Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-04-23
MARY MOORE.
All my life I had known Mary Moore;

All my lite | had known Mary Moore;
all my life had loved her
Our mothers were old playmates and
first cousins. My frs, rccolccrions are of
n boy in red frock and morocco shoes.
rocking a cradle, in which reposed sun
ny-haired. hlue-eycd baby. not quite a
year old. That boy was mysclf-IIarry
Church; that baby was Mary Moore.
Later still, ! see myselfat the old school
house. drawing my little chaisc up to the
door that Mary might ride home. Many
beating have gained on such occas-
ions, for other boys besides me liked her,
and she, fear. was something Of firt.
even in her pinafore. How elegantly she
came tipping down the steps when I called
her name; how sxeetly her blue eyes
looked a, me. bow gaily rang out her
laugh. No one but Mary could bring her
heart SO near her lips. | followed that
laugh from my days of childhood till |
grew an awkward. blushing youth; fol-
lowed it through the heated noon Of man.
kind; and when the frosts Of age are shiv-
cring my hair. and many children climb
upon my knee and call me father find
that the memories Of youth are strong.
and that even in gray hairs. am follow
ing that music still.
When | was fifteen the FIRST great sor-
row Of my life came upon my breast.
was sent away TO school. and was obliged
to part with Mary. We were not to see
each other for three long years. T.ais to
me was like n sentence of death. for Mary
was like life itself to me. But hearts are
tough things after all.
left college in all the flush Of my nine
tcen,h Year. was no longer awkward or
cmbarr. sscd. had grown into tall sleu-
der stripping. with very good opinion
Of myself both in general and particular.
If thought Of Mary Moore. it was to
think how could dazzle and bewilder her
with my good looks aud wonderful men
tai at,ainmcnts. aud never thinking she
might dazzle and bewilder me still more.
| was a coxcomb. knew. but as youth
and good looks have fed. trust that /
NAV be believed when say that self-con.
ceit has left me also.
An advantageous proposal was made me
at that time. and accepting it. gave up
all idea Of profession. aud prepared to
60 TO India. In nv hurried visi, home
of two days | saw nothing Of Mary Moore.
She had gone to a boarding school at some
distance. and was not expected home un-
til the following May. | uttered sigh
to the memory Of my little blue-eyed
playmate and then called myself "A man
again.
In year. though. as the vehicle
whirled away from our door, will re.
turn aud il Mary is as pretty as she used
TO be. why then. perhaps l may marry
her.
And thus I settled the future Of young 9
lady whom | had not seen for four years
| never thought Of the possibility of ber
refusing me-never dreamed that she
would not condcscend to accept my offer
Bu, now | know ,ha, had Mary me, me
then she would desrise me. Perhaps in
the scented and affected student she nigh
have found plenty of sport; but as for lov.
ing me. should perhaps have found my.
self mistaken. ludia was nv salvation
not merely. because Of nv success, bu,
because my laboricus industry had coun.
terac,ed the evil in my nature. and hal
made me n better man. When at the eu 4
of three years | prepared to return. | said
nothing Of the reformation Of nvself
which knew had taken place. They
loved me as was. | murmured 20 nv
self. and they shall iud ou, FOR themselve.
whether am better worth loving tha,
formerly.
picked NJ many token from ,ha
land Of romance and gold for the friend
hoped to meet. The gift for Mary Moor
selected with beating heart; i, was
ring Of rough virgin gold. with my nam
and hers engraved insidc-,hat was all
and ye. the sight Of the little toy strange
ly thrilled me as balanced it on the Ii
. Of ny finger.