Year: 1861

All my life long had known Mary Moore.
All my life had loved her.


Our mothers were old playmotcs and first
cousins My first recollection is of boy.
in red frock and morocco shoes, rocking a
cradle in which rcposed sunny haired,
blue-eycd baby not quite year old. That
boy was myscll-lIarry Church that blue
eyed baby was Mary Moore.


Later still, see myself at the little school
house, drawing my little chaisc up to the
door, that Mary might ride home Many
beating have | gained on such occasions.
for other boys besides me liked her. and
she, fear, was something of a llirt, oven in
pinaforcs. How elegantly she came trip
ping down the steps when ! called her
name! how swoetly her blue eyes looked up
at me! how gaily rang out her merry laugh!
that fairy laugh! No one but Mary could
over bring her heart SO soon to her Lips,
followed that laugh from the days of my
childhood till grew an awkward bushirg
youth; followed it through the heated noon
of manhood; and now, when the frosts of
age are silvering my hair, and many child
rem cl NIB my knee and call me "father,"
find that tho memories of youth are strong,
and that even in gray hairs am following
its music STILL


When was fifteen the great sorrow of
my life came upon my heart. | was sent to
school, and was obliged TO part with Mary.
We were not to see each other for three
long years. This, to me, was like a sentence
of death, for Mary was life itself to me.


But hearts arc tough things after all.


left college i'll all the flush and vigor Of
my nineteenth year. | was no longer awL-
ward and embarrassed. | had grown into
tall slender STRIPPING, with very good
opinion of myself, both in general and par
ticular. If l thought of Mary Moore, it
was to imagine how | would dazzle and be-
wilder her with my good looks and wonder
fui attainments-ncver thinking that she
might dazzle and bcwilder me still more. |
was Il coXcomb, know but as youth and
good looks have fled, trust I may be be-
levcd when say that sclI-conceit has left
me also.


An advantageous proposal was made to
me at this time, and, accepting it, l gave up
all idea of profession, and prepared to go
to the Indies. In my hurried visit home for
few days, | saw nothing of Mary Moore.
She had gone to a boarding-school at some
distance, and was not expected home till
the following May uttered one sigh to
The memory Of my little bluc-oyed playmate,
and then called myself 80 man again"


On a year." | thought, as the vehicle
whrled away from our door--"in year, or
thrco years at the very most, l viii return,
and if Mary is as pretty as she used ta be,
why then, perhaps. may marry her"


And thus | settled the future of a young
laly whom had not seen for four years.
never thought Of the possibility of her re-
fusing me-never dreamed that she would
not condcsccnd to accept nay offer,


But now l know that had Mary met me
then, she would have dcspised me. Per-
hap8, i'll tho scented and affected student,
she might have found plenty of sport; but
as for loving me, or feeling the slightest i'll
tercst in me, | should perhaps have found
was mistaken,


India was my salvation, not more because
of my success, but because my laborous
industry had counteracted the evil in my
nature, and made me a better man. When
at the end of three years / prepared TO re-
turn, said nothing of the reformation in
myself which knew had taken place.


They loved me as was" Imurmured to
myself, "and they shall find out for them
selves whether am better worth loving
than formerly"


packed up many a token from that land
of romance and gold, for the friends hoped
to meet. The gift for Mary Moore | select
cd with beating heart it was a ring of
rough, virgin gold, with my name and hers
engraved inside that was all, and yet the
sight Of the little toy strangely thrilled me
as balanced it upon the tip of my finger


TO the eyes of others it was but small
plain oirclet, suggesting thoughts, perhaps
by its elegance Of tho beautiful white hand
that was to wear it. But to mellow much
was embodied there A loving smile on a
beautiful face-low words of welcome-a
future home, and sweet smiling face-a
group of merry children to climb my knee
all these delights were hidden within
that little ring of gold


Tail, bearded and sun.bronzed, knocked
at the door of my fathers house. The
lights in the parlor windows and the hum
of conversation and cheerful laughter, show
cd me that company was assembled thnre.
! hoped my sister Lizzie would come to the
door, and that might greet my family when
no strange eye was looking curiously on.


But no; servant answered my summons.
They were too merry in the parlor to heed
the long absent one when he asked for adj
mittancc. A bitter thought like that was
passing through my mind as heard the
sounds from the paror, and saw the half
suppressed smile upon the servants face.


hcsitated for moment before made
myself known, or asked after the family
And while | stood silent, a strange appari-
tion grew before me. From behind the SER
want perred out a small golden head-a tiny
delicate form followed, and a sweet, child
ish face, with blue eyes, was lifted up to
mine-so like to those of one who had