The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-06-06

father on his death bed that [ wou Id
never marry any man who had no pro
fession or trade, one whose hands were
soft aud white, who, should wealth take
wings, knew not how to labor, either
mentally or physically, for his bread.
You may think me peculiar-perhaps
unkind-but you cannot fill my idea Of
true manhood MS long as you neglect to
develop your mind. we were not placed
here to lead butterfly existence
Frightened at having said so much,
Agnes hid her face in her hands. Ralph
sprang up like one awakened from
dream. New thoughts went hurrying
through his brain. Reared in atfluence,
with every wish gatifed, this aimlsss,
Inactive life had become part Of his
nature, He was thoroughly awoke now !;
.all his dormant energies were springing
into life. He would never again be the
idle, drone he had heretofore been
Ag ncs stole glance at him, and wond
cred Mt the transformation. He was
standing erect, his head thrown back !,
his really fine features lit up by an ex
preston she had never seen before.
Agnes he said, as he bent over her
and touched rever emily the braids Of her
brown hair, agnes, you have spoken
truth. au living like n poltroon upon
the fortune NY father amasscd for me !;
ana wasting the fortune God gave me-.
Little teacher, your ords shall not be
in vain. When [ am come again, | will
come more worthy Of you, or 1 will never
come. Let me but kiss this little hand;
it is all the pledge ask. Indeed, l
have no right to ask any pledge Gent
ly, rcverently, he raised her little hand
to his lips, aud then walked away.
Five years the seasons come and went,
and with them came changes to Agnes
home. Her mother was dead she was
all alone.
No word had ever come directly from
Ralph She had heard Of him in the
basy city as a rising young architect.
Her cheeks glowed when she heard his
praise, although she believed he had
forgotten ksg ORA Y xearaha haa haen
teuching in distant city, where she
received better salary.
Five years from the time we first met
her, she returned to her native village
to visit ner friends and her mothers
grave.
She was walking sl,wly al ong the
green lane that led to the village GENE
terry, uunieidful of the violets and buttc-
cups that raised tkeir tiny heads and
looked up pityingly at her.
She was very lonely this beautiful
bright spring morning. There were
traces of tears upon her sweet face, and
her roscy lips quivored Ii Ike those of a
grieved child. This was her moment Of
weakness, she would be strong again by
aud by.
A gentleman was coming up the lane.
A stranger she thought. Unconsciously
she found herself admiring his tall, man
ly form, and firm, rcsolute tread. Per
haps it was the contrast with her own
weakness that attracted her attention
and drew forth her admiration.
lie came nearer, paused, and held out
his hands, saying simply:
My dearest Agnes J
'Ralphv she replied, and placed her
little hands in his.
4 have come, he said, 'as | promised.
l trust ] am more worthy of you than
when we parted Two years ago, the
emergency you foresaw. came. My for
tune was all swept away. Thanks to
you, was prepared for the trial. | can
earn our daily bread now, have snug
little homo. Will you come, dearest
Agucs?'
20 Ralph, it will be like heaven, she
said, aud they went down tho lane to
gether.
In after years Ralph used to say,
when his friends remarked his devotion
to his wife:
I o,.,ht loyo -, ,u;co b,ttnr N,