Year: 1860




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


Our mothers were old paymates and fist
cousins. Ny first recollection is of boy in a
red frock and morocco shoes, rocking cradle
in which reposed sunny haired, blue-eyed ba-
by, not quite a year old. That boy was myself
Harry Church that blue-eyed baby was Mary
Moore


Later still, see myself at the little school
house, drawing my little chaise up to the door,
that Mary might ride home. Many beating
have gained on such occasions, for other bows
besides me liked her, and she, fear, was some
thing of fiirt, even in her pinafores. How ell
egantly she came tripping down the steps when
! called her namel how sweetly her blue eyes
looaed up at me how g.y rang out her merry
laugh That fairy laugh No one but Mary
could ever bring her heart so soon to her lips /!
| followed that laugh from my days of childhood
till grew an awkward blushing youth fol-
lowed it through the heated noon of manhood
and now when the frosts of age are silYering
my halr and many children climb nv knee and
call me +" father | find that the memories of
youth are strong. and that even in gray hairs,
| am following its music still.
When was fifteen the first 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 like life itself to me-


But hearts are tough things after ALL


left college in all the flush and vigor of nv
nineteenth year. ! was no longer awkward and
embarrassed. I had grown into tall, slender
STRIPPING, with a very good opinion of myself
both IN general and particular. If thought of
Mary Moore, 1t was to imagine how | would
dazzle and bewilder her with my good looks and
wonderful attalnments-never thinking that she
might dazzle and bewilder me much more
was coxcomb. know but youth and good
looks have fed, trust may be believed when
say that self-conceit has LETT me also.


An advantageous proposal was made to me at
this time, and, accepting it, gave up all idea of
profession, and prepared to go to the Indies
In my hurried visit home of two days l saw mo-
thing of Mary Moore. She had gone to a board
ing school at some distance, and was not ex-
pected home till the following May uttered
one sigh to the memory of my little blue-eyed
playmate, and then called myself "a man
again"


In year." thought, as the vehicle whrled
away from our door, '' in year, or three years
at the very most, will return, and if Mary is as
pretty as she used TO be, why then, perhaps |
may marry her."


And thus | settled the future of a Young lady
"HoH Hou HOt seen LOT IOur years. never
thought of the possibility of her refusing me
never dreamed that she would not condescend to
accept my offer.


But now know that, had Mary met me then.
she would have despised me. 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 me, should have
perhaps found I was mistaken


India was my salvation, not merely because of
my success, but because my laborious industry
had counteracted the evil of my nature, and
made me better man. When at the end o.
three years | prepared to return, I said nothing
of the reformation in myself which knew had
taken place.


They loved me as was,"I murmured to
myself, " and they shall find out for themselves
whether am better worth loving than former
ly"


l.packed up many token from that land of
romance and gold, for the friends hoped to
meet The gift for Mary Moore | selected with
a beating heart; 1t was 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 on the tin
of my finger.


To the eyes of others it was but small plain !
circlet, suggesting thoughts, perhaps, by its ell
egance, OF the beautiful white hand that was to |
wear 1t. But to mellow much was embodied
there loving smile on beautiful face-low
words of welcome---a future home, and a sweet,
smiling face-a group of merry children to climb |
my knee-all these delights we're hidden within
that little ring of gold