MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
/tf’L 'slim* if 4Kr>-f'h their homesick tone, became gayer, and af- attentions. But Mary was a sensible girl, 
vi/'ljL pivlll ill yhl U ij JpOUUK. torwards shorter,less frequent, and less like and Frank’s vanity had so wounded her, 
■ - - -i- -- himself; but it was attributed to a press of that she wished to see as little of him as 
For the Rural New-Yorker. business and it created no little excitement possiblo ; besides tho sneering tone with 
MARY GRAY. in our quiet neighborhood, when the second I which he spoke of church-going, shocked 
summer Mr. Leo received a letter from her, and would have been sufficient in itself, 
Sweet Mary Gray ! As I sit dreamily Frank one day, stating that he should be at to make her shun his company, 
knitting by this mellow firelight, such pleas- homo in a week. Tbo visit she had looked forward to with 
ant memories of my early friend arise, as The interest manifested by all, showed so much pleasure, was almost ended, and 
make it seem that other hearts than mine the hold lie had upon our hearts, and every she rejoiced when the time camo for him to 
would be glad to know something of her foot passenger that came down tho hill, tho depart. The Frank she onco know, tho 
history. It is a story of child-love, and all day ho was expected, was Frank till a near- playmate of her childhood, was still in hor 
who have no sympathy with its mysteries, er view removed tho illusion. It was only heart, but the Frank who had just left them 
would do well to read no farther. a mile to the depot, and wo did not think seemed like an usurper who was trying to 
r»,„. +u n f that a lono- walk for him. drivo out the idol she had cherished there 
Frank recovered slowly, and it was somo yet, but promised to let mo go the next day ; 
time bofore he could walk to any of tho so Mary said Frank would come for me bo- 
neighbors. He often thought of Mary Gray, fore breakfast, both because ho could leavo 
and wondered why she did not call on him, better early in the morning, and because 
as she was almost tho only one of his old they wanted mo all day. 
friends that had not; but ho asked no ques- And surely, tho next morning, bcforol was 
tions, so no one mentioned that she was away ready, came Frank, the very picture of 
from home. He determined, however, to health, and bringing with him their little 
call upon her as soon as ho was ablo, and girl—a sweet little Mary Gray again, were 
endeavor to correct if possiblo tho unfavor- it not for thoso mischievous black eyes of 
able impression ho had made. 
Frank’s peeping out from under her white 
would do well to read no farther. 
< Our noon-time rambles from that brown that a long walk for him. drive out tho idol she had cherished there 
| old school-houso, how well do I remember Presently, however, down the bill camo a so long, and place himself in its stead. Hhe 
S them,—and it still seems to me through the pair of fine, grays, which we recognized as tiied to banish both, but tho fust was too 
\\ lapse of years, that there never was another belonging to mine host of the Centre House, firmly fixed to be easily torn away, and tho 
5 place so appropriate for a school-house as and as ho passed we noticed a well dressed shadow of tho last was forever hanging over 
(I that, with its sloping hill-side, and tho little young man with him, who looked familiar, it, clouding the sunshine it. had hitherto 
/1 stream at its foot. It was a quiet brook in but we could not think who it was. Ihev gi\on hoi being, and poxtending gloom and 
ij summer, but spring would swell it almost to stopped at Mr. Lees the young man got sonow. _ 
a river, and, as it roared along its narrow out, and the gia\s c.ane bac.v. Surely it qq v0 y Cars m oro had passed away, and 
i! banks and bounded over the old mill-gato, must be Frank— wo wondered d he was sick. aga|n fcho newg spread through our quiet 
community that Frank Leo was coming 
it seemed to us that the Niagara we had Our old grandfather had a woman’s 
read of, could not look much grander. share of curiosity, and could not wait 
But tho crowning glory of all was tho long before ho took his hat and cane, and 
grand old woods, only a few rods from tho went over to Mr. Loos to see about it. He 
share of curiosity, and could not wait home, but this time in very poor health, and 
long before ho took his hat and cano, and ifc wag fea - red to dle 
school-houso, where such flowers bloomed | had not been gone moro than halt an hour, 
as never grew in other woods,—at least so when ho came back looking sad and dis- 
we thought—they camo so early, before the pleased, 
snow was all gone. We called them “Spring lie said, 
Boauties”—small pink flowers, penciled with “ No, it 
linos of deeper hue, and so delicate withal the city.” 
When wo asked if it was Frank, 
‘ No, it is not Frank ; it is Mr. Leo, from 
you could not keep them in a boquot half 
an hour before they would wither. 
All who think, if a school-houso is com- 
We laughed, and he added, “ At least it is 
Almost instantly, tho old affection that 
had once been felt for him revived. His 
visit seemed to be forgotten, and only tho 
noble, generous-hearted boy that left us, 
was coming back. 
Mary’s love for Frank had been tho gold¬ 
en thread of her existence, brightening and 
tinging with its own radiant color all that 
He remembered well, and with grief and sun-bonnet, with a look of such shy wonder. Si 
shame, tho coldness with which she had O, what a delightful drive was that! For |) 
treated him, and ho remembered too, the two years tho walls of a great city had shut s? 
joyful agitation with which she first greetod out alfsuch sights from my eyes, and I could 
him, and tho blushes which invariabiy suf- now, moro than over, appreciate them/ — |v 
fused her faco when they met afterwards, When wo came in sight of the houso, Frank 1/ 
which he then thought but the indications pointed it out to me, and there was Mary |) 
of country bashfulness, but which now whis- standing in tho sweetest of all vine-wreath- ai 
pered a tale that was dear to his heart—for, od little piazzas in the world, watching for IS 
with the return of his former self, had re- us, and by tho time wo had reached tho 
turned his former feelings towards ‘ Mary, gate, Mary was there, dressed jin a neat cal- IS 
and he much feared that his selfish conse- ico morning gown, with a pleasant word of 
quence had entirely alienated her affection, welcome on her lips, and her arms out- |) 
Accordingly, one day ho dressed himself stretched to receive her darling little Maggie. | j 
with a little moro than his ordinary care, And what a breakfast wo had in that deli- 
and by tho help of a slender cano, tho only ciously cool room, Iragrant with the breath IS 
evidence of his former foppery, now become roses and honey-suckles, and every thing |\ 
quite useful, walked over to Mr. Gray’s.— hi such exquisite keeping, from tho pale gr 
Ho had been there but a short time, and brown coffeo cups to tho neat rag carpet JS 
learned the cause of Mary’s absenco, when that covered the floor, and f rom tho charm- |( 
she and her cousin drove up to the gate. 
Mary bounded lightly from the carriage, 
and as she camo running up to tho door ; 
er who presided over all, to the perfectly 
white kitten that lay in the sleepy sunshine 
upon the door stone ! I do not remember 
$j fortablo on tho inside, it is all that is re- miy where in spite ol his whiskers. He 
quired, could not have had so happy a paused again, then added with mocksolem- 
| childhood as thoso waving woods and flow- nity, “ Ho must have been the Mayor sad- 
\ ; n <r streams ^avo us. visor, for it can hardly be possible that theie 
) Mary Gray was tho daughter of our near- could bo two men in tho city at the same 
| ost neighbor, a fair-haired, blue-eyed little time, who knew as much as he does. 
< girl of nine summers, when they first camo This was quite a damper to our oxpccta- 
$ to our neighborhood. GenElo and affection- tions, and when he called on us in tho after¬ 
's ato, sho soon became a favorite with tho noon, our greeting was constrained and ai- 
)| scholars, and Frank Lee installed himsolf most cold, and our conversation as common- 
not the I rank that went away. lo be suie j ay b es j ( ] 0 ft, b u t s ] 10 had of late struggled 
he has grown, but I should have known him earnestly to exnel it from heart, that on- 
so earnestly to expel it from heart, that on¬ 
ly now and then a gleam flashed up with 
anything of its olden brilliancy. When she 
her special champion. 
nity, “ He must have been the Majoi s ad heard ho was again coming home, sho found 
viser, for it can hardly be possible that thei e herself dwelling upon it so often, and £$ in- 
could bo two men in tho city at the same tent]y> that it wa8 wit h feelings of bitter 
time, who know as much as he does.” self-reproach, sho was compelled to ac- 
This was quite a damper to our expecta- knowledge to herself, that her former love 
tions, and when he called on us in the after- for him was not gone, but had only slum- 
noon, our greeting was constrained and al- berod. 
most cold, and our conversation as common- As the time drew nearer for him to come, 
place as it would have been with any gen- and Mary strove tho more earnestly to bo- 
Frank saw hor through tho window, and now what we had for breakfast, only the ex¬ 
thought ho had never seen her look half so ceIlont coffee ’ and sweefc hom e-made bread 
lovely. As soon as her first greeting with and butter ’ and wero 110 ** 1 could nofc 
,, -i , n i. now do it the justice I then did at the table, 
tho family was over, Frank advanced to meet J 
her. Mary extended her hand, but the sui;- After breakfast Mary asked us into a small 
prise, and the sight of his pale, emaciated room s ^ e called their library, to see their 
features, quito overcame her, and she burst books and pictures, while Hie was clearing 
into tears. She hastened up stairs, under awa y the breakfast things, and there I found 
the pretext of laying away her things, but a sraad collection of choice books, which 
she could not calm herself in a moment, evin ced most clearly tho fine taste of tho 
and therefore resolved to stay awhile and roadevs - Several protty and well executed 
see if he would not go away. Notwithstand- drawings, and fine daguerreotypes of I rank 
ing her agitation, Mary did not fail to re- and ^ ar y» adorned the walls. On the littio 
member the fervent, though trembling pres- 1 ound table, I discovered among the papers, 
efore resolved to stay awhile and roadevs * Several pretty and well executed 
would not co awav. Notwithstand- drawin g f b and finc daguerreotypes of Frank 
and Mary, adorned the walls. On the littio 
round table, I discovered among the papers, 
It was Frank that helped build Mary’s tlcman who happened to call. IIo asked Hove that she did not love him, it seemed sure of that pale thin hand, and his evident a balf finished sketch of a child asleep in a 
play-house, and brought bushes from the me to accompany him in his round of visits, 
woods to cover it; and Frank’s foot pene¬ 
trated farthest into the woods for flowers 
and wo called first at Mr. Gray’s. 
that every littio incident connected with 
their childhood camo before her mind. Sho 
Wo were admitted by Eila. I asked for could not pass tho old walnut treo that 
to decorate it. And in winter, who but Ma- Mary, and presently sho came tripping in, stoo j between tho door and the well, with- 
ry held by Frank’s bolt or coat skirts as he her usually pale cheeks glowing with exer- out thinking of tho swing Frank fastened 
skated all over tho frozen pond ? Who but ciso, her countenance beaming with beauty U p 0n one of its limbs, long ago, for her; and 
Frank guided Mary s sled down the steep and animation. She greeted mo gently tho bounding stream that tho accumulated 
hill ? and wo botide tho unlucky boy who and looked inquiringly at my companion.— waters of spring sent roaring alon'<* it; 
embarrassment, so different from his im¬ 
pudent, conceited manner on a former oc¬ 
casion. 
Mrs. Gray romarked, by way of apology 
for Mary, after she left, that she was not pre¬ 
pared for so great a change in her old friend. 
willow cradle, and recognized it immediate¬ 
ly as little Maggie. I took this out to Mary 
and asked whoso work it was. “ O, it’s mino,” 
said Mary, laughing. “Maggie looked so 
sweet when I laid her in tho cradle yester¬ 
day, that I thought I would try to make a 
hill ? and wo botide tho unlucky boy who and looked inquiringly at my companion.— 
should dare to put out afoot mischievously, I introduced him as Mr. Lee, from II., and 
to tip Mary into tho snow. 
Wo all know Mary and Frank loved oach 
the smilo which accompanied his salutation, 
tho bounding stream that the accumulated 
waters of spring sent roaring along it;- 
banks, so that it could be heard in her litt.L 
bed-room, was no longer a lullaby to he- 
Frank soon concluded that Mary would not P*°turo her, but s ^° ' va ked beforo it was 
J L . IT* __1 T .1 J L 1 _T ~ .. 
other, young as they were; but it seemed sprang forward with extended hand, ex- 
porfectly natural and right that they should, claiming, “O Frank! Frank, it is you ! I down its swift waters, 
for Frank was tho pride of the school, and am so glad you have como.” Mary’s friends began to observe that sh< 
Mary was so good and gentle. Poor Mary, thought I, how .she will regret was paler than usual, and less cheerful, apt! 
- this warm, impulsive reception when she were apprehensivo that she was ill, but sht 
I he rosy hours of four long summers had knows him. Tho heart-gush of her affec- assured them sho was quito well, — and 
glided happily by, the snows ot five winteis tionato wolcomiming seemed really to move desiring to escapo their scrutiny, an< 
had lain upon tho eartu, audit was spiing him, and for a moment I could recognize avoid meeting Frank, whicli she feared sh< 
seemed to bring back old memories, for she but only pictured to her the cascades Frank 
sprang forward with extended hand, ex- had made, and the little boats he had sen 
desire to see him again that day, and re¬ 
turned home. 
Not many days after, as Mary sat by tho 
half done, and I don’t know as I shall ever 
get the rest of it.” 
Soon after, Mary asked me to go into tho 
Mary was so good and gentle. 
had lain upon tho earth, and it was spring 
open window of the parlor, busily engaged § ard on with her to help pick peas for din- 
with her sewing, and humming to herself a ner ’ and ^ ^ was before charmod with tho 
“ low sweet snatch of song,” Frank came qui- bouse, tho garden seemed its fitting coun- 
otly through the Title gate, and seeing Mary, ^eipart.. Little Maggie was with us in her 
entered unannounced, hoping to find her P 10 *^ Httle wagon, and I was pleased to see 
alone. She arose quite self-possessed, offered how ( l uick a word from her mothcr P Icased 
him her hand, and asked him to be seated. and c l lde ^ cd ber whenever tfo stopped. 
again. Our little company had so long something of tho Frank wo lovod so well, could not now do with composure, sho de 
been unbroken, but it could not remain so. hut it was soon gone. termined to ask lea,vo of hor parents t 
As Mary and I rank stood by one of those Poor Mary ! I could see that sho wished spend a f ew weeks with an aunt in an ad 
deep windows, in the noon-timo of “ the last to bo alone, and I suggested that it would joining countv. 
day, wo could easily perceive that their be dark before wo made all our proposed It was a beautiful morning in spring wher 
She had heard from her parents and others 
since her return, that Frank was quite chang¬ 
ed for the better, and she therefore felt more 
at oaso in his presence. 
The natural reserve caused by their long 
I inquired of Mary who worked their gar¬ 
den, and she said, “ I do all the light weed¬ 
ing, and when thero is not much to do in 
tho store, I go in thero and stay with Mag¬ 
gie, and Frank comes out and works in the 
conversation was of moro interest than the calls. 
separation, wore quickly away. Frank drew j garden, and sometimes ho works awhile in 
bis chair up to Mary, and respectfully taking j fhe morning, so that we keep it in order.” 
coming exercises for tho afternoon, and Whon wo passed out, Frank remarked q'ho sun was shining warmly from a cloud 
shortly after Mary camo to mo with a sad- that Mary would bo quite handsome ii sho less skv ; tho buds were beginning to swel 
dened countenance, to say that i'rank was wero better dressed; “but then, he contin- and redden, and hero and there a patch o 
going away in a few weeks to live with his ued, “I don t like her manners at all, she is grass looked green, as if to give promise o 
uncle, who was a merchant in the city, and too bashful, but country girls are apt to be, approaching vegetation. But Mary’s tho’t 
wished his assistance in his store, and, as dont you think so ." ’ were little in unison with the cheerful scene, 
his father could spare him as well as not, “Very likely,” I replied. It only brought back the happy days of the 
and lie would also have a chance to see “ 0,” said he with much enthusiasm, “I past sho would gladly have remembered less 
his father could spare him as woll as not, “ Very likely,” I replied, 
and he would also have a chance to see “ O,” said he with much enthusiasm, 
something of tho world and “learn its ways,” wish you could see somo of our city lad 
he was going. They are so graceful, so charming;” tl 
Then Frank camo up, wo began to talk added with a sigh, “ what a dull place ! 
about it, and soon tho news spread over tho shall not bo able to stay hero a week.” 
school-room, and all gathered around with “Very likely,” said I again, and he tun 
wish you could see some of our city ladies, vividly. One moment she thought of Frank, 
They are so graceful, so charming;’ then as tho generous hearted boy she had loved 
added with a sigh, “what a dull place ! I s0 proudly, and the next, tho dark shadow 
shall not bo able to stay hero a week. his visit had left settled upon tho brigh* 
“Very likely,” said I again, and he turned memory, as a fearful cloud coming up at 
questions, expressions of regret, and proph- to mo with a look that asked, “ is that all noon, would give a dreary gloominess to the 
“ 0, don’t go,” said Mary’s little sister 
you can say . 
It did indeed seem that Frank had im- 
hitherto sunny day. 
As she thought of his excessivo vanity 
Ella. “ Who’ll carry mo home from school bibed a most thorough contempt for ove^-y- an ft the absence of all that was once manly 
blushed crimson, and Frank took Ella in on a farm, or even in the country, ho could racked with pain. It was thought ho was 
his arms and said, “The mud will soon be at best regard but with emotions of pity. consumptive, but our good old physician 
dried up, and you must not break your wag- The next Sabbath afternoon, as Mary gave it as his opinion that thepuieair and 
on when there is no one to mend it.” camo out of the little gate to go to church, quiot of country lifo, and regular habits, 
Then Peter Jones, a selfish looking boy, she was met by Frank, who accosted her would in time give him a comfortablo degree 
who was noted for his jealousy, said, “ I sup- quito familiarly, remarking he had just conre of health, though it might never lcstoiohis 
pose when Frank gets be a clerk in the city to ask her to ride with him. once sound constitution, 
he’ll bo so proud he’ll not not think of such “ I have just started for church,” said Frank thought with shame of his former 
things as mending wagons, carrying little Mary, making an effort to bo very calm. visit, for ho now saw tho folly of the vain 
girls home, and the like, nor hardly speak to “ Do you still go to church all day every ideas ho had formed, and expected to meet 
common folks.” Sabath?” asked Frank, with a slight tono of with coldness and contempt, yet ho deter- 
“ O, Peter, Peter,” said Ella, putting her contempt. mined to confess his error frankly, and by 
arms around Frank’s neck, “how can you “It is seldom that I stay at home,” said his future conduct win back their lost esteem, 
say so ? you know he won’t get proud.” Mary, with dignity. But as they rodo slowly along on their 
“ For shamo, Peter ! shame on you,” cried “ I should like your company particular- way homo from tho depot, from almost ev- 
half a dozen voices, I saw a tear in Frank’s ly,” persisted Frank; but Mary begged to cry house camo out somo well remembered 
eye, and his lip trembled, but ho did not be excused, and remarking that it was late, friend to inquire about his health, with live- 
trust himself to say a word. proceeded on her way. ly sympathy, and their aftoctionato remem- 
In three weeks Frank went to the city, and Frank was astounded. He had supposed brance and forgiving kindness so touched 
all wo know of him was by his letters. The that Mary would feel especially honored, Frank’s heart that ho wept like a child, and 
first were full of heart pinings, and loving and consider herself the envy of all tho said to his father, “ I havo net deserved all 
messages to his old friends, but they soon lost girls in tho neighborhood by securing his this.” 
Mary started to make tho proposed visit.f her hand began to talk of his former visit. I As I sat by Mary helping hor shell tho ;|] 
He portrayed his errors in so strong a light, peas, I was thinking how easily Mary seemed 
and deeply regretting his follies, pictured to do every thing, and asked her how sho 
them so vividly, that Mary said when she managed to get along so well with the cares 
tried to think the worst of Frank sho could, of housekeeping. She laughingly replied, 
sho had never thought half so badly of him “ I do not know as I manage at all. I have 
as he now did of himself. Sho could but n o moro to do than I can do with easo, and 
add a word of apology, now and then, and as f° r tho ’cares of housekeeping, they are 
Frank concluded by saying ho should not a h delights to mo. Don’t you you think it 
regret it so much after all, it had been such is a ploasure to mo to get up in tho early 
an excellent losson for him, if it had not da ^n and get our own breakfast, and sit 
been the causo of hopelessly alienating her down with Frank to eat it ? and then get 
affections from him; for, said he, drawing the house in order again, and prepare somo- 
her confidently towards him, “ I believe you thing I know will please him for dinner,—all 
did onco lovo mo, Mary, did you not ?” the while gratified with tho assurance that 
Mary could only hide her head on his tdl ^ do P lom °t es his happiness, and that 
shoulder, though sho afterwards confessed, ko a PP rccia tes every little act 0 i solf-do- 
that much as she had tried to banish him nial, and every effort I make to please him? 
glad she might now lovo him unreservedly, a sweet blush, “ but I did not tell you this 
Frank’s health was now slowly but cer- to make you dissatisfied with your lifo of 
tainly improving, and let us say, without single blessedness, but to assure you that if 
any further ceremony, that Frank and Mary you ever should have a mind to take upon 
wero married, and, as our neighborhood yourself the cares of housekeeping, they will 
was getting to bo quito a village, it was not quito crush you.” 
deemed advisable for Frank to set up a store. Dinner time came, and with it Frank’s 
So with Frank’s earnings, and tho portion company a long hour—thanks to all custo- 
Mr. Lee had designed for him, a houso and mers who stayed away. Frank laughed a 
store wero built, and tho twenty-five acres little over the mistaken notions ho once im- 
Mr. Gray gave to Mary were sold to help bibed, but I could soo it gave him no pleas- 
furnish them. ure f° reca ^ it, and the subject was soon 
_ dropped. 
Now, stories generally end here, but many I must not dwell longer on the particulars 
havo said, and married people in particular, of that day’s visit, except to tell of the dish 
that hero is just where they should begin; of fine strawberries that camo from their 
so to please them, I will toll of a day spent own garden, and graced tho tea-tablo that 
at Frank Lee’s after being absent two years, afternoon; and of tho pleasant drivo home 
Mary had heard I was at home, and came that night by moonlight with, Mary, while 
down to see mo the next day. She tried to Maggie lay asleep in hor littio wagon in one 
persuade mo to return with her. My good corner of her father’s counting room, 
old mother thought she could not spare me Lucy. 
