The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-01-08
NARY MOORE.


All my life long I have known Mary
Moore. All my lie | have loved her.
Our mothers were old playmatcs and first
cousins.
My first recolections are of boy in red
frock and morocco shoes rocking a craiel,
u which reposed suny haired, blue eyed
baby not quite year old. The boy was
mysef-Harry Church that blessed baby
was Mary Moore.
Later still, l see myself at the little
schoolhouse, drawing my little chair up to
the door that Mary might ride home
Many beating have gained on such oc-
casions, for other, boys beside me liked
her, and she, | fear was something of
f1irt, even in her pinofOro.
How elegantly she came tripping down
the steps when | called her name. How
gaily rang out her merry laugh. No one
but Mary could bring her heart as soon 10
her lips. | followed that laugh from the
days Of my childhood, till | grew an
awkward, blushing boy; | followed it
through the noon of manhood, aud now,
when the frosts of age are silveriug my
hair aud children climb upon my knee aud
call me father" find that the memories
of youth are strong, and that even in gray
hair | am following that music still.
When / was fifteen, the first great sor-
row Of life came over my heart. | was
sent to school and was Obliged to part with
Mary. We were not to see each other for
long years This was like sentence of
death, for Mary was lie itself to ne. But
hearts are tough things, alter all
l left college in the full blush and vigor
of my nineteenth year. l was no longer
awkward or embarrassed / had grown in
to a tall slender STRIPPING, with very good
opinion Of myself, both in general and par,
ticular.
If thought of Mary Moore, it vas tc
imagine how l could dazzle and bewildei
ker with my good looks, and wonderful
mental attainments, and never thought she
might dazzle and bewider me still more
| was a coXcomb, know but as youth and
good have fed, | trust | may be believed
when say that self conceit has lett MT
also.
Ap advantageous proposal was made t.
me at that time, and accepting it, [ CAV
up all idea Of profession, aud prepare'
to go to India. In my hurried visit hom
of two days, saw nothing Of Mary Moore
: She had gone to boarding house som
, distance, and was not expected home unit
the following May.
/ uttered sigh to the memory of n
blue~eyed playmate, and called myself
man again. In two or thlee years,
thought, as the vehicle whirled away fror
I our doors, shall return and if Mary is {
pretty as she used to be, why then, | ma
perhaps marry her. And thus, settle
= the future of young lady had no. see
c for years, [ never thought OF the poss
= bility of her refusing me-never Grcame
q that she would not condescend 10 accel
my offer. But now know that, had Mai
: Moore met me at that time she wou
is have dispised me, Perhaps, in the seentC
IS affected student she might have four
4 plenty of sport, but as for loving me,
should, perhaps have found myself mist
- ken.
L. India was my salvation, not merily
< cause of my success because my laboro
10 industry corrected the evil in my natul
y and made me better man.
= When, at the end of three years | pr
~ pared to return, said nothing of the
III formation of myself, thinking, they sh
find out for themselves whether | am b
h. ter worth loving than formely.
~ packed up many token from t
" land of romance and gold, for the ma
to friondsI had hoped to meet. The g