The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-04-03
MATS FIRST LOVE.
"A Story Of Discipline and Final
+, Happiness.

Sweet Nettie Garrett was my schoo
mate. Most Of them were prettit
than Nettie, and dressed more stylisl
ly; but Nettie's unconscious grace an
sweet disposition won the admiratio
and respect Of all her friends and a
most put M beside myself with Low
for her. But because of my extrem
bashfulness ] lost many pleasant talk
and walks with Nettie, which oppol
tunities were gladly improved by Phi:
Clayton, who was my friend and desk
mate; though how I envied him hi
place by Nettie's side!
One cloudy morning Phil brough
Nettie to school as usual, but left he
at the school-room door, saying: i"
have to 60 to the depot to-day to NEE
my cousin, but if it SHOWS I'll cal
round for you this evening"" And i
did snow, thick and fast, all day long
School was dismissed a half-hou
earlier than usual on account of tn.
bad walking. 1t was a half-mile GU
of my way to take Nettie home; bu
what did | care! She was alone, and
made up my mind to see her home if il
killed me. Fortunately l had my um.
brella, and, walking up to her as she
stood irresolutely on the step, l asked
her in a trembling voice if | might see
her home.
THANK you," she said, looking for
all the world as if she wanted to laugh,
'but it is SO far out out of your way
that l do not like to trouble you"
ut is no trouble l replied, "and it
would really be too bad to let you
undertake the walk alone" And be-
fore l knew it l was holding my UNI
brella over Nettie and was boldly wad-
ing the snow by her side, with her little
brown hand in its crimson mitten
tucked snugly through my arm.
was supremely happy and wished
the walk would never end, but blushed
and stammered every time she spoke
to me, and scarcely drew a long breath
till had safely reached my own home.
l awoke the next morning with a de-
termination to conquer my horrid bash
fitness. The snow had ceased falling
and the snow shovols had been along
early. This time l thoroughly enjoyed
my walk Nth Nettie, and was, after
ward, almost her constant companion,
Phil Clayton's pretty, saucy cousin be-
ing all, and more, than he could attend
to. School ended at last and summer
came. l often went to see Nettie, and
In a boys careless, awkward way paid
her compliments and helped her about
her work. # u.
BY and by l was to start for college.
l did not like to do without Nettie, but
was anxious to show her what a man
/ could make Of myself. l went over
to bid her goodbye the evening before
l left, and found her in the kitchen,
washing the supper dishes. l volun-
teered to help her and we were soon
through. ..... ..
II am going away tomorrow, Net
l remarked, carelessly, as we
walked in the moonlight.
$50 soonp" she asked, raising her
eyes to my face. ....M IT,
"Shall you miss meP" l asked.
"Miss you! How could | help itp" she
exclaimed. '......
was trying awful hard to ask her
wait for me, but became confused.
md hurriedly kissing her, went away.
When at home and safely locked
my W room l began strutting ,
Up and down before the mirror, and ,
smoothing my downy upper lip with ,
III the affection Knight have smoothed .
curls. l think 1 must have re- o
'embled a young peacock, and could .
have seen me then how she q
would have laughed at me for my as a
umed airs and graces! l was always q
'ery humble and demure in her pres f
nee, hating myself the moment / was s
lone for letting her ''come 1t oyer me /,
o." FL
l did not like college at first. The G.
rofessors were very strict with us, and g
had to apply ourselves to books 81
nore than | liked, but in due time I "
raduated with all the honors and a n
cry good opinion of myself. 81
When 1 arrived home l inquired for p
lettie at once. No city belle ever 81
pent more time or care making her
'ilet than l did that evening. Il
rushed my teeth till my gums were u
oiled and arranged my curls in
lie most becoming style; waxed and
eriumed my mustachc; squeezed my CT
'et into a pair of boots two numbers &C
70 small for me; adorned myself in . W
ut OF glossy black ~broadcloth, black en-
'tin tie, a collar SO stiff / could scarce ne
oend my head, diamond shirt-studs All
Id sleeve buttons. 1 attached a little nc
ng OF gold with pearl setting to my do
a~!ch-chain, soaked a bottle and a half oc
musk into my vest front and coat as
mar, where Nettie's head would rest be
men ! took her in my arms. Then
'.ng my plug hat on my curls and / !
"".ns IN my rose-tinted kid gloves,
Q my little bamboo cane adorned flo
IA . gold chain and pink satin bow :.
= departed, arranging a pink, musk IN