The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-07-23

!, lnsing me-never dreamed that she would
d no, sloop with grateful tears TO pick up the
: hankerchef whenever | chose to throw it
al her feet.
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 seemed
, and effected student she might have found
, plenty OF sport but as Tor loving me, or
J feeling The slightest interest in me, save a
'regfet that should make such an unmil-
igated donkey OF myself know she would
not.
India was nay salvation, not merely be-
cause OF the plentiful share OF gold / had
laid up, bqt because my earnes, labor
counIeracted the evil of nature and made
me better man. And when at the end of
three years prepared 10 return, wrote
nothing to the dear ones was about 10
meet of the relormaiions which knew had
taken place. They loved me as was"
| murmured 10 myself, .'and they shall find
for themselves if am better worth the
loving as am"
packed uptmany token from that land
of gold for the many friends was TO meet.
The gift for Mary Moore was one seec-
ted with beating heart ring of rough
virgin gold, with my name and. hers in
grayed inside. That was all, and yet the
littIe toy thrilled me strangely as | balanced
il on the tip OF my finger To the eyes
of others it was but small plain circlet
suggesting thoughts, by its dain.iness, OF
the dainty white hard that was TO wear it.
But 10 me-oh, me, how much was embod.
led there A loving smile on a beautiful
face-low words of welcome-a happy
home and sweet face smiling there--a
group OF merry children 10 climb my knee
-all these delights were hidden within
'ha. little ring of gold.
A tall, bearded, sun bronzed man,
] | knocked at the door of ny fathers
house. The lights in the parlor windows,
and the hum OF conversation, and cheerful
/ laughter showed me that company were
assembled there. hoped that my sister
Lizzie would come to The door and that |
]
eyes were looking cariously on. But no
servant answered my summons they
were 10 merry in tie paslor TO heed ihe
long absent Que when he asks for admit>
lance Some such bitter thought was pass
lng through my mind, as | heard the sounds /
from the parlor, and saw thehslf suppressed T
smiles upon The servants face.
hesitsted momen, before made my. |
sell known, or asked Tor the family. And !
while stood silent strange apparilion
grew up before me. From behind the ser
want peered sout small, golden head,
iiny, delicate form followed, and swee.
childish face and blue eyes were lifted up
10 mine so like the one that had brighten>
ed my boy hood that started back with
sudden feeling OF pam.
"Whai may Jour name be, little one ?''
asked, willis the wondering servant held
The door,
She lifted up her hand as If to shade her
Il had seen that very attitude in another, in
my boyhood, many and many ume) aud
answered in sweet, bird like voice,
bAdIJ oiOOfey
''AEd what else o. asked.
'Mary Moore Chester, Iisped the little
child.
My heart sunk down like lead. Here
was an end TO all the brigh, dreams and
hopes of NY youth and manhood. Frank
Chester. my boyish rival who had often
tried in vain 10 nsurp my place beside the
girl. had succeeded al last, and won the
child-his child and Mary's. And mrsi
go in there and meet her once again, and
then go away forever and def God
would let me
sank body and soul beneath this blow
and hiding my face in my hands leaned
against the door. The lille one gazed at
me grieved and amazed, and put up her
pretty lips as il about to cry, while the
pefplexed servant stepped 10 the parIor door
and called my sister out 10 find oul who it
could be that conducted himself SO strange
Is
heard ligh, siep and pleasant voice,
saying:
'.Did you wish 70 see my father srl Z"
| looked up. There stood pretty,
sweet faced maiden of twenty, not much
changed from The dear lille sister had
loved so well : looked at her moment
aud then sliIling The tumu!i OF my hear, by
a mighty effort, | opened my arms and
said Il
Jennie, don't you know me %
Harry. On my brother Harry !'' she
cried, and threw herself upon my breasl,-
She wep, as if her hear would break. |
could not weep. drew her gently n,o
The lighted parIor, and stood with her pc
fore Them all There was rush aud cry
Of Joy and then my mother and my father