The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-12-25
BEGINNING LIFE.

Bolleau, we are told, was driven into his career
by the hand of fate and the peck OF turkey:
Attilla started in life with no other cause and
capital than an old sword, and which he palm,
ed off for the divine weapon OF Mars anu
Robespierre owed his political career to wetting
his stockings, and then heard words whicn
burn" which fred his soul and determined his
course in life. My running away from home
arose from q minor mortitication caused Dy
carrying pretty girl over the brook,
Donald Lean and myself were good iriends
at fourteen years of age, and We both regarded
with little more than friendship, pretty Helen
Graham, "Our Oldest girl ut school, We
romped and danced together, and this lasted for
such length of time, that II is with feelings OF
bewlderment that look back upon the mys-
terry Of two lovers continuing friends. But tho
time was to come when jealousy lit her spark
in my boyish bosom, and blew II into con-
suming fame.
Well do remember how and when the "green-
eyed" perpetrated this incendiary deed. 1t
was on q cold October evening, when Helen,
Donald and myself we're returning with our pa
rents from neighboring hamlet. As we ap.
preached ford where the water ran somewhat
higher than ankle deep, we proposed to carry
Helen across as we were accustomed to, with
hands interviewer "chair.fashion," and thus
carried our pretty passenger over the brook
Just as we were in the middle of the water
which was cold enough to have frozen anything
like feeling out Of boys less hardy than our
seyes-a faint pang Of jealousy nippcd my
heart. Why it was knew not, for we had car
ricd Helen across the brook ere now without
emotion-but this evening thought or fancied
that Helen gave Donald an undue preference
by casting her arm around his neck while she
steadied herself on my side by holding the cuff
Of my jacket. ,,,
No flame can burn so quick, or with so little
fuel rs jealousy. Before we had reached the
opposite bank wished Donald Mt the 'bottom
of the sea-" Being naturally impetuous,
burst out with
"You need M baud sac gingerly, Helen. as
If We feared ia. l can aye carry ye lighter
than Donald can carry half Of ye."
Surprised mt the yehemence Of my tone, onr
queen interposed with an admission that wo
were both strong, and that she had no idea OF
sparng my power. But Donald's ire was kin.
died, and he utterly denied that was nj oil
qualified to compete with him in feats Of moral
courage. On such topics boys are generally
emulous. and by the time We reached the ocppo.,,
Site bank, il was settled that the point should
be determined by our singly bearing Helen
across the ford in our arms.
Helen was to determine who carried her most
easily, and settled with myself privately IN
advance, that the one who had obtained the
preference would really be the person who
stood highest in her affections. The reflection
stimulated Inc to exert every effort, anu veri.
~ believe to this day that could have carried
Donald and Helen on either arm like feathers.
But | must not anticipate.
We suffered all the rest Of the party to pass
quietly along, and then returned for Helen
with the utmost care carried her like an IN.
FAINT to the middle of the water. Jealousy had
inspired warmer love, and it was with feel
ings unknown before that embraced her beau
tiful form, aud felt the pressure OF her cheek
against mine All went swmmingly, or rather
wod,nrly. for n minute. But, alas, In the very
deepest part of the ford trod on trcacherous
bit of wood which rested, suppose, ona smooth
stone. Over rolled. bearing Helen with me,
nor did we rise till fairly soaked from head to
foot.
need not describe the taunts Of Donald, or
the more accusing silence Of Helen. Both be-
level that had fallen from mere weakness,
aud my rival demonstrated his superior ability,
bearing her in his arms u long distance on her
homewari path. As we approached the house,
Helen, feeling dry and better humorod, at
TEMPTED to conciliate me. But preserved IL
moody silence | was mortified beyond re-
dress
Tha, night packed up few things and ran
away. My boyish mind, sensitive anu lrritat-
ell, exaggerated the negation which u had re-
ceycd, and prompted Inc to much better re-
suits than generally attend such irregularities.
Invent 10 Edinburgh, where found an uncle, a
kindhearted, chldlcss man, who gladly gave
me a place In his house, and employed Inc in
his business Wealth flowed upon him be-
came his partner--wentl labroad-reslded iour
wears on the continent. and finally returned to
Scotland ri.h, educated, in short, everything
but married.
One evening, while at n ball in Glasgow,
was struck by n lady of unpretending appear
ance, but whose remarkable beauty and high
toned expression indicated mind OF extraor-
dinary power. was introduced, but the Scot
tish names had long been unfamiliar to my ear,
and | could not catch hers. 1t was Helen some.
thinr. and there was something in the face, too.
that seemed familiar something suggestive OF
pleasure and pain.
But we became we'll acquainted that evening.
learned without difficulty her history. She
was from the country, had been educated, her
parents had lost their property, and she was
now coverncss of family Of the city.
was fascinated with her conversation, ana
was continually reminded by her grace and re-
fnement of manner that she was capable OIL
moving with distinguished success in tar
higher sphere than that which fortune seemed
atiye. nor prone to confidence but there was
tha, in this young lady which inspired both,
and conyerscd with her as had never con-
yerscd with any. Her questions of the various
countries with which was familiar, Indicated
a remarkable knowledge of literature, aud an
incredible store Of Information.
We progressed in intimacy, and as our con.
yersation turned upon the cause which induced
50 many to leave their native land, laughing
Iy remarked that owed my own travels to
falling with pretty girl into ford
| hal hardly spoken these words ere the blood
mounted to her face, and was succeeded by a
remarkable psleness. | attributed II TO the
heat of the room, laughed, and at her request,
proceeded TO relate my ford adventure with
iIcen Graham, painting in glowing colors the
amiability of my love.
Her mirth, during the recital, became ire
press,ble. At the &C Inclusion. she remarked;
"Mr. Roberts, is it possible you have forgot
ten me ~
| gazed an instant, remembered, and was
The lady with whom had thus
become acquainted was Helen Graham herself
| hate, and 50 do you, reader. to ueedlessly
prolong story. Wewere soon nmarried-lielen
and made our bridal tour to the old place
and as we approached in our carriage, greet
cl n stout fellow working in field. who seem-
ell TO be better sort of laborer, or perhaps
small farmer. by inquiring some particulars
relating to the neighborhood. lie answered
well enough. and was about to give him six.
pence. when Helen stayed my hand and cried
out in the old style
"IIey, Donald, mon, dinna ye ken yer old
fren's!"
The man looked up in astonishment. II was
Donald Lean. His amazement ut our APPEAR
ance was heightened By its style /; and II was
with the greatest difficulty that we could IN.
duce him to enter our carriage and answer our
numerous queries as to our friends. Il
Different men start in life different ways.
believe that mine, however, is the only instance
on record OF gentleman who owes wealth ana
happiness to rolling over with pretty Sir' III
N - 80, ", ,,f w,ter