Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-06-29
aMissflIa amenMs.
=" JENNY KISSED ME-"

"Jenny kissed me" She actually and
truly did. had often sung the words of the
old song, and tfitd to fancy anything half so
sweet aud b1issftil as kiss from Jcnnio's
beautiful lips. And now it was reality. /
must tell you how it was that /, John Andrew
Mal'awbic, came to be so blessed.
The Mallowbics h ad lived from time immc-
morial-that is, as VIC Americans coinputc II
in that splendid old mansion, built in the
style IF bygonc cottage, on the top of NAL
low Hill. We were the great family of the
county, the social sun rotnd which the lesser
lights revolvcd. For successive generations
we inherited pride as we'll as wealth Our
cxciusivcncss was not in accordance with
American tastes and habits. nor in harmony
with the genius of our Institutions; but We
cared nothing Tor that. 1t pleased tbs to be
set apart from the common herd, to be adm ir-
ed at respectful distance, to escape the con-
tamination of too close Intimacy with our
plcbian neighbors
l write " VIC" and us" because I ain in
the direct line of the Mallowbie decent. But
do not wish it to be sunderstood that I per-
sonally inherited the prits and naughty cx-
cluslseness of my ancestors. From my car4
lcst recolcctions was the victim Of innu-
merable seedlings for my low tastes and en-
tire absehce Of all thoughts Of social distinc-
ton. ! sought my companions bocausc they
personally attracted me, and loved the curly
headed children of our gardehcr, and the
widow Mason's little daughter, far better than
any Of the numerous descendants Of the de-
cayed family of Launccton, OF tie rich Smiths
of the valley ..
Ny mother daily protested herself " shock
ed" ahd found comfort in her vinaigrette afid
prayer-book but clung to my unaristocratc
associations, and troubled myself very little
about her opinion of them. confess thtt
neither loved nor reverenced my mother very
highly. Nor do blame myself for unflial
feeling. She regarded INC always as the heir
of the Mallowbies, rather than as q beloved
child, and was anxious rather for my dignity
than my happiness, an anxiety little likely to
awaken gsetitude in tile heart of child
So ploycd wild games in the grounds with
Tom and Joe Carter, and their sister Jane, or
sat bending over a book of pictures with Jen-
nic in Widow Mason's little patlor, and avoid
ed as much as possible the sight Of my moth
cr's raised eyebrows and the sound of her fret
full complaining voice. And, though the heir
Of the Mallowbies, l did not care to be gen.
tlcman, and was as happy as the poorest Of
them all in my simple sports.
Jennie used to kiss inc in those days, and
returned the caress with much the same unc-
ton and fervor that bestowed upon my ugly
darling Skye terrier. If Tom or Joe Carter
had been given to kissing I suppose the dem
onstration wodld have been received in much
the same way from them but neither they
or Jane were d. all aGectionate. My play
with them was of the rough and tumble order;
but Jennie was quiet, gentle, loving little
creature, in whose presence my wild spirits
were always subdued. never even guessed
how much loved her until the fat of scpaIa-
ton came. And thcn-but even at this late
day shudder to- recall the wild agony Of that
hour. ...,.--.-.5t .f ..
was mounted upon tie branch Of tree in
the orchard. engaged in pelting the Carter's
with green apples, when Richard came to cali
me. Tom Carter. whom he addressed as
young thafe Of tho wurrcld," pointed me out