre
years prepared to return, l wrote nothing
to the dear ones about to meet the reforma
tons which knew had taken place. "The,
loved me as was" murmeged to myself
"and they shall find for themselyesif an
better worth the loving as am" = @ 81
Ipacked up many token from that lane
Of gold for The friends was about to meet
The gift for Mary Moore was ono / had Sc
sectod with beating heart--a ring of rough
virgin gold, with my name and her engrsve
inside. That was all, and yet the little to-
thrilled me strangely as balanced it upo
the tip Of my finger. To the eyes OF 9th
ers, it was but small plain circlet, suggest
ing thoughts, perhaps, by lis daintness, {
the dainty white hand that was to wear i
Butto me, oh, mellow much was embodie
there! A loving smile on beautiful face
low words of welcome--a happy home an
asweet face smiling there--a group OF merr.
children to climb my knee--all those delight
were hidden within that ring of gold.
"a tail, bearded, sun bronzed man, knock
cd at the door Of my fathers house. The
lights in the parlor windows and the hum
conversation and cheerful laughter shove
me that company. were assembled there.
hoped that my sister Lizzie would come t
the door. and that might greet my amil
when no strangers eyes were looking curl
ously on. But no, servant girl answered
my summons; they were too merry in tn
parlor to heed that long absent one when h
asked for admittance. Some such bite
thoughts were passing through my mind .
! heard the sounds from the parlor and say
thssuppresssd smile on the servants. face.
Ihesitsted moment before made myse
known or asked after the family. And Will
! stood silent, strange apparation grew u
before me. From behind the servant peere,
out small, golden head--a tiny, delicat'
form followed, and a sweet childish face, AM
blue eyes were lifted up to mine, SO like th
ones which had frightened my boyhood, tina