Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-04-30
S0ELLANE0Us.
MARY MOORE
a Pleasant Love StorE.


All my life loved her
Our mothers were old playmates and first
cousins. My first recollections are of a boy,
in red frock and morocco shoes, rocking
cradle in which reposed,a sunny haired, blue
eyed baby not quite year old. That boy
was myself-Harry Church that blessed ba-
by was Mary Moore.
Later still, / see myself at the l,ttle school
house, drawing my little chaise up to the door
that Mary might ride home. Manya beating
have 1 gained on such occasions, for other
boys besides me liked her, and she, I fear,
was something of firt, even in her pinafore
How elegantly she came tripping down the
steps when called her name How sweetly
her blue eyes looked at me. How gailyrang
out her merry laugh. No one but Mary could
ever bring her heart SO soon to her lips. 1
followed that laugh from my days of child.
hood till 1 grew an awkward, blushing youth
Il followed it through the heated noon of
manhood-snd now, when the frosts of age
are siivering. my hair, and many children.
climb upon my knee and call me father"
/ fpd;that the memories of youth are strong,
aud That, even in gray hairs, ! am following
the music STILL
When [ was fifteen the first great sorrow of
my life came upon my heart. / was semitic
school, and was obliged to part with Mary
We were notto see each other for three long.
years. This, to me, was like sentence of
death, for Mary was like lie itself to me-
But hearts are tough things after all.
iett college in all the flush and Yigor of
my nineteenth year. / was no longer awk-
ward and embarrassed had grown into
tall, slender STRIPPING, with very good opinion
of myself, both in general and particular. If
| thought of Mary Moore itwas to imagine,
how could dazzle and beWilder her with my
good looks and wonderful mental attainments,
and never thinking she might dazzle and be.
wilder me still more. 1 was eoxcomb, 1
know; but as youth and good looks have fed,
| trust that may be believed when say
that self -conceit has left me also.
/. An advantageous proposal was made me at
thattfme, and accepting it, L gave up all idea
Of profession, and prepared to go to India.
In my hurried visit home of two days, saw
nothing of Mary Moore. She had gone to a
boarding school at some distance, and was not
expected home until the following May [
uttered one sigh to the memory of my little
blue eyed playmate, aud then called myself
a man again.
In year, thought, as the yehiclewhirled
away from our door, in a year, or three years
at the very most, / illreturn. and if Mary is
as pretty as she used to be, why, then perhaps
may marry her
And thus settled the future of young
lady whom had not seenzfor four years I
never. thought of the possibility of her refu-
sing me-neyer dreamed that she would not
condesceud to accept my offer.
But now l know that, had s8Iary met me
then, she would have despised me- Perhaps
In the scented and affected student she might
have found plenty of sport; but as for loving
me, should have perhaps found myself mis-
taken. India was my salvation, not merely
because of my success, but because my laboS
rious industry had counteracted the evil in
my nature. and has made me bettar man.
When at TIE end of three years prepared 10
return, I said nothing of the reformation in
myself which knew had taken place.
They loved me as was, / murmured to N.Y.
self, and they shall find out for themselves
whether am better worth loving than for
merly.
1 packed up many token from that land
of romance and gold, for the friends hoped
to meet; the gift for Mary Moore [ selected
with beating heart; it was ring of rough,
virgin gold, with my name and hers engraved,
inside-that was all, and yet the sight of. the
little toy strangely thrilled me as I balanced
it upon the tip of my finger.
To the eyes of Others it was but small.
plain circlet, suggesting thoughts. perhaps,
by Its elegance, of the beautiful white hand
that was to wear it But to me-how much
was embodied therel A loving smile on a
beautiful face-low words Of walceme-a fn-
ture home and sweet smiling facial these
delights we're hidden within that little ring
-of gold.
Tall, bearded and sun-bronzed, L Knocked
at the door of my fathers house The lights
in the parlor window, and the hum OF cons
yersation and cheerful laughter showed me
that company was assembled there. I hoped
sister Lizzie would dscome to the door, and that
might greet my family when nostrange eye
was looking cafelessly on. q
But mo- servant answered my summons
Ihey we're too merry in the parlor to heed the