The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-12-10
MARY MOORE.

Al nv life L had known Mary
Moore all my life had loved her.
Our mothers were old schooimates
and first cousins. My first recoHectiOns
are of a boy,.in red frock and morocco
shoes, rocking a cradle in which repos-
ed sunnV-h haired, blue-eyed baby,
not quite a vea>old. That boy was
myseIf-Harry Church that baby was
Mary Moore.
ia Later stilI.s Esee myself at the old
school house, drawing my little chaise
up 10 the door that Mary might ride
home. Many a beating have I gained
on such occasions, for other boys be-
sides me liked her, and she, / fear,
was something of a flirt, even in her
pinafore. How elegantly she came
tripping down the steps when / called
her name; how gayly rang out her
merry IaughI No one but Mary could
ever bring her heart SO near to her
lips. | followed that laugh. from my
days or childhood till / became an
awkward, blushing youth;I followed
it through the heated noon of man
hood and now the frosts Of age are
shriveling my hair and many children
climb upon smy Knee and call me
"father." | find that the memories OF
youth are strong, and thats even in
gray hairs I'm following the music
still. When l was fifteen the first
great sorrow of my lie came on my
breast. | was sent to school and was
obliged to leave Mary. We were not
to see each other for three long Years.
This TO me was like a sentence of
death, for Mary was life itself TO me.
But hearts are tough things after all.
~Ileft college in. the flush of my nine
teenth v ear. II Was no longer embar-
rassed. had grown into tall, slen-
der stripiiBg, NEitilsa very good opin-
ion OF myself both in general and par
ticular. IT thought of Mary Moore,
il. was do,tlliBk howsI Ieoald dazzle and
bewilder her with my good looks and
wonderful attainments, and never
thinking that she could dazzle me still
more. wasa coxcomb, l knew, but
assyouth and good looks have fed, Il
trust that I may be believed when Il
say that sself-content has left me also.
An advantageous proposal was made
me at this time, and accepting 1t,
gave up all idea OF profession, and
prepared to go to India In my hur-
ried visit home saw nothing of Mary
Moore. She had gone to boarding.
school at some distance, and was not
expected home until the following
Nay. l uttered sigh to the memory
of my little blue-eyed play mate, and
then called myself "man" again.
In year, 1 thought as the vehicle
whirled away from our door-l Will
return, and If Mary is as pretty as she
A L T mo w
marry her. kkt3E5
And thus settled the future of a
Young lady whom had not seen for
four years. never thought of the
possibility of such as her refusing my
erderl
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 my self mistaken.
India was my salvation, not merely
because of my success, but because my
Iaborious industry had contracted the
better men. When, at the end of three
years, I prepared to return, l said
nothing of the reformation of myself,
which | knew had taken place. They
love me as L was, l murmured to my
self. and. they shall hnd ont for them
selves whether I am better worth g
ing thandormerly.
| picked up many token from that
land of romance and gold for the
friends hoped to meet. The gift OF
Mary Moore / selected with beating
heart. 1t was o ring ofsrough virgin
gold with my name and hers engraved
inside-that was all, yet the little toy
strangely thrilled me as balanced 1t
on my fingeE. 7vaofsos l'''. 'ssig -
To the eyes of others it was but a
plain circle, suggesting thoughts, per-
haps, by its elegance, Of the beautif ful
white hand that was to wear 1T, but
not to mellow much was embodied
there-all these delights were hidden
within that little ring of gold.
Tall, bearded and bronzed, / knock
ed at my, fathers house, The lights
in the parlor window, and the hum of
conversation and cheerful laughter,
showed me that company was assem-
bled there. | hoped that sister Lizzie
would come to thegdoorland L might
greet my family when no strange eye
was looking carelessly on. tfs
But servant answered my sum
mons. They were too merry in the
parIor to heed the long absent oAe
who asked for admittance. A bitter
thought ran through my mind as j
heard the sound from the parlor, aud
saw that half suppressed smile on the
servants face -
] hesitated q. moment before making
myself known or asking for any ol
my family. And while stood sileni
a strange apparition. came up be.
fore me, from behind the servant peer
ed out golden head, q tiny, delicate
form and s. sweet, childish face, will
blue eyes, SO like those of one wht
had frightened my boyhood, that
started with sudden pain.
"What is your name, my pretty 2"