The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-03-13
MARY MOORE.

all my life had loved her.
Our mothers we're old playmates and
first cousins. NV first recollections are
of boy, in a red frock and morocco
shoes, rocking a cradle, in which re-
posed sunDy-haired, blue-eyed baby,
not quite year old. That boy was
myself Church /; that baby was
Mary Moore.
Later still, I see myself at the old
school-house, drawing my little chaise
up to the door that Mary might ride
home Many beating have I gained
on such occasions, for other boys be-
sides me liked her, and she, / fear, was
something of hirt, even in her pima
fore. How elegantly she came tripping
down the steps when called Der 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 near her lips. I followed that
laugh from my days of childhood 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 &c father" find that the memories
of youth are strong, and that even In
gray hairs I'm following the music still.
When I was fifteen the first great sor-
row of my life came upon my breast. ]
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, foI
Mary was like life itself to me. Bat
hearts are tough things after all
I left college in all the flush of my
nineteenth year. I 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 particular. If thought of Mary
Moore, it was to think how could
dazzle and bewilder her with my good
| looks and wonderful mental attainments,
and never thinking she might dazzle
and bewiider me still more. I was a
| coxcomb, I know, but as youth and good
| looks have fed, trust that I may be
believed when I say that self-conceit
has left me also.
An advantageous proposal was made
me at that time, and accepting it, I gave
up all idea of profession, and prepared
| TO go to India. In my hurried visit
home of two days saw nothing OF
| Mary Moore. She had gone to a board
| ing-school at some distance, and was
not expected home until the following
May. 1 uttered sigh to the memory
of my little blue-eyed playmate, and
then called myself 60 man" again.
In year, I thought as the vehicle
whirled away from our door-I will re-
turn, and if Mary is as pretty as she
used to be, why then, perhaps I may
marry her.
young lady whom had not seen fol
! four years. never thought of the pos
sibility of her refusing me-nevel
dreamed that she would not condescend
to accept my offer.
But now I know that had Mary met
me then she would have despised me-
Perhaps In the scented and affected stu,
dent she might have found plenty OF
sport but as for loving me, l should
perhaps have found myself mistaken
| India was my salvation, not merely be
cause of my success, but because my
laborious industry had countefacted the
| evil in my nature, and had made me
! better man. When at the end of three
years, I prepared to return, I sai6
nothing of the reformation of myself
| which / knew had taken place. They
| loved me as was, murmured to my
self, and they shall find out for them
| -elves whether I am better worth loving
| than formerly.
Ipicked up many a token from that
and of romance and gold for the friends
1 hoped to meet. The gift for Mar!
Moore I selected with beating heart
it was ring of rough virgin gold, will
my name and hers engraved inside
| that was all, and yet the sight of tn
little toy strangely thrilled me as I bal
anced it on the tip of my finger.
To the eyes Of others it was but
small plain circle, suggesting thoughts
perhaps, by its elegance, of the beauti
full white hand that was to wear it. Blu
not to mellow much was embodier
there-a'l these delights were hidde
within that little ring of gold.
Tall, bearded, and sun-brOnzed,
knocked at my fathers house. Th
light In the parlor window, and th
hum of conversation and cheerful laugf
ter, showed me that company was a.
sembled there. I hoped that siste
Lizzie would come to the door, and
might greet my family when no strang
eye was looking carelessly on.
But no. q servant answered my sun
! mons. They were too merry In the pal
! lar TO heed the long absent one VII
asked for admittance. A bitter though
ike bHlS run bHEOuBu A1J nluU as
heard the sound from the parlor, an
|, saw tie half-suppressed smile on th
servants face.
; 1 hesitated moment before maxim
: myself known or asking for any of ID
/, family. And while I stood silent
strange spparition grew up before me
from behind the servant peered out
golden head, tiny, delicate form an
sweet childish face with blue eyes, {
] like those of one who had brightene
Q my boyhood, that I started with a SUI
{: den feeling of pain.
2 What is your name, my pretty
3 asked, while the wondering serval
held the door.
: Mary Moore
: "And what eIse?'i I asked quickl
s Sue lifted up her hands to shade IA
p face. I had seen that very attitude
. another, IN my boyhoods many 81