Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-11-02
MARY MOORE.
A BEAUTIFUL STORY.

All my life I had known Mary
Moore al. nay life I had loved her.
Our mothers were old playmates
and first cousins. My first recollections
are of a boy, in a red frock and
moroeco sa.oes, rocking cradle in
which reposed sunny-haired, blues
eyed baby not quite year old. That
boy was myself-Harry Church that
baby, Mary Moore.
Later still I see myself at the old
school house drawing ,ny little chaise
up to the door that Mar; might ride
home. Many beating have gained
on such occasions, for other boys
besides me liked her, and she, / fear,
was something Of hirt, even in her
pinafore.
How elegantly she came tripping
down the steps when I called her
name, how sweetly her blue eyes looked
at me, how gaily rang out her merry
laugh. No one bat Mary could ever
bring her heart so near her lips. !
followed that laugh from the days of
my childhood till I grew an awkward,
blushing youth l followed it through
the heated noon of manhood; and
now, whea the frests of age have
silvered my hair, and many children
climb on my knee and call me ''father. +"
find that the memories Of youth are
strong and that even in my gray hairs,
am following the music still.
When I was fifteen the first great
,, sorrow Of ny life came upon my
breast I was sent away to school,
| and was obliged to part with Mary.
We were not to see each other for
four 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.
left college in all the flush of my
nineteenth year. l was no longer
| awkward or embarrassed I had
| grown into a tall slender STRIPPING,
| with very good opinion of myself,
both in general and particular. If /
| thought of Mary Moore, it was how I
could dazzle and bewilder her with
my good looks and wonderful mental
attainments, and never thinking that
she might dazzle and bewilder
me still more. was a cox.comb, I
know, but as youth and good looks
have fed, trust shat I may be believ-
ed when I say that self.conceit has
left me also.
An advantageous proposal was
made at that time, and accepting it, |
gave up all hopes of profession, and
prepared to go to India. In my
hurried visit home Of two days 1 saw
nothing Of Mary Moore. She had
gone to a boarding school at some
distance, and wasn't expected home
till the following May 1 uttered a
sigh to the memory Of my little blue
eyed playmate, and then called myself
a man again.
In year, thought ], as the vehicle
whirlcd away from the door, I will
return, and if Mary is as pretty al
she used to be. then perhaps ma,
marry her.
And thus / settled the future of
young lady whom | had not seen 70
years. | never thought Of the prob
ability of her refusing mc--neye
f'reamed that she would not condescen,
to accept Of my offer.
But now | know that had Mar
met me then she would have despise,
me. Perhaps in the scented an,
affected stne ent she might have foun'
plenty Of spirit hut ms for loving me
I should perhaps have found mysel
mistaken India was my salvatio,
not merely because of my success
but because my laborions industr
Ehd connieracted the evil Of nj
nature and made me a better mar