Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-03-26
TALES AND SKETCHES.
tyEEY L IRAN AVIAN.

Donald Lean and myself were good
friends at fourteen years Of age, and we
both regarded with little more than friend
ship, pretty Helen Graham, "our oldest girl
at school We rompcd and danced tugtth-
er, and this lasted for such length of time
that it is with feelings of bcwidermcnt that
look back upon the mystery OF two lovers
continuing friends. But the time was to
come when jealousy lit her spark in my
bosom, and blew it into consuming
flame.
Well do remember that how and when
the "grecn-eye' pcrpctrated this incendiary
deed. Ii was on cold October evening,
when Helen, Donald and myself were re-
turning with our parents from neighbor-
ing hamlet. AS we approached ford
where the water ran somewhat higher than
ankle deep, we prepared to carry Helen
across as We were accustomed to, with hands
interviewer "chair fashion," and thus car
ricd II 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 oursclves-a fuiLt pung of jealousy
nipped my heart Why it was know not, q,
for We had carried Helen across the brook
ere now without emotion, hut this evening
| thought or fancied that Helen gave Don
aid an undue preference by casting her arm
around his neck, while She steadicd herself
on my side by holding the cuff of my jacket
No flame can burn so quick or with so
little fuel as jealousy. Before we had reach
ed The opposite bank wished Donald at
the bottom Of the sea- Being naturally
impctuous, burst out WITH
You need na haud sac gingerly, Helen,
as if ye feared a ia. | can aye carry We
lighter than Donald can carry half of ye"
Surprised at the vehcmencc of my tone,
our queen interposcd with an admission that
we were both strong, and that she had no
idea of sparng my power But Donald's
fire was kindlcd, and he utterly denied that
was at all qualified to compete with him
in tcats OF moral courage. On such topics
boys are generally cmulous, and by the time
We reached the opposite bank it was settled
that the point should be determined by
our sinSly bearing Helen across the ford in
our arms.
Helen vas to determine who carried her
most easily, and | settled with myself pri-
yatcly in advance that the one who obtained
the preference would really hG the person
who stood highest in her affections. The re-
flcction simulated 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 antici-
pate
We suffered the rest of the party to pass
quietly along, and then returned to Helen.
With the utmost care carried her like an
infant TO the middle of the water. Jealousy
had inspired warmer love, and it was with
feelings unknown before that | embraced
her beautiful form, aud felt the pressure OF
her cheek against mine. All went swim
mingly, or rather wadingly, for minute
But alas in the very deepest part of the
ford trod on q treacherous bit of wood
which rested, | suppose, on smooth stone
Over lrolled. bearing Helen with me, nor
did we rise till fairly soaked from head to
foot.
need not describe the taunts OF Donald
or the accusing silence of Helen. Both be-
lieyed that had fallen from mere weakness
and my nva, demonstrated his superior
ability, bearing her in his arms long dis
tance on our homeward path. As We ap-
preached the house, Helen, feeling dry and
better humored, attempted 10 reconcile me
But | preserved moody silence. was
mortified beyond redress.
That night packed up few things and
iAh hMAN. olA uhlAan ihluNs Ntu04liNf NhAl
irritated, exaggerated the negagion which IL
had received, and prompted me 10 better re-
suits that generally attend such irregulari-
ties. went 10 Edlghurg, where found an
uncle kind hearted, ehildless man, who
gladly gave me a place In his house, and
employed me IN his business. Wealth How
ed In upon him. ! became his partner
went abroad resided four years ON the
continent, and dnally returned 20 scotland
rich, educated, In short, everything but mar
ried
One eyeaing, while at bali In Glasgow,
Was struck by lady Of unpTelending ap,
peafan0e, BAT hose remarkable beauty aud
high toned expression Indicated a mind OF
extraordinary ppReE. was introduced, but
the scottish namss bal long Lecn uaianiihar
10 niy ear, sni could nol catch hers, II
wea llelon s0melhlng, aad lheFs - SONG
thing Ia the faee, tao, that feemed familiar
- .o'nslhing suggestive Of pleasure and
psin
hu, No hseama veil sequslaisd that eve,
nluX 1 laaflaa ifnut dllheuliK haT hlafofF