The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-07-16
gelett gtorg,
IT KNOW TT, "


,t1- years of age was more of man
,.r rcvcr have been since. L wore a
,,t t,ilcd coat and boots-to which the
,nrtsnance of spurs was generally added
III mpstache was quite visible on my up
.r lin. and consciousness of ripe matu-
rtr never left my mind. was studying
fr tbe legal profession, but at the time OF
nrieb write | was spending my summer
r,cation at my fathers house in the coun-
try -. =,
Tbopob 50 manly-almost soldier-like,
..T f,ncied-iu my appearance, my inner
r.s bv no means 50 stern as nay outer man.
Ioral NV mother with childish tender
nos. and sooner than pain her pious heart,
Iupmurmuringly accompanied her every
Sunday to the village church, to listen to
Ioc sermons of which | could not hear a
word far the tremulous accents Of the very
oo,l minister who conducted the services
Ueys 50 faint. Though melted by love and
duty to subject myself to this weekly pen
apce-xclI deserved by my weekly sins
nv conscience did not prevent me from
Willing away the time by such amuse-
ment as lay at hand-that, namely, of OBJ
ssying and spcculating on the counte'
aaaces of my ncighbors.
The physiognomy which interested me
more than all others was that Of young
gjrl who sat not far from me. The face,
from first cliciting my careful admiration.
gradually absorbed my whole attention.
1t was beautiful, but apart from that, 1t
possessed the greatest interest for me.
Never had seen a cOuntenance which de.
noted so much sensibility; each motion Of
her mind was plainly written upon it by
its quick, delicate changes; nothing was
wanting but the key Of corresponding
degree of scnsibility in the beholder, tt
read her tender, innocent soul like an oper
book For hours [ gazed and speculatec
On that fair young face. [ thought how
sad would be the lot Of so sensitive being
should fate unite her to one who would
not know how to read her Alright; to whom
the varying expression Of that sweet coun
tcnancc would be but blank; who would
be able to see in it only its coarser part
beauty of feature. There was no end tc
tie reyelies into which those swift coming
bushes led me-
Sometimes, by chance, the fair object oi
my fancies would catch my eye, or with
out looking at me, seem to know that
was gazing at her, and [ wickedly delight
ed in noticing the blush which deepeneo
her cheek until withdrew my eyes.
One Sunday l happened, in coming out
Of church, to be close to my lovely neigh
tOr-immcdiately behind her-my hand
actually touched her unconscious gar
mcnts | felt an irresistible desire tc
force her in some way to notice me,-tc
speak 10 her, to occasion one of those
charming bushes anything, [ knew mo-
what. In short, like an impertinent cox
eOmbe as | was, stepped forward, anc
with iusuferable insolence, which blusl
nov to remember, | whispered in her ear
"lou arc very pretty"
Never was [ more surprised than wheI
She calmly replied:
Il know it"
was absolutely startled Ihad expec
ted silent, conscious blush, an indignan
glance, anything rather than this cool {"
know it."
As much as [ had heretofore disliked at
tending the village church, the next weel
seemed to drag along slowly enough, AM
When Sunday again came my mother ant
We're early seated in our pew, and L i'm
patiently waited for the arrival Of my love
y enigma, [ tried to prepare myself 70
Disappointment.
Il have been thinking and dreamin:
about an idea," | said to myself "doubt
less when the young lady herself appears
all my fine imaginings will vanish-ther
can be no doubt my fancy has been play
lnS tricks with me, investing mere coun
Try maiden with transcendant graces ant
charms"
While Was reasoning thus with mysel
"e young lady appeared.
"Worshipping an ideal" My mos
Vnafming remembrance did not begin t.
10 justice to the beautiful reality. A sou
iull OF tenderness and seDsibility seemed
" nave found fitting home in persol
aud face of perfect loveliness and grace.
oho blushed when, looking round, sh
'"anced to see me, and again the play o
expression on her features, which had s.
interested at me formerly, charmed me.
Inc more l studied her face the more
seemed to see into the pure depths of he
"u'' could have staked my life on he
'' noble of thought and deed.
AS We returned home | described N.
la'f nelghbor and asked my mother VIII
she was.
her name" my mother said, "is Grac'
Dsnny' and she is the most superior younl
"oaan | have ever in my whole life me
"''n' 1t is too soon to think of sucl