Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-12-04

1 sSoiS W piCA up TIC uduOkcI
chief whenever chose to throw it q
her feet. faT 7IF la 90
But now I know that had Mar,
met me then she would have despiset
me. She was as far above me as III,
heavens above earth. Perhaps, in th
scented and affected student, she nigh
have found plenty Of sport; but as 70
loving me, or feeling the slightest in
terest in me. save regretthat I shoult
make such an unmiligated donkey o
myself, / know she would not.
India was my salvation, not merely
because Of the plentiful share of gold
had laid up. but because my earnes
labor had eounteracted the evil of ma.
tute and made me better man. Anc
when at the end of three years l pre-
pared to return, l wrote nothing to the
dear ones I was about to meet Of the
reformatlons which l knew bad taken
place. "They loved me as 1 was," ]
mutmured to myself. "and they shall
find for themselves if I am better worth
the loving as l am.''
packed up many token from that
land Of gold for the friends l was about
TO meet. The gift for Mary Moore was
one selected with beating heart-a
ring of rough, virgin gold. with my
name anil hers engraved inside. That
was all. and yet the little toy thrilled
me strangely as l balanced it upon the
tip of my finger. To the eyes OF others
it was but a small. plain circlet, sug-
gestive though perhaps, by its dainti-
ness, Of the dainty white hand that was
to wear it. But to me-oh, mellow
much was embodied therel A loving
smile on a beautiful face-low words
Of welcome-a happy home and sweet
face smiling there-a group of merry
children to climb upon my knee--all
these delights were hidden in that ring
Of gold.
A tall, bearded, sun-bronzed man I
knocked at the door Of my fathers
house. The lights in the parlor win
dows and the hue of conversation and
cheerful laughter showed me that COM
pany was assembled there. hoped my
sister Lizzie would come to the door,
and that l might greet my family when
no Strangers eyes were looking curious
ly on. But no, a servant girl answered
my summons; they were too merry in
the palor to heed that long absent one
when he asked for admittance. Some
such bitter thoughts were passing
my mind as heard the sounds
from the parlor, and saw the half
suppressed smile on the .ervant's face.
/ hesitated a moment before / made
myself known or asked after the family.
And while / stood silent strange ap-
partition grew up before me. From be-
hind the servant peared out small.
golden head-a tiny delicate form fol-
lowed. and a sweet, childish face and
blue eyes were lifted up TO mine, so
like the one that had frightened my
boyhood, that 1 started back with a
sudden feeling of pain.
"What may your name be, little
one?" l asked, while the wondering
servant held the door.
She lifted up her hand as if to shade
her eye--1 had seen that very attitude
in another. in my boyhood. many and
many a time--and answered in sweet,
bird like voice
"Msry Moore"
. "And what else?" / asked.
"Mary Moore Chester" lisped the
little child. .
MY heart sunk down like lead. Here
was an end to all the bright dreams and
hopes of my youth and manhood
Frank Chester, my boyish rival, who
had tried in vain to usurp my place be-
side the girl, had succeeded at last and
won the woman away from mel And /
must go there and meet her once
again, and then go away for ever and
die--if God would let me.
/ sank, body and soul, beneath the
blow. and hiding my face in my hands,
leaned against the door. The little one
gazed at me, grieved and amazed, and
put her pretty lips as if about to cry,
while the perplexed servant stepped to
the parlor and called my sister out to
find out who il could be that conducted
himself so strangely. rl .l
I heard d light step and pleasant
voice saying.
"Did you wish to ses my father, sir?"
/ looked up. There stood pretty
sweet-faced maiden oftwehty, not much
changed from the dear sister I loved so
well. | looked at her moment, and
then, sitting the tumult of my heart
by an effort, l opened my arms, and
said:
'tJennie, don't you know me-"
"Harryl Oh my brother Harryl"
she cried, and threw herself upon my
breast. She wept as if her heart would
break. l could not weep. l drew her
gently into the lighted parlor, and stood
with her before them all. There was a
rush and a cry of Joy, and then my
mother and father sprang toward me
and welcomed me home with heartfelt
tears. Oh, strange and passing sweet
is such greeting to the wayworn trav-
eler. And as l held my dear old
mothers hand, while Jennie clung be-
side me, felt that all was not lost, and
though another had secured life's
choicest blessing. many a joy remained
for me in this dear sanctuary of home.
There were four others, inmates of