Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-08
81 KNOW IT."

i At II years of aga l was more OF
man than l ever have been since. i
wore long-tailed coat and boots--tc
which the appurtenance Of spurs was
generally added-a mustache was quite
visible on my upper lip, aud cen
sciousness Of ripe maturity never LETT
my mind. was studying for the legal
profession, but at the time of which
write 1 was spen ding my summer vaca-
ton at my fathers house in the ceun-
try.
Though so manly-almost soldier
like, as l fancied.-in my appear.
ance, my inner was by no means
so stern as my outer man. loved my
mother with childish tenderness, and
sooner than pain her pious heart, l
murmurlngly accompanied her every
Sunday 10 the village church, 10 listen
to long sermons of which / could not
hear a word, for the tremulous accents
of the very aged minister who conduct
ed the services were 80 faint. Though
melted by loye and duty to subject my
self to this weekly penance-well de.
served by my weekly slns-my con-
science did not prevent me from Willing
away the time by such amusement as
lay at hand-that, namely, OF observing
and speculating on the countenances Of
my neighbors.
The physiognomy which interested
me more than all others was that of
young girl who sat not far from me-
The face, from first eliclting my careful
admiration, gradually abrorbed my
whole attention. 1t was beautiful, but
apart from that, 1t possessed the greatest
interest for me. Never had l seen a
countenance which denoted 30 much
senslbility; each emotion of her mind
was plainly written upon it by its quick
delicate changes; nothing was wanting
hut the key Of a corresponding degree Of
Sc, 'sibllty IN the beholder, to read iher
tender, innocent soul like an open
hook For hours l gazed aud specula-
ted on that fair young face. thought
how sad would be The lot ofso sensitive
q being should fate unite her to one
who would not know hcw to read Alright
to whom the varying expression OF that
sweet countenance would be but a
blank: who would be able to see in 1t
only ITS coarser part-beauty Of feature.
There was no end to the reveres into
which those swift coming bushes led
me.
Sometimes, by chance, the fair object
Of my fancies would catch my eye, or
without looking at me, seem to know
that was gazing at her, and wicked
ly delighted in noting the blush which
deepened on her cheek until l withdrew
my eyes.
One Sunday l happened, IN coming
out of church, to be close to my lovely
neighbor-immedlately behind her-my
hand actually touched her unconscious
garments. 1 felt an irresistible desire
to force her in some way to notice me,
to speak to her, to occasion one oil
those charming blushes-anything, L
knew not what. In short, like an iul-
pertinent coxcombY as l was, stepped
forward, and with insuflerable insolence,
which l blush now 10 remember, l
whisperedin her ear:
You are very prettyv
Never was I more surprised that
when she calmly replied:
Il know it?
was absolutely startled. had ex-
pccted a silent, conscious blush, an in
dignant CLAN ce, anything rather than
this cool Il know it,
AS much as had heretofore disliked
attending the village church, the next
week seemed to drag aleng slewly
enough. and when Sunday again came
my mother and were early seated in
cur pew, and impahently waited Tor
the arrival of my lovely enigma. l
tried to prepare myself for disappoint-
ment.
L have been thinking and dreaming
about an idea,' said TO myself-'doupt-
less then the young lady herself appears
all my fine imaginings will vanish-thsre
can be no doubt my fancy has been
PLAYING tricks with me, Investing Nero
country maiden with trsnscendant
graces aud charms
While 1 was reasoning thus with my
self, the young lady appeared.
Worshlpping an idealp Ny msst
charming remembrance did not begin TO
do Justice 10 the beautiful reality. A
soul full of tenderness and sensibillty
seemed TO have found fitting home In
person and face of perfect loveliness
and grace
She bIushed when, looking round, she
CHANGED to see me, and again the play
of expression on her features. which
had so interested me formerly, charmed
me.
The more studied her face the more
I seemed to see into the pure depths Oh
her soul. / could have staked my LIE
on her 40 noble Of thought and deed
4. al horne | described my