The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-04-11
MARY MOORE.
a PLEASANT LOVE STORY.

Moore. All my life l 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
IA sunny haired, blue eyed baby not
quite year old. That boy was myself
Harry Church; that blessed baby was
Mary Moore.
Later still, see myself at the little
school house, drawing my little chaise
up to the door that Mary might ride
home. Many q beating have | gained
on such occasions, for other boys besides
thing of a flirt, even in her pinafore.
How elegantly she came tripping down
the steps when called her name. How
sweetly her blue eyes looked up at me.
How gaily rang out her merry laugh.
No one but Mary could ever bring her
heart SO soon to her lips. I followed
that laugh from my days of childhood
till | grew an awkward, blushing youth
Il followed it through the heated noon
OF manhood-and now, when the frosts
of age are silvering my hair, and many
children climb upon my knee and call
me father" / find that the memories
of youth are strong. and that, even in
gray hairs, 1 am following the music
still.
When I was fifteen the first great sor-
row of my life came upon my heart. I
was sent to school, and was obliged to
part with Mary. We were not to see
each other for three long years. This,
to me, was like sentence of death, for
Mary was like life itself to me. But
hearts are tough things after all.
left college in all the flush and Wig
Of nj r
longer awkward and embarrassed. |
had grown into tall. slender STRIPPING,
with very good opinion of myself.
both in general and particular. If l
thought of Mary Moore it was to imag-
inc how l could dazzle and bewilder
her with my good looks and wonderful
mental attainments, and never think
ing she might dazzle and bewilder me
still more. l was a coXcOmb, | know;
but as youth and good looks have fled,
| trust that / may be believed when |
say that self conceit has left me also.
An advantageous proposal was made
to me at that time, and accepting it, 1
gave up all idea of profession, and
prepared to go to India. In my hurried
visit home Of two days, I saw nothing
of Mary Moore. She had gone to a
boarding school at some distance, and
was not expected home until the follow
ing May. / uttered one sigh to the
memory of my little blue eyed play
mate, and then called myself ga man"
again.
In year, l thought; as the vehicle
Whirled away from our door, in a year,
or three years at the very most, I will
return, and if Mary is as pretty as she
used to be, why, then perhaps | may
marry her.
And thus 1 settled the future Of
young lady whom l had not seen for
four yeas. / never thought of the pos
sibility of her refusing me-never
dreamed that she would not cOndeScend
to accept my offer.
But ow / know that, had Mary met
me then, she would have despised me.
Perhaps in the scented and affected stu
dent, She might have found plenty of
sport; but as for loving me, or feeling
the slightes} interest in me, / should
have perhaps found myself mistaken.
India was my salvation, not merely be-
cause of my success, but because my Ia
borious industry had counteracted the
evil to my nature, and had made me a
better man. When at the end of three
years prepared to return, I said moth
ing of the reformation in myself which
knew had taken place.
They loved me as was, murmur-
ed to myself, and they shall find out
for themselves whether l am better
worth loving than formerly.
packed up many a token from that
land of romance and gold, for the friends
I hoped to meet; the gift for Mary
Moore selected with beating heart;
1t was ring of rough, virgin gold; with
my name and hers engraved on the in
side-that was all; and vet the sight Of
the little toy strangely thrilled me as /
balanced it upon the tip Of my finger.
To the eyes of othersit was but small
plain circlet, suggesting thoughts, per
haps, by it's elegance, of the beautiful
white hand that was to wear it. But
to mellow much was embodied there!
A loving smile ON a beautiful face-low
words of Welcomes future home and
a sweet smiling facial these delights
were hidden within that little ring of
gold.
Tall, bearded and sun bronzed. 1
knocked at the door of my fathers
house. The lights in the parlor window,
and the hum of conversation and cheer
full laughter showed me that company
was assembled there. hoped sister
Lizzie would come to the door, and that
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