Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-12-23
MARY MOORE.
A PLEASANT LOVE STORY.

Souoiin- vi IIot IeCOLecllOuS Ol DON, Ill
a red frock and morocco shoes, rocking G
cradle in which reposed sunny haired blue
eyed baby, not quite year old. That boy
was myself-Hary Church that blessed
baby was Mary Moore.
Later still, 1 see myself at the little school
house, drawing my little chair up to the
| door that Mary might ride home. Many a
beating have gained on such occasions
for other boys besides me liked her, and
she, fear was something of firt, even in
her pinafore. How elegantly she came
tripping down the steps when I called her
name. How sweetly her blue eyes looked
at me = How gaily rang out her merry
laugh No one but Marry could ever bring
her heart SO soon to her lips followed
that laugh from the days of my chilhood
till l grew an awkward, blushing youth
followed it though the heated noon of man
hoOd-ind now, when the frosts Of age are
SilveIing my hair and many children
climb upon my knee and call me father, I"
/ find that the memories Of youth are vet
strong, and that, even in gray hairs, l am
following the music still.
When Twas fifteen the first great sorrow
Of my life came upon my heart. 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 it
self to me. Bat hearts are tough things
after all
J. left college in III the flush and vigor of
my nineteenth year / had grown into a
tail, slender stripping with very good
opinion of myself, both in general and par
ticular. If | thought of Mary Moore it was
to image how | could dazzle and bewilder
her with my good looks and wonderful
mental attainments, and never thinking
she might dazzle me still more. was "A
coxcomb, knew but as youth and good
looks have hci, trust that mav he be,
ieved when l say, that self-conceit mas left
me also.
An advantageous proposal was made me
at that time, and accepting il, l gave up
all idea OF a profession, and prepared TO go
to India. In my hurried visit home for
two days, l saw nothing OF Mary Moore
She had gone to a boarding-School at some
distance, and was not expected home until
the following May. l uttered out sigh to
the memory of my little blue-eyed play
mate, and then called myself man
again.
In year, thought, as the vehicle
whirled away from our door, i'll year, or
three years at the very most, viii return
and if Mary is as pretty as she used to be
why, then, perhaps, 1 may marry her.
And thus I settled the future of a young
lady whom had not seen for four years.
l never thought Of the possibility of her re-
flsing me-never dreamed that she would
not condescend to accept my offer.
But now know that, had Mary met NE
then she would have dispised me Perhaps
in the scented student she might have found
plenty of sport but as for loving me, l
should perhaps have found myself mista
ken. India was my salvation, not merely
because of my success, but because my Ia
borious industry had counteracted the evil
in my nature, and has made me better
man. When at the end of three years
prepared to return. I said nothing OF the
reformation Of myself Which / knew had
taken place.
They loved Inc as was, murmured to
myself, and they find out for themselves
whether lam better worth loving than for
merly.
packed up many token from thatland
of romance and gold, for the friends had
hoped to meet the gift for Mary Moore /
selected with a beating heart it was ring
of virgin gold, with my name and hers
engraved inside-that was all, and yet the |
sight of the little toy strangely thrilled me
as 1 balanced it upon the tip of my finger.
To the eyes Of others it was but Il small, !
plain circlet suggesting some thoaghts,
perhaps by its elegance, of the beautiful
white hand that was to wear it. But not
to mellow much was embodied there-au
these delights were hidden within that lit
tie ring of gold.
Tall, bearded and sun-bronzed, knock
ed at the door of my fathers house. The
lights in the parlor window, and the hum
of conversation and cheeful laughter show
ed me that company was assembled there.
/ hoped that sister Lizzie would come to
the door, and 1 might greet my family
when no strange eye was looking careless
ly on. .-.
Butno-a servant answered my summons.
They were too merry in the parlor to heed
the long absent one who asked for admit
tance A bitter thought like this ran
through my mind as / heard the sound
from the parlor and saw the half-suppress-
ed smile ON the servants face.
hesitated a moment before making my
self known or asking for any of the family.
And while 1 stood silent stranger appa-
rently grew up before me; from behind
the servant peered out small golden head
a tiny delicate form followed and sweet