The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-09-03
5llcrt NlisSeIloup.
How 1 Began Life.

began life by running away from home.
BoiIenu, we are told was driven into his ca
re"r by the hand of fate and the peck of Il
ulrkpy. Attla started in life with no other
aus" and capital than an old sword. which
he was adr0it ct ough to palm off for the d.
vine weapon Of Mars: and Robcspierrc
owed his political career to wettng his stock.
ings-and there heard words which burn,
that fired his soul. and determined his course
in life. My running away from home arose
from minor notification caused by carry
ing IL pretty girl over the brook.
Donald Lean and myself were good friends
at fourteen years of age. and we both re-
garded. with II little more than friendship,
pretty Helen Graham. Our oldest girl at
school, We romped and danced together,
and this lasted for such length of time that
it is with feelings Of hcwlderment that ]
look back upon the mystery of two lovers
continuing friends But the time came. as
come it must, when jealousy lit her spark in
my hovish bosom, and blew it into con
sumng flame.
Well do remember how and when the
grcen-eyed perpetratcd this inccndary
deed. 1t was Oh cold October eveVng.
when Helen, Donald and myself were re
turning, with our parents. from a ncighbor,
lag hamlet. As we approached ford where
the water ran somewhat higher than ankle
deep. we prepared to carry Helen across. rs
we We're accustomed to, with hands interwo-
ven, 'chalr fashion,, and thus carried our
pretty passenger over the brook. just as
we were in the middle of the water--which
was cold enough at that time to have frozen
anythin" like feeling ont of boys less hardy
than ourselves--a faint pang of jealousy
nipped my heart. Why it was, | know not,
for we had carried Helen fifty times 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 stcadicd
herself on my side by holding the cuff Of
my jacket.
No flame can burn so quickly or with so
little fue, as jealousy. Before we had rctci!,
ed the opposite bank. | was wishing Don d
at the ''bottom of the sea Being natur.
ally impetuous, burst out with
''1c need ma baud so gingerly, Helen. as
if ye feared a ia. can aye carry ye lighter
than Donald can half Of We
Surprised at the vchemence of my tone,
our queen interposed with an admission that
we were both strong, and that she had no
idea of sharing my powers. But Donald s
ire was kinded, and he utterly denied that
| was at all qualified to compete with him
in teats of moral courage. On such topics
boys are generally emnous, and by the time
we reached the opposite bank, it was settled
that the point should be determined by our
singly carrying Helen across the ford in our
arms.
Helen was to determine who had carried
her most easily, and settled with myself
privately in advance. that the one who OBJ
tanned the preference would really he the
person who stood highest in her affections.
The reflection stimulated me to exert every
effort. and | verify 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 to the
| ford. lifted Helen with the utmost ease,
and carried her like an infant to the middle
Of the water. Jealousy had inspired a
warmer love, and it was with feelings un-
known before that Embrace her beautiful
form, and felt the pressure of her cheek
against mine. All went swimmingly or
rather wadingy, for minute. But alas, in
the very deepest part of the ford. trod on
a treacherous piece of wood which rested,
| suppose, on a smooth stone. Over roll
ed, bearing Helen with me, nor did we rise
until fairly soaked from head to foot.
| need not describe the taunts Of Donald,
or the more accusing silence of Helen
Both believed that had fallen from mere
weakness, and my rival demonstrated his
superior ability, by bearing her in his arms
! fora long distance on her homeward path
| As we approached the housc, Helen, feeling