Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-11-07
VOL Xiv.
Mary RE.

| cousins My first recollection is OF a young
gentleman in a turkey red frOck and morocco
shoes, rocking a cradle, in which reposed a
sunny haired, blue eyed-baby. not quite year
old. That young gentleman was 1, myself,
Harry Church that blue-eyed baby was
Mary Moore.
/ Later still, 1 saw myself at the little red
school house, drawing my painted sled up to
the door, and arranging my overcoat upon 1t.
that Mary might ride home. Many black
eye have gained on such occasions, for other
BOYS liked her besides me. and she, l am
afraid, was something of 3 fiirt. even in her
pinafore. How daintily she came tripping
down the steps when 1 called her name How
sweetly her blue eyes looked up to me from
the envious folds of her winter hood! How
gaily her merry laugh rang out when by dint
of superhuman exertion, kept her sled be-
fore the rest, and let her stand upon the steps
exultingly to see them all go by. The fairy
laughl No one but Marry could let her
heart lie up so on her lips l followed that
laugh up from my days of childhood, till 1
| grew an awkard blushing youth: followed
| it through the heated noon of manhood and
now, when the frosts of age are silvering my
| hair, and many children climb to my knee and
/ call me "father," / find that the memories of
youth are strong, and that, grey hairs and all,
I am following that music still.
When was fifteen, the first great sorrow Of
my life came upon me- l was sent away to a
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 SEN
tence of death, for Mary was like life itself to
me. But hearts are very tough things after
all. l left college in all the flush and vigor of
my nineteenth year. was no longer awk-
ward and embarrassed. | had grown into a
tall, slender STRIPPING, with a very good opfninn
OF myself in general and particular If l
thought of Mary Moore, it was to imagine
how would dazzle and bewilder her with my
good looks and wonderful attainments, never
thinking that she might dazzle and bewildcr
me still more. l was a sad puppy, l know
but as youth and good looks have fed, trust
I may be believed when say that self-eOneeit
has left me also.
An advantageous proposal was made to me
at this time, and, accepting it, gave up all
idea of profession and prepared to go TO the
Indies. In my hurried visit home of two days
L saw nothing of Mary Meore. She had gone
TO boarding school in Massachusetts, and
was not expected home till next Eal. gave
one sigh to the memory of my little blueeyed
playmate, and then called myself a man again
In year. l thought, as the stage whirled
away from our door, In year, or three years
r at the most, l will rcimn, and if Mary is a
pretty as she used 10 be-vhy, then, perhaps
| may marry her"
| slrokCd back my hndding monsiache with
compIacency, while ] settled the future Of a
young lady had not seen & / ,our years.
lever thought of the possibility of her relus-
ing me-never dreamed that she woud moi
stoop with grateful tears to pick mp the hand
kcrchief whenever l chose 10 throw il at hcl
feet.
Bu. now know that had Mary met MI
then she would have despised me. she was Il,
lar above NE as the heavens are above tn,
earth Perhaps, in the scented and affected
student, she might have found plenty Of sport
but as for loving me, or feeling the slightest in
terest in me, save a regret that l should makt
such an unmitigated donkey of myself, knew
she would not.
India was my salvation; not merely becaus
of the plentiful share of gold had laid up
but because my earnest labor had counteracteC
the evil of nature and made me better man
And when at the end of three years | prepar
cd to return, wrote nothing to the dear one
! I was about TO meet of the refermations whic
p knew had taken place. They loved me a
] was" | murmured to myself, "aud the.
shall find for themselves if l am better wort
the loving as | am."
ol fol- hot loO
! of gold for the friends l was about 10 meet
The gift for Mary Moore was one had select
ed with beating heart-a ring of rougt
virgin gold, with my name and hers engrave
inside That WIS all, and yet the little TO
: thrilled me strangely as I balanced it upon tn
n tip Of my finger. To the eyes of others
/ was but a small, plain circlet, suggestin
n thoughts, perhaps, by its daintiness, of III
v dainty white hand that was TO wear it. Bu
to me-oh, mellow much was embod .
?; there A loving smile on a b autiful face
" low words of weicome-a happy home an
n sweet face smiling there-a group of merr
IT children to climb my knee-all these delight
?. we're hidden within the ring of gold,
J. A tall, earded SUM- bronzed man, l knocke
IS at the door of my fathers house. The ligh
IS in the parlor windows and the hum of conve
a sati and cheerful laughter showed me thG
= company were assembled there. 1 hoped n
is S, ter Lizzie would come to the door, and th;
q. l might greet my family when no strange
20 eyes were looking curioualy on. But no,
b. servant girl lered my summons; they WEI
IL too merry in parlor to heed that long al
of sent one when he asked for admittance. Son
IS such bitter thoughts were passing through N
e sud as ID the nds f. the parlo
lit ard saw the half sup ssed smile on the Sc
or wants face.
er hesitated moment b fore made myst
ng known or asked after the f.mily. And viii
re l stood silent st. nge apparation grew I
cd before me. Frold behind the servant peert
u OF. small, GO, =. head-a tiny, delicate for
o. followed, and sweet, 7~iIildish face and bl
4. eyes were lifted up TO nine, so like the Q
7e. that had br frightened my boyhood, that sta
hl ed back with a sudden feeling + pain,
all "What may = name be, little one p
ats asked, while the wondering servant held I
of door.
She lifted up her hand as if TO shade
eyes 4 had seen that very attitude in anoth
in my boyhood, many and many tim "a
Fni answered in sweet bird-like voice
.ot "Mary Moore"
TO And what else ?" I as'.sd.
Id "Mary Moore Chester lisped the lit
sry child,
- My heart sunk down like lead. Here '
an end to all the bright dreams and hopes
my youth and manhood Frank Chester,
1et boyish rival, who had tried in vain to usr
der my place beside the girl, had succSc led at
the and won the woman away from me An
must go in there and meet her once again,
then 60 away forever and die-if God wo