Year: 1874

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


Later still, see myeslf at the old
school house, drawing my little chase
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 some.
thing Of tllrt, even IN her pinafore. How
elegantly she came tripping down the
steps when called her na,ae: how sweet
ly her blue eyes looked at me, how gaily
rang out her merry laugh. No one but
Mary could ever bring her heart so near
her lips followed that laugh from my
days Of childhood till grew an awkward
blushing youth; / followed it through
the heated noon Of manhood and now
when the frosts of age are silvering my
hair, and many children climb upon my
knee and call me " father, ! find that
the memories Of youth are strong, and
that even in gray hairs I'm following the
music still


When | was fifteen the first great sor.
row OF my life came upon my breast.
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 sentence Of death, for Mary
was like itself to me. But hearts are
tough things after all.


left college in all the flush of my
nineteenth year. was'no longer awk
ward or embarrassed had grown into
a tall, slender STRIPPING, with very good
opinion of myself both in general and
particular. II | thought of Mary Moore,
it was to think how could dazzle and
bewider her with my good looks and
wonderful mental attanments, and never
thinking she might dazzle and bewider
me still more. ! was a coxcomb, ! know,
but as youth and good looks nave fled, |
trust that may be believed when | say
that:sef. concet has left me also


An advantageous proposal was made
me at that time, and accepting it, gave
up all idea of profess on, and prepared
to go to India. In my hurried visit
home of two days | saw nothing of Mary
Moore. She had gone to a boarding
school at some distance, and was not ex
pectcd home until the following May. l
uttered sigh to the memory ofmy little
bIue-eyed playmate, and then called my
self "a man again.


In year, thought as the vehicle
whirled away from our aoor-I will re-
turn, 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 whom | had not seen for
four years. never thought of tue pos
sibiity of her refusing me-nevcr
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 stu
dent she might have found plenty of
sport; but as for loving me, should
perhaps have found myself mistaken In.
dia was my salvation, not merely because
Of my success, but because nv laborious
industry had cornteracted the evil in my
nature, and had made me better man
When at the end of three years, pre-
pared to return, said nothing of the
reformation Of my self which knew had
taken place They loved me as vas,
murmured to myself, and they shall find
out for themselves whether am better
worth loving than formerly.


Ip'cked up many token from that,
and Of romance ana gold for the friends
| hoped to meet. The gift for Mary
Moore selected 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 l balanced it on
the TIP OF my finger


TO the eyes Of others it was but a
small plain circle suggesting thoughts,
perhaps, by its elegance, Of the beautiful
white hand that was to wear it. But not
to mellow much was embodied there
all these delights were hidden within
that little ring of gold


Tall, bearded, and sun bronzed, /
Knocked at my fathers house. The light
in the parlor window, and the hum of
conversation and cheerful laughter,
showed me that company was assembled
there. hoped that sister Lizzie would
come to the door, and | might greet my
family when no strange eye was looking
carelessly on


| But no, servant answered my sum.
mons They were too merry in the par
lor to heed the long absent one who
asked tor udmittance. A hitter thought
like this run through my mind as heard
the sound from the parlur, and saw the
half.suppressed smile on the servant s
face.


hesitatcd moment before making
myself known or asking for any of my
family. And while ! stood silent n
strange uppari'ion grew up before me
from behind the servant peered out a
golden head. tiny, delicate form and
sweet childish face with blue eyes, so like
those of one who had frightened my boy
hood, that ! started with a sudden feel.
ing Of pain.


"What is your naIe, my pretty 7"
asked, while the wondering servant held
the door.


Mary Moore"


"And what else :" asked quickly.


She lifted up her hands to shake her
face. had seen that very attitude in
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