Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-04-10

Ciose W the mouse, DuL nad not forgoi
ten the blue eyes nor their fair owner.
They danced and sparkled before m
during the day time, and danced an
sparkled in like manner in my dream
at night.
One morning, it was on the Frida
after l had seen my charmer in meeting
heard my parents discussing the pref
ty face of some pretty creature, tha
bore the pretty name of Efie Gray.
The name it was so sweet, and pre-
sented to my vivid imagination fac,
of bewitching eyes, q coquettish face
and petit figure, SO attracted by tn
name, I listened sttentively and soor
learned that the young lady was th.
guest Of Deacon Whites, and of course
the veritable owner Of the blue eyes.
AS this overwhelmed conviction
forced itself upon my mind, I raised q
cup Of scslding tea to my lips in my
anxiety to drink down the astonishing
discovery had made, quite orgettine
the heat of the beverage.
On that fact, however, I was speedily
made aware by burning my tongue
With a suppressed scream of pain,
dropped the cup. spilling the contents
on my inexpressibles. by no means con-
tributing to my comfort, by so doing,
and started from my chair.
"Good-laek, Joe! What Is the mat
teri" exclaimed. and questioned my
good mother, evidently alarmed.
Nothing; that is, 1 burned my
mouth" l exclaimed, leaving the room.
1 soon recovered from the pain, con-
sequent upon swallowing a mouthful of
scalding tea, and thinking Of Efie Gray,
whom l could not think Of by another
name than the "owner of the blue
eyes," which was the name had in
my own mind designated her by, soon
forgot my mishap.
That day and the next glided on in
pleasant dreams of Efie Gray. OF
course ! could not see her till next Sab
bath, and l resolved TO wait with job
like patience till the time arrived.
At last came Sunday morning. With
becoming care and scrupulous nicely l
performed my toilet and repaired to
meeting.
That Miss Gray should or might pos
sibly absent herself from meeting, was
an idea that never for one moment pre-
sented itself to my mind. If it had, 1
should have laughed it off as something
too ridiculous, too absurd, too supreme
y preposterous to be entertained for
one moment in the sensible mind Of
sensible Joe Smith.
Not go to meeting? How ridiculous.
house was the principal attraction in our
little village, the debating
room, the Irritation department, the con-
gallery of Thornton; theplace
where the girls displayed their new
bonnets, their new dresses, their new
shawls, etc., etc., he will no longer won
der how absurd must have been the
dea of any one absenting herself or
himself from meeting.
1t was only when the service COM
menced, when the first hymn was
sung, and the first prayer was over,
when the minister bad pronounced
solemn "aheml" preparatory to begin
ming the sermon, that l admitted the
bare possibility of Efie not coming to
meeting.
had scarcely, however, given it
place in my mind. when slight hustle
at the door of the Westinghouse at
tracted my attention, and turning to-
ward it, saw Polly White, tall,
handsome gentleman, and Efie Gray,
radiant in loveliness, enter. The gen.
lleman preceded the ladies toward the
deacen's pew, and having opened the
door, stood aside for them to pass.
Efie went in first, Polly White next,
and the handsome gentleman last. He
would not be seated next Efie, at all
events-I was thankful for that-how
handsome he looked though, and how l
hated him. When having found the
text for Efie, he presented a small
cIasped Bible to her. She thanked him
with slight bow, and oh! what bril-
liant smile. I would have risked my
head that precious minute for such
another.
l watched them narrowly while the
sermon lasted, but l saw no more
smiles or interchange Of glance pass
between them, and my mind felt little
relieved.
Once Effie's glance wandered round
the congregation, and, perhaps arrested
by the fixed intentness Of my look,
rested upon me.
She raised her eyebrows slightly,
and gave the slightest perceptible start,
smiled mischievously, and then with
drew her gaze and continued very de-
to listen to the words of Mr..
Kennedy.
Once again, Just at the conclusion of
the sermon, her eyes sought my face.
was looking intently at her, too intent
", perhaps, for she must have read my
deep and ardent admiration, as her
eyes dropped before mine, and rich
blush sufused the delicately tinted
cheek.
was entranced. ] had never been
able to call blush to the cheek Of any
girl before. She had, of course, read
the secret, which. indeed, was no Sc
cret, of my love, and it was reciproca-
ted that hlush Has an earnest of her