The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-05-04
MARY MOORE-A PLEASANT LOVE
STORY.


MARY MOORE-A PLEASANT LOVE
STORY.
Al, NV life long I had known Mary
Moore. All my life loved her.
Our mothers were old playmates and first
cousins. My first recollections are of a
bow. in red frock and morocco shoes,
rocking cradle in which reposed a sunny
haired, blue-eyed baby, not quite q year
old. That boy was myself-Harry Church
that blessed baby was Mary Moore.
Later still, l see myself at the little
school-housc, drawing my little chair up
to the door that Mary might ride home.
Many beating have gained on such oc-
casions, 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 called
her name. How sweetly her blue eyes
looked at me. How gaily rang out her
merry laugh. No one but Mary could ever
bring her heart so soon to her lips. l fol-
lowed that laugh from my days Of child
hood till | grew an awkward, blushing
youth: 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
g father,'' find that the memories Of youth
are strong, and 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 sent
to school, and was obliged to part with
Mary. We were not see to each other for
three long years This to me was like q
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 vigor of
my nineteenth year. ! was no longer awk-
ward or embarrassed. | had grown into a
tall, slender STRIPPING, with a very good
opinion of myself, both in general and par
ticular. If thought of Mary Moore it was
to imagine how could dazzle and bewil-
der her with my good looks and wonderful
mental attachments, and never thinking she
might dazzle and bewilderm still more. |
was coxcomb, | know, but as youth and
good looks have fed, trust that may be
believed when / say that self-coneeit had
left me also.
An advantageous proposal was made me
at that time, and accepting ii, | gave up all
idea of profession, and prepared to 60 to
India. In my hurried visit home of two
DAYS I saw nothing of Mary Moore. She
had gone to boarding school at some dis
lance. and was not expected home until the
| following May. | uttered out sigh to the
memory Of my little blue-eyed playmate,
and then called myself " a man" again.
In year, | thought, as the vehicle
whirled away from our door-in year, or
three years at the very most will return,
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 l had not seen for four years.
| never thought of the possibility Of her re-
fusing me-never dreamed that she would
not condescend to accept my offer.
But now know that had Mary 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 perhaps have found
myself mistaken. India was my salvation
not merely because of my success, but be-
cause my laborious industry had counter
acted the evil in my nature, and had made
me better man. When, at the end OF
three years, prepared to return, l said
nothing of the reformation Of myself which
/ knew had taken place.
They loved me as l was, | murmured to
myself, and they shall find out for them
selves whether [ am better worth loving
than formerly.
packed up many token from that land OF
romance and gold for the friends had hoped
to meet. The gift for Mary Moore selected
with beating heart; it was ring of rough
virgin gold, with my name and hers en-
graved inside-that was all, and yet the
sight of the little toy strangely thrilled me
as / balanced it upon the tip of my finger.
To the eyes of others it was but n small
plain circlet, suggesting thoughts, perhaps,
| by its elegance, of the beautiful white hand
that was to wear it. But not to mellow
much was embodied there-all these de-
lights were hidden within that little ring Of
gold.
Tall, bearded, and sun-bronze, l knocked
at the door Of my fathers house. The
lights in the parlor window, and the hum
Of conversation and cheerful laughter
| showed me that company was assembled
there. I hoped that sister Lizzie would
come to the door, and | might greet my
family when no strange eye was looking
carelessly on.
But. no-a servaHn answered my sum
mons. T.uey were too merry in the parlo
10 heed the long-absent one who asked To-
admittance. A bitter thought like this run
through my mind as | heard the sound from
the parlor and saw the half-suppresseC
smile on the servants face.
hesitated moment before making my
self known or asking for any of the family
And while | stood silent a strange appari
ton grew up before me: from behind thu
servant peered out q small golden head, {
tiny delicate form followed, and a swee
childish face with blue eyes, so like t.
those Of one who had Frightened my boy
hood that l started with a sudden feeling @
pain.
What is your name, my pretty? ?"
asked, while the wondering servant hel(
the door.
Mary Moore
"And what else ?" asked quickly.
She lifted up her hands to shade hel
eyes. had seen that very attitude in an.
other in my boyhood many and many /;
time-and answered in a sweet, bird-likt
voice:
Mary Moore Chester" lisped the child
My heart sunk down like lead. Here wa
an end to all the bright dreams and hopes o
my youth and manhood. Frank Chester
my boyish rival, who had often tried il
vain to usurp my place.beside the girl, hat
succeeded at last, and had won her away
from me. This was the child-his child
and Mary's.