Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-11-15
THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE.

From the southsrn oplpion.l

From the southern opicion.l
Our commercial centers and busy
bustling commission houses and their
counting-rooms, have little of romance
about them, and consequently, they are
the last places where the world looks for
the romantic. But very recent develop
ments in down town establishment have
very beautifully illustrated that line of
Walter SCOTS, that
Love rules hs camp, court, grove and mari
and sheds its influence untrammeled as
the sunshine, investing with its warmth
and brightness the darkest and most un-
inviting places.
Two months or more ago, vacant
elerkship in the house referred to, was
applied for and filed by youth appar-
emily about sixteen years Of age. He
applied in response to an advertisement
of the firm, Wanted youth, who can
write a good hand, and come well recon-
mended" Out of sixty-odd applicants
our hero Cor heroine) took the palm for
the neatness, legibility and regularity of
his chirography; was sent for, presented
himself, and was installed in the position
of entry clerk. He displayed remark
able aptitude for business; was quick
and accurate at figures, ever ready to run
an errand or lend a hand at anything
that was to be done. In manners he was
polite, blushed when looked at or spoken |
to; wept when chided By his employers, |
or chafed by his fellow-clerks because Of
his peachy cheeks, feminine figure, and !
general girlishness Of appearance. Time
wore on. The busy season came, and |
brought with ita gentleman from beyond |
the Blue Ridge, who had occasional deal |
ings with the house. Desiring to ex-
anime the stock, the entry clerk was
called from his stool, and instructed to |
show the gentleman over the floors. |
Their eyes met, those of the strange
gentleman and the entry clerk-the gen
tleman stammered "Great Godr and |
staggered into seat; the clerk bIushed |
scarlet to his ear tips, then burst into
tears. Then came the depouement The
gentleman explained that he recognized |
in the clerk the lost daughter of citizen
of his county; that she ran away in Au-
gust last, and had since been mourned |
by her parents and friends as dead, as |
they could gain no tidings of her where
abouts or fate, though all the consider
able towns of the State, including Rich
mond, had been searched by the father
in person, aided by the police.
The daughter in elerkly disguise then
explained, as best she could between
sobs, and it was
The old, old story told again."
She had loved and seen her love
thwarted by parental opposition, the most
relentless and unfeeling. Her lover,
youthful as she, being also opposed by
his parents, left his home soon after, and
came to Richmond, where he was not
long in obtaining employment. A secret
correspondence was opened between the
two, aided by other parties.
This lasted for some time, and strength
ened the cords of affection, drawing the
twain nearer each other, though separ-
ated by the misty mountains and many
miles of cruel space At last, in one of
these fatal moments Of a girls weakness,
she resolved to give up all for love-
home and heaven too, if need be-and
left the house one evil night when the
family was absent, equipped in her broth /
er's Sunday suit, determined to join her
lover in Richmond. This she did do,
and though he-timid boy-was at first
frightened at the step his sweetheart had
taken, she, by artful stories Of her treat
ment at home, infused into him manly
spirit and he-bold boy-resolved to be-
come the protector of innocence while he
buried the secret of her sex in his own
bosom. He took her to his boarding
house, procured for her a room separate
and apart from his own. 1t was agreed
between them that she should preserve
her iacognitio and sink her sex and iden-
tlty in male apparel. Thus with his as
sistance and in this disguise, she had
obtained the position of entry clerk in
the establishment where she was discoy-
cred as We have related.
Well, having told her romantic story,
the girl, who shall be nameless, gave the
address of her lover; a messenger was
dispatched for him and he came He
made a clean breast OF it, confessing all.
They had both been industrious-work-
ing hard, each in their situation, with the
one object in view, aud that was mar
riage, so soon as they had accumulated
enough money to procure bridal troHs-
seau, rent chambers and set up house
keeping. The respective parents of the ;
truant lovers were informed by telegraph
Of the situation Of affairs, and they tele-
graphed back at once, Marry them, ;
and send them home.
One day last week witnessed the re- i
turn and reconciliation beyond the noun
Lains. May the couple who have attained
the fruition Of earthly bliss through such
tribulation have scores Of children, and l
live to celebrate their golden wedding {