The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-01-29
{HisreIIanp.
a PLEASANT LOVE STORY.

All my life had known Slary Moore all my
Our mothers were old playmates, and first
cousins. Ny first recollectiens are OF boy. in
red frock and morocco shoes, rocking cradle, In
which reposed sunhy-haired, blue-eyed baby,
not quite a year old. That boy was myself
Harry Church, that baby was II .ry Moore.
Later STILL see myse!fat the ola Is school house,
drawing my little chase UP to the door that
Mary might ride home. Many beating have l
gained on snch occasions, for other boys besides
myself liked her, and She I 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 longed at
me how gaily rang out her merry laugh. No
one but Mary could bring her heart SO soon to
her lips. 7 followed that life from the days Of
my childhood; and now when the frosts of age
are silvering my hair and my children climb
upon my knee, and call me ''father, find that
the memories of youth are strong, aud that, even
in my gray hairs. am following the music
still. 81. f.- f"af"ol . '..J
When was fifteen, the first grea. 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 a sentence Of death, for Mary
was like life itself to me. But hearts are tough
things after all. ts.. r,.... t.
left college in all the flush Of my nineteenth
year. was no longer awkward or embarrassed
had grown into a tall, slender STRIPPING. with
very good opinion of myself both in general
and particular. If l thought of Mary Moore, it
was to imagine how could dazzle and bewilder
her with my looks and wonderful mental attain.
ments, and never thinking she might dazzle and
bewilder me still more. / was coxcomb,
know, but as youth and good looks have fed,
trust that | may be believed when l say self
conceit has left me also
II
time and acceptiR it. gave Up all idea of profess
sion and prepared to go to India. In my hur-
ried visit home of two days, saw nothing of
Mary Moore. She had gone to boarding school
at some distance, and was not expected home I'M
til the following May l uttered a sigh to the
memory of nay klue-eyed playmate, and then
called my self "a man" again. .. b...r-
In year, I thought as the vehicle whirled
away from our door-in year, or three years at
q the very nost-I will return, and if Mary is as
pretty as she used to be- then, perhaps, may
mary her.
e.. And thus I settled the future of young lady
whom had not seen for four years. / never
thought OF the possibility Of her refusing 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 In
dia my very salvation, not merely because
of my sncecss. but because my laborious industry
had counteracted the evil in my nature, and had
made me Il better man. When, at the end of
three years, prepared to return. / said nothing
of the reformation Of myself, which 1 knew had
taken place. They loved as ! was, ! muir
INJURED 10 myself and they shall find out for
themselves whether 7 am better worth loving
than formerly. #lc
picked up many token from that land OF
romance and gold, for the friends i hoped TO
meet. The gift for Mary Moore selected with
beating heart; it was a ring of rough, virgin
gold with my name and hers engraved inside
that ALL yet the sight Of the little toy strange
ly thrilled me as balanced it upon the tip OF
my finger. tss. ... "ssA 1850 -E
To tie eyes Of others it was but small plain
circlet, suggesting thou hts, perhaps, 10y its ee-
gance, of the beautiful hte hand thar was to
wear it, but not 10 ne how much was embo-
died tlelc--all these delights were hidden in
that little ring Of gold. ~ -
Tall beqrdcd and sun-bronzed, ] knocked at
my fathers house The lights in the parlor
window, and the hum OF conversation and cheer
Jul laughter, showed me that company was as
sembe ,here I hoped that sister Lizzie would
come to the door, and / might greet nay family
when no strange eye was looking carelessy on.
But 10, servant answered my summons.
Iucy wore 100 merry I'D me parior W nttu ihe
long absent one who asked for admittance. A
bitter thought like this ran through my mind as
heard the sound from the parlor, and saw the
haif-suppressed smile on the servants face.
l hesitated q moment before making myself
known, or asking for any of the family. And
while ! stood silent a strange apparition grew
up before me; from behind the servant peered
out a golden head, tiny, delicate form, and a
sweet childish face with blue eyes, so like to
those Of one who had frightened my boyhood,
that | started with q spddGp Feeling OF pain
"What is your name, my pretty" l asked
while the wondering servant held the door.
"Mary Moore" .,.
'.And what else z" | asked quickly
She lifted her hands TO shade her face. I had
aeen that very attitude in another, in my boy.
hood, many and many timo-and answered in
sweet, bird.like voice:
~ Mary Moore Chester" lisped the child.
lily heart sank down like lead. Here YVES al
end to all the bright dreams and hopes of my
youth and manhood Frank Chester, my boy
ish rival, who had often tried in vain to usurl
my place beside the girl, had succeeded at last
and had won her away from me. This was the
chill-his child end Marys
l sank, body and soul beneath the blow, ani
hiding my face in my hands, / leaned agains
the door, while my heart wept tears of blood
The little one gayed ut me, grieved and amazed
and put up her pretty lips as If about to cry
while the perplexed servant stepped to the par
Tor and called my sister out to see who it wa.
that conducted himself SO strangely. l heard 8
slight step, and pleasant voice saying: 10.
did you wish to see my father, sir ?"
7 looked up. There stood pretty, sweet
faced maiden OF twenty not much changed from
the dear little sister / had loved 20 we'll.