Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-09-09

. | KNOW IT. ="

At seventeen years of age was more of u
man than ever have been since. | wore
long tailed coat and boots--to which the
appurtcnancc of spurs was generally adj
ded-a mustache was quite visible on my
upper lip, and consciousness of ripe ma
turity never left my mind. ! was studying
for the legal profession, but at the time Of
which write was spending my summer
vacation at my fathers house in the country.
Though so manly-almost soldier like, rs
fancied-in my appearance, 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, | UNI
murmuringly accompanied her every Sun
day TO the village church, listened TO long
sermons o. which could not hear word,
for the tremulous accents Of the very aged
minister who conducted the services were
so faint Though melted by love and duty
to subject myself to this weekly penance-
well deserved by my weekly sins-my con
science did not prevent me from Willing
away the time by such amusement as lay at
hand-that namely, of observing and specu-
latlng on the countenances Of my neighbors.
The physiognomy which interested me
more than all others was that Of Il young
girl who sat not far from me- The face,
from first eliciting my careful admiration,
gradually absorbed my whole attention 1t
was beautiful but apart from that, il pos
sessed great interest for me. Never had |
seen a countenance which denoted so much
sensibllity; each motion of her mind was
plainly written upon it by It's quick, delicate
changes nothing was wanting but the key
of corresponding degree Of sensibilty in
the beholdcr, 10 read her tender, innocent
soul like an open book. For hours gaZcd
and specuated on that fair young face.
thought how sad would be the lot of so SEN
sitive being should fate unite her 10 one
who would not know how 10 read her
Alright; 10 whom the varying expressions Of
that sweet countenance would be but a
blank who would be able 10 sec in IL only
It's coarser part-beauty OF feature. There
was no end 10 the reveries into which these
swift coming bushes led me.
Sometimes, by chance, the fair object of
my lancies would catch my eye, or without
looking at me, seem TO know that was gaz-
ing at her, and wickedly delighted in no.
ticng the blush which dcepened her check
until Withdrew my eyes.
One Sunday happened, in coming out of
church, 10 be close TO my lovely neighbor--
Immediately behind her-my hand actually
touched her unconscious garments. felt
an irresistible desire to force her In some
way 10 notice me--to speak 10 her, 70 occa-
sion one Of those charming blushes--any-
thing, | knew not what In short, like an
mpertinent coxcomb, IA | was, | stepped
forward, and with insuffcrablc insolence,
which blush now 10 remember, wbis-
pered in her ear
you are very pretty"
Never was | more surprised than when
she calmly replied,
II know IL
was absolutely startled. had expected
aslent, conscious blush, an indignant glance,
anything rather than this cool, 81 know itW
AS much as had heretofore disliked at
tending the village church, the next week
seemed TO drag along slowly enough, and
when Sunday again came my mother and |
were early seated in our pew, and impa-
ticnty waited for the arrival Of my lovely
enigma. tried to prepare myself for dlsap-
pointment
81 have been thinking and dreaming about
an idea" | said TO myself-"doubtlcss when
the young lady herself appears, all my fine
imaginngs will vanish--therc can be no
doubt my fancy has been playing tricks
with me, investing II mere country maiden
with transccndent graces and charms"
While was reasoning thus with myself
the young lady appeared.
"Worshipping an ideal = My most charm
ing remembrance did not begin 10 do justice
TO the beautiful reality. A soul full Of ten
derness and sensibillty seemed 10 have found