Year: 1862

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


Our mothers were old playmates AM first
cousins. My first recollection is of a young
gentleman in a turkey red frock and morocco
shoes, rocking a cradle, in which reposed
sunny haired blue eyed baby not quite year
old. That young gentleman was myself, Harry
Church that blue eyed baby was Mary
Moore.


Later still saw myself at the little red
school house, drawing my painted sled up to
the door, and arranging my overcoat on it
that Mary might ride home. Many black
eye have gained on such occasions -; for 9TH
er boys liked her beside me, and she am
afraid was something of a Girt, even in her
pinnifore.-How dainty she came tripping
down the steps when called her name how
sweetly her blue eyes looked up to me from
the envious folds of her winter hood /! how
gaily her merry laugh rung out when by dint
of superhuman exertions kept her sled be
fore the rest and let her stand upon the steps
exultingly to SEQ them all 60 by! The fairy
laugh No one but Mary could let her heart
lay SO upon her lips | followed that laugh
up from my days of childhood till grew an
awkward, bushing youtb-I followed it
through the heated noon of manhood, and
now, when the frosts Of age are silvering nv
hair, and many children climb my knee and
call me Father" find that music still.
When | was fifteen, the first great sorrow of
my life came upon me. | was sent away to q
western school and was obliged to part with
Mary. We were not to see each other for
three long years! This to me was sente nee
of death for Mary was like life to me. But
hearts are very tough things after all. left
college in all the flush and vigor of my nine
teenth year. | was no longer awkward and
embarrassed, had grown into tall, slender
stripping, with very good opinion of my
self in general and PARTICULAR thought of
Mary Moore, it was to imagine how would
dazzle and bewllder her with my good looks
and wonderful attainments never thinking
that she might dazzle and bewilder me still
more was sad puppy, know, but as
youth and good looks have fed, trust |
may be believed when say the self conceit
has left me also.


An advantageous proposal was made to me
at this time, and accepting | gave up all ideas
of profession and prepared to 60 to the Indies.
In my hurried visit home saw nothing Of
Mary Moore. She had gone to boarding
school in Massachusetts, and was not expect
ed home till the next fall. | gave one sigh to
the memory of my little blue eyed playma
and then called myself a man again.


/" In year." thought, AS the stage whirl-
ed away from our door, in year, three at
the most, will return, and if Mary is as
pretty as she used to he-why then perhaps
l may marry her.


stroked my budding mustache with COM
placency, 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 l know that had Mary met me
then she would have despised me. She was
as far above me as the heavens are above the
earth. Perhaps in the scented and effected
student she might have found plenty of sport !;
but as for loving me, or feeling the slightest
interest in me save regret that should
make such an unmitigated donkey of myself
know she would not.