Year: 1862

Moore. .


Our mothers were old playmates and first
cousins My first recollection is of young
gentleman in a turkey red frock and moroc.
CO shoes, rocking a cradle, in which reposed
u sunny-haired, blue-cyed baby, not quite
a year old. That young gentleman was /,
myself, Harry Church; that blue-eyed ba-
by was Mary Moore.


Later still, Tsaw myself at the little red
school house, drawing my painted sled up
to the door, and arranging my evcrcoat
upon it, that Mary might ride home. Many
q black eye have gained on such occa-
sions, for other boys liked her besides me,
and she, am afraid, was something of a
frt, even in her pinafore. How daintily
she came tripping down the steps when
called her name! How swcetly her blue
of her winter hood How gaily her merry
laugh rang out when. by dint Of superhu
man exrrtion, | kept her sled before the
rest, and let her stand upon the steps ex-
ultingly to see them all go by. The fairy
laugh! No one but Mary could let her
heart lie up so on her lips followed that
laugh up from my days of childhood, till
grew an awkward, blushing youth fol-
lowed it through the heated noon of man.
hood and now, when the frosts Of age are
silvering my hair, and many children climb
to my knee and call me "father," I find
that the memories of youth are strong, and
that, grey hairs and all, l am following that
music still.


When l was fifteen, the first great sor-
row of my life came upon me. was sent
away to western school, and was obliged
to part with Mary. We were not to see
each other for three long years! This, to
me, was like sentence of death, for Mary
was like life itself to me. But hearts are
very tough things after all. left college
in all the flush and vigor Of my nineteenth
year. was no longer awkward and en-
barrassed. | had grown into tall, slender
STRIPPING, with very good opinion of my
self in general and particular. If I thought
of Mary Moore, it was to imagine how |
would dazzlc and bewilder her with my
good looks and wonderful attainments, nev-
er thinking that she might dazzle and be-
wilder me still more. was sad puppy,
| know; but as youth and good looks have
fed, trust may be believed when say
that self.conccit has left me also.


An advantageous proposal was made to
me at this time, and, acc' pting it, | gave
up all idea of profession, and prepared to
go to tbs Indies. In my hurried visit home
of two days, | saw nothing of Mary Moore.
She had gone to boarding school in Mas
sachuse.ts, and was not expected home till
the next fall. gave one sigh to the men,
ory of my little blue-eyed playmate, and
then called myself man again.


tTu n vaar thourht No tho etoro
whirled away from our door, 'in year, or
three years at the most, will return, and
if Mary is as pretty as she used to be-why,
then, perhaps | may marry her."


l stroked back my budding moustache
with complacency, while settled the future
of young lady had not seen for four
years. never thought of the possibility
of her refusing me~-never dreamed that
she would not stoop with grateful tears to
pick up the handkerchief whenever chose
to throw it at her feet


But now know that had Mary met me
then, she would have de pissed me. She
was as far above me as the heavens are
above the earth. Perhaps, in the scented
and affected student, she might have found
plenty of sport; but, as for loving me, or
feeling the slightest interest in ,Ae, save
regret that should make such an unmti-
gated donkey Of myselr know she would
not


India was my salvation; not merely be-
cause of the plentiful share Of gold had
laid up, but because my earnest labor had
counteracted the evil of nature and made
me better man. And when at the end Of
three years prepared to return l wrote
nothing IN fhn 1..r I 80
meet Of the reformation which knew had
takea place. They loved me as l was"
murmured to myself, "and they shall find
for themselves if am better worth the low
ing as | am"


| packed up many token from that land
of gold for the friends was about to meet
The gift for Mary Moore was one had Sc
lected with beating heart ring of rough,
virgin gold, with my name and hers en-
graved inside That was all, and yet the
little toy thrilled me strangely as balanced
it upon the tip of my finger. To the eyes
OF others it was but small, plain circlet,
suggesting thoughts, perhaps, by its dainti
ness, of the dainty white hand that was to
wear it, But to ne oh, mellow much
was embodied there! a loving smile on a
beautiful iace--low words of welcome - a
happy home and a sweet face smiling th;re
"a group Of merry children to climb my
knee all these delights were hidden within
that ring of gold.


A tall, bearded, sun bronzed man,
knocked at the door of my fathers house
The lights in the parlar windows and the
hum of conversation and cheerful laughter
showed me that company were assembled
there. hoped my sister Jennie would
come to the door, and, that | might greet
my family when no strangers eyes were
looking curiously on. But no, a servant
girl answered my summons; they were too
merry in the parlor to heed that long alb.
sent one when he asked for admittance.-
Some such bitter thoughts were passing
through my mind as heard the sounds
from the parlor, and saw the half suppress
sed smile on the servants face.


hesitatcd moment before made N.Y.
self known or asked after the family. And
while stood silent strange separation
grew up before me. From behind the ser.
want peered out small, golden head-a
tiny, delicate form followed and a sweet,
childish face and blue eyes were lifted up to
mine, so like-so like the ons that had
frightened my boyhood, that started back
with sudden feeling of pain.


What may your name be, little one ?"
| asked, while the wondering servant held
the door.


She lifted up her hand as if to shade her
eyes-I had seen that very attitude in an
other, in my boyhood, maay and many a
time-and answered in a sweet, bird-like
voice:


Mary Moore


"And what else ?" l asked.


MARY Moore Chester" lispcd the little
child.


My heart sunk down like lead. Here was
an end to all the bright dreams and hopes
Of my youth and manhood! Frank Chester,
my boyish rival, who had tried in vain to
usurp my place beside the girl, had sue
cecded at last and won the woman away
from ma This uar his ch;lJ- -h;c ch;lJ