South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-07-30
M 7 FIRST LOVE.

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was young STRIPPING, just sixteen,
the solo idol and comfort Of an over fond
mother. We lived all alone in neat
little villa at Shephards Bush. and moth
er was bent on making n great man Of
me. She confidently believed that pos
sessed any amount of undcyeloped tai
emit, and denied herself thousand little
comforts in order to secure for me the
advantages necessary to bring it into
action.
shared her beliefthen, and when my
sixteenth year aud my academical course
both terminated at once, thought my
fortune made. AS a matter Of course,
the next step to be taken was matrimo-
ny. BY way OF beginning / set myself
to work to get up a poem, to be dedica-
ed to the fair one Of my choice, Miss
Jessie Weaver. At last it was finished,
and deliberately copied on scented, rose
colored paper. There were some two
dozen verses, 1 think, containing swashy
sentiment, and morbid melancholy, suf-
ficient to stock regiment Of ordinary
novels.
/ sent the poem to Jessie, with no
donbt about it's reception. I held too
high an opinion of her good sense to be-
lieve, for an instant, that she would fail
to appreciate it, and she didn't, rs her
gay laugh and dancing eyes attested at
our next meeting,
you'll be famous by and by, Char
lcy," she called after me, over the gar.
den gate, "a second Byron"
There was gay ruby brooch on ex-
hibition in one of the shop windows at
Noting Hill, and on this had set my
heart : but the price was five guineas.
How should l ever manage to get itp
made known my desires and intentions
looked serious and thoughtful for mo-
ment, then she arose, and going to the
corner cupboard, took down the China
bowl in which she kept her money.
can see her now, with her slight figure
and pale face, as she stood in the glow
of the freight, counting over the heaps
of silver pieces she had poured upon
the table.
only five guincas," she said, with a
suppressed sigh, as she returned the sur
pluss three or four half-crowns to the
bowl, "but take it, my boy, and welcome"
took it, and bought the brooch for
Jessie.
isn't it splendid, mother?" I said q
few evenings after, "a L was giving the
finishing touches to my toilette, prepare
tory for the all important visit. She'll
be sure to take it, won't she?"
"To be sure she will, my boy" she re-
piled fondly fluttering round me, polish
ing the bright brass buttons on my blue
cloth coat with the corner of her apron,
and twisting my hair over her thin fin
gers, and she'll take you, too, if she's
not devoid of appreciation"
My heart swelled with gratified vanity
rs put the glittering toy in my pocket,
and started. She followed me out, and
then down to the garden gate.
Goodbye my boy" she called, as
hurried through.
Something in her voice made me look
back. and noticed that her face had a
strange, white look. and her eyes were
running over with tears.
"What is it, mother?" I asked, turn
ing and taking her hand.
"Nothing-nothing ut all, my dear
Only this new joy won't make you quite
vie, Will
ooh, mother, no." L cried, throwing
my arms round her neck, and kissing her
white cheeks. 81 shall never love any
one else rs love you"
"My darling, my PRIDE" she murmur-
ed. mo other mother ever had such a
son--you never caused me moments
sorrow, Charley"
II am glad of it mother. Goodbye -
Goodbye, my boy"
left her standing there in the autumn
dusk, and went up to Major Viewers.
The fates were propitious. found Jes-
sic alone in the parlor, singing to her
guitar.
"Tis you, Charley" she said careless.
/ sing to YOU"
obeycd reluctantly enough. for was
in fever of impotence. To this day
have no idea of what she sang, but the
instant she finished, was at her side.
Jessie" 1 said, unfolding the scent
ed paper that contained the brooch,
"here's present I've brought you,
and"-
But she cut short my declaration,
which had "cut and dried" weeks be.
forehand, with a scream of delight.
"For me, Charley" She cried, as the
glittering toy flashed on her sight tits
tho very thing | wanted, You, dear.
darling boy--how shall / ever thank
your" and Selling me around the neck,
she gave me hearty kiss.
The touch Of her red lips fred my
blood like vino, and set my brain in
whirl Of excitement. In breath was
on my knees before her. pouring ont my
love, and the hopes 1 had cherished in
frenzied accents. At first she stood n.
mazed then, as the full sense Of what
was saying dawned upon her, she broke
into gay laugh.
ooh, Charley you silly, silly boy !"
she cried, ''yOu are too amusing. gave
you credit for more sense than this
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