Year: 1869

Our mothers were old playmates and first
cousins My recollections are of boy, ia
a red frock and morocco shoes, rocking a
cradle in which reposed sunny haired,
blue eyed baby, not quite year old. That
boy was myself-Harry Church that
blessed baby was Mary Moore.


Later still, | see myself at the little
school house, drawing my little chair up to
the door that Mary might ride home. Many
a beating have | gained on such occasions,
for other boys besides me liked her, and
she | fear, was something Of a hirt, even in
her pinatore. How elegantly she came
tripping down the steps when | called her
name. How sweetly her blue eyes looked
at me. How gaily rang out her merry
laugh. No one but Mary could ever bring
her heart so soon to her lips. | followed
that laugh from my days of childhood till
I grew an awkward, blushing youth fol-
lowed it through the heated noon of man
hood-and now when the frosts of age are
slvering my hair, and many children climb
upon my knee and call me ''father," fnd
that the memories Of youth are yet strong,
and that, even i'll gray hairs, | am follow
ing the music still.


When was fifteen the first great sorrow
OF my life came upon my heart. l 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 like life
itself to me. But hearts are tough things
after all.


| left college in all the flush and vigor Of
my nineteenth year. had grown into a
tall, slender STRIPPING, with a very good
opinion Of myself, both in general and par
licular. If | thought Of Mary Moore it
was to imagine how | could dazzle and be-
wilder her with my good looks and wouder-
tu! mental attalnments and never thinking
she might dazzle me still more. | was a
coy comb, | know but as youth and good
looks have fled, | trust that may be be-
lieyed when | say that self-conceit has left
me also. =.


An advantageous proposal was made me
at that time, and accepting it, | gave up all
idea Of profession, and prepared to go to
India. In my hurried visit home of two
days, | saw nothing Of Mary Moore. She
had gone to Il boarding school at some dis
tance and was not expected home until the
following May. | uttered out sigh to the
memory OF my little blue eyed playmate,
and then called myself man again


In a year, thought as the vehicle whirleu
away from our door, in Il year, or three
years at the very most, will return, and if
Mary is as pretty as she used to be, why,
then perhaps | will marry her.


And thus | settled the future Of a young
lady whom | had not seen for years. |
never thonght of the possibility of her re-
fusing me-never dreamed that she would
not condesend to accept my offer.


But now know that, had Mary met me
then, she would have despised me. Perhaps
i'll the scented student she might have found
plenty OF sport but as for loving me, |
should perhaps have found myself mistaken.
India was my salvation, not merely becau Sc
my laborous industry had counteracted the
evil i'll my nature, aud has made me a better
man. When at the end of three years
said nothing Of the reformation of myself
which knew had taken place.


They loved me as | was, | mnrmured 10
myself, and they must find out for them
selves whether | am better worth LOVING
than formerly.


! Ipacked up many token from that land O
romance and gold, for the friends had
hoped to meet the gift for Mary Moore,
selected with a beating heart. 1t was ling
of virgin gold with my name and hers en-
graved 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 a small
plain circlet suggesting some thoughts, per-
haps by its elegance, of the beautiful white
hand that was to wear it. But not to me-
how much was embodied there-all these
delight were hidden within that little RING
of gold.


Tall, bearded and sun bronzed, knock &c
at the door Of my fathers house. The light:
IN the parlor window and the hum of con
versation and cheerful laughter showed me
that company was assembled there. hope,
sister Lizzie would come to the door, and
might greet my family when no strange eye
was looking carelessly on


But nc--a servant answered my sum
mons. They were too merry in the parlol
to heed the long absent one who asked fol
admttance. A bitter thought like this
ran through my mind as heard the sound
from the parlor and saw the half suppressed
smile on the servants face.


l hesitated moment before making my
self known or asking for any of the family
And while | stood silent a strange appari
ton grew up before me. From behind the
servant peered ont small golden head, q
tiny delicate form followed, and a sweet
childish face with blue eyes was little tc
mind-sc like those Of one who had bright
ened my boy hood, that started with sud
den feeling of pain.


" What is your name, my pretty"
asked, while the wondering servant held
the door.


Mary Moore"


I" And what else!" asked quickly.


She lifted her hands to shade her ewes.
| had seen that very attitude in another in
my boyhood, many and many tlme-and
answered in a sweet, birdlke voice:


Mary Moore Chester" Esped the child.


My heart sunk down like lead. Here
was All end to all the bright dreams and
hopes of my youth and manhood Frank