Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-04-10
MY LOVES;
On, A BACHELOR s REN1NrscEsoEs.

round my former experience proved in
sufficient to protect me from the dart
shot to my heart by pair of soft blu
eyes. One beautiful Sabbath mornin,
l wended my way, with slow and cas-.
steps, to the little Westinghouse.
The morning was glorious, beautiful
Nature smiled and laughed in holy Joy
business, revelling in the quiet beaut,
of that Sunday morning. The it'll,
violets, with their cups laden with th'
dew of heaven, reflected back the smile
of the bright sun in their little mirror
of dew-drops, the young birds thrilled
joyously. as if in thanksgiving to th'
Great Being who had made all so beau
tiful, and the holiness and Sabbath still
ness and serene quiet entered my heart
and penetrated my very soul with it
soothing influence.
As 1 walked along, 1 stopped ant
pulled few little violets, and put then
in my button hole, then continued OF
my way to meeting.
A pretty little Westinghouse wal
that same place of worship, where "twc
or three were gathered together" like
all else that the bright sun shone or
that lovely morning, and its clean white
washed walls within, and its high backed
seats, and plain, pretty little pulpit.
There were but few in the meeting
house when 1 entered, but 1 had moi
got over my absurd bashfulness, and
accordingly l sat down and occupied
myself with my hymn-book, till l had,
in some measure, recovered from the
embarrassment consequent upon enter
ing place where there were others as
sembled.
After time, as furtively raised my
gaze from my hymn book-which, by
The way, 1 noticed was turned upside
down. encountered the glance of a
pair of the softest eyes, of the gentlest
expression and Aost bewitching blue.
A look half playful, half amused. was
mirrored in the crystal depths, and
around the rosy lips below played an
irresistible smile, provoking in the ex-
treme.
blushed to my temples, looked
down upon the pages of my hymn
book, and bent my head low over it.
l had turned my book right in my
hand, but could see nothing before me,
nor distinguish one word from another
as they danced before, and the blue
eyes obscured them from vision.
Dangerous to my self-possession
as had been my first attempt to glance
around, and see who had come to
meeting beside myself, 1 resolved, at
the risk of again encountering that
laughing look and those blue eyes, to
risk another attempt. But I was safe
as far as observation went. I found no
look meeting mine, and l looked round
the Westinghouse, and took in at a
glance that very few were here, and
gradually 1 turned toward Deacon
Whites pew, and saw the owner of the
blue eyes.
She was seated beside Polly White,
the deacon's daughter, and looked as
graceful as a sylph. A little coquettish
bonnet hung half of her head, adown
her shoulders strayed a wreath Of
golden curls; her black silk scarf fell
off her shoulders, and revealed in her
neatly fitting light muslin robe their
beautiful and rounded proportions.
was charmed, fascinated, bewilder-
ed, and in love!
1t was no calm and deliberate affair,
this, no walking into the vortex with
my eyes wide open and the danger ap-
parent.
No, I tumbled hopelessly and irre-
trievably into the whirlpool, with q We
locity that reminded me of the sharp
snap Of my popgun in my school-boy
days.
1t is unnecessary to state to the SYM
pathizing and clear-sighted, right-judg-
ing reader, that I paid but very little
attention to the service that day.
saw the minister come in and as.
cend the pulpit stairs, open the hymn.
book, and give out the number of the
hymn, as we see things in a dream,
ever and anon my eyes wandering from
the pulpit to the owner Of the blue
eyes, which same blue eyes were perse-
Veringly turned from me and toward
the minister, apparently paying all due
and proper attention 70 him.
Do you know what envy is, gentle
reader' If you don't, pray heaven
that you may always remain in blissful
ignorance thereof.
How l envied the minister, Mr.. Ken
nedyl 1 felt that would give all |
then possessed, or even hoped to, to be
in his place and under the gaze of those
bewitching eyes.
1t was no use, however, and in sheer
desperation, resolved to look no more
toward Deacon White'spew, but 10 give
implicit attention to the sermon.
I heard the text given out.
"Love begets love-"
My resolution held good just so long,
Imust turn towards the deacon's pew,
once, only once more, to see il the words
had any peculiar signifcancy to the
mind of my charmer.
If they did not produce the effect
had hoped for. She did not turn to.
ward me or even move, only the little
tiny hand, in its glove Of spotIess white,
that moved round to the back of hel
head. and pushed on the little bonnet
that had fallen back upon her neck.