Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-03-04
EARLY LOVE.
WALKING few weeks since upon
wv the banks of quiet river in Penn

WALKING few weeks since upon
w the banks of quiet river IN Fem,
syIvania, and gazing into its clear liquid
depths, I was forcibly reminded OF the
school days of 'auld lang syne.' The
school house stood just upon the banks
of the same river, with only the highway
between the two. A large butternut
tree shaded the door in summer, and drew
its protecting arms across the root III WIN
ter. Oh those were happy days, those
chill winter ones, when the crisp snow
light and sparkling upon the earth, and
the merry sleigh bells went jinglng past
the door, causing many an uFchIn to be
called to order, and hidden to mind his
or her book, aud who, nevertheless, would
slyly peep from the window again, at
the next merry jngling, just only to see
if it was Mr., | arkor, the Committee M n,
or Ruby Evans and her handsome beau.
But, to my story.
happened to be placed in the care of
some friends at M, for the winter only
and attended of course the village school
which was taught by IA young limb of
the law by name Geoffreys. My heart
even now thrills with sensation of pleas
IRE, while calling to :, mind that single
winter in a strange school Twelve sum-
mers had passed, with their quiet sun
shine and gentle breezes over my head,
and / already fancied myself standing
upon the threshold Of young womanhood.
| had always been dreamy, imagin-
alive child, spending hours daily in quiet
speculative musings, thinking wild tho'ts
that never dared reveal, for / had learn
ed to dread the remark that often fell
from the lips of my school Inmates, of Eta
! is dreaming again, or Eta is so strange
wonder what she sees to wonder at in
those great snow flakes Yet when once
aroused was fully equal to any of the
| cav rounds, in which our school bounded
1t CHANGED that among the sixty,pupis
which comprised the school, was lad of
some sixteen years, sprighty, intelligent,
and handsome w;thal, with whom / soon
become special favorite. Tall for bis
years and finely formed, Ephrairn, for
that was the very unromantic name in
which my friend rejoiced, gave fair
promise of glorious manhood.
An eye Of cIearest, deepest blue burn
ed with great brilIancy beneath q lofty
brow, that looked to my eye singularly
white and fair; wel-formed mouth,
with proud, arching curve to the lips
which softened, when he smiled, to a
look of extreme sweetness; hair brown,
soft and wavy, an erect carriage, all went
to make up toU ensemble, at once
noble and pleasing. Smile if you please
dear reader when | tell you that loved
that boy as | never shall love again.
And here let me pause, and moralize
for moment over this monentous ques-
ton. What is love! Is it not an in.
herent want of our nature-a something
impressed by the divine hand of God
upon our hearts All is it not the strong
est proof of our heavenly heritage? We
must love! the tenderils of our hearts
ore ever reaching out for something to
cling to-something to Irvine around with
an undying clasp. In early years, we
love our parents and near friends, with
sweet devotion; but as years progress,
although our love is not less theirs, an
other love asserts its right, and this when
pure and snless, when unalloyed by ba-
ser passions, makes man almost angelic.
But to return; Ephraim made but
lttlo attempt to conceal his preference
for me- and it soon became go thoroughly
known throughout the school, that, in
all our childish sIeigh-rides and gather
| ings,' Eta and Ephraim' were coupled
together without the formality of by
your leave | did on one or two occa-
sions, attempt to look demure, and in
quired, with a wondering tone, Who
selected my partner?' but was soon silen
eel by my cousin, by being reminded of
sundry letters and keepsakes, which they
knew, were carefully cherished by ne,
and all of which bore the name of Eph-
RAIN.
And once, 100, voxed at the teazing of
these same cousins, and wishing to assert
my independence, | actually attended q
party with James Mowbrey, and met the
pleading looks and sorrowful manner of
Ephratn with cold defiance.
Once only, during the evening, did be
address me, for studiorsly avoided him;
that was when | attempted to enter lh9
sleigh to return home. bad placed one
foot upon the box, when the ANIMALS be
fore it, proving FESTIVE, sprang forward,
and must have fallen, had not Ephraim
caught me. Have care, Eta, said
he; your life is precious-to me, at least,
he added in an undertone.
| did not reply, for my heart was full,
but rode home with James in silence,
wishing him, all The while. in some. other
place; and, when once in bed, child-like,
/ actually cried myself to sleep.
But we soon became as warm friends
as before, and the time passed with US
pretty much after the old fashion, except
Ephraim was moro constant than boys
generally are, and bore with my little
firtations in q kindly manner; especially
as al WAYS told him. in my hours Of re-
pertance, that ali the other boys were as