The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-08-27
RAYMoND's PRIDE.
BY ANNA SHIELDS.
..Raymond Thurston. ] believe You


She was very proud of her brother,
proud OF his handsome face, OF his
popularity in society, of his talents.
and she considered he was about to
degrade himself socially. if not NOR
ally, by the stand he had announced
himself TO have taken. Seeing her
passionate outcry had not moved him,
she said. pleadingIy:
i "HaVe you no pride left? You who
had all the old Thurston pride once !"
II have just so much pride left. AM
abel, he answered, t.that cannot sit
here eating the bread of idleness an
other day.
~Yau know Won are more tiAa
come here.
= do know it. ] appreciate yonr
Z husbandss Kindness at is fun value,
Amabel. / hope the day will come
when I can prove it. And, sis, I am
only too thankful that you have his
true love and strong arm now, when
we have lost so much. Now, darling,
don't try to hold me back from honest
! employment"
'But, Raymond, you can surely OBJ
tain some gentlemanly employment"
81 have been trying faithfully for
six months, you know with what sue
cess. There, don't look at me so pitt
fully it will all come right one of
these days"
al wonder what Bertha Haines will
say when she sees you perched upon
the drivers seat of an express cart!'
For the first time the forced compos-
ure of Raymond's face was stirred. A
dark red flush crept to his very hair,
and he rose, aad walked up and down
the room. Glad to have moved him
at last, his sister said:
"With her aristocratic ideas, and the
pride that is Unborn in all her family,
she will never recognize you again,
Raymond"
"Then l must lose the honor of her
friendship" Raymond said. hoarsely.
"Don't say any more, Amabel r. And
unable to bear any further remon-
STRANGE, he left the room, and a little
later the house.
The Thurston pride of which Am
abel had spoken was stinging him
sorely, in spite of the brave face he
carried to cover it. He was man of
twenty eight, and his life had held on
Iy the pleasure of wealth the oppor-
tunities money gives for the develop
nent of intellect, for twenty seven OF
those years. His parents died when
he was a boy, and Amabel, his sister,
fifteen years his senior, married be-
fore she was twenty, and gave her
brother home whenever he was not
travelling, or in some seminary or col
lege. While he considered himself
rich man, Raymond had accepted the
hospitality as freely as it was offered,
and AmabePs jewel-case, her husbands
library, and her childfen's play-room
bore witness to her brothers generosi-
ty. But suddenly without warning,
there swept over the country one Of
the devastating financial crashes SO
overwhelming in this land of specula-
ton. Raymond was recalled from Eu
rope by his brother-in-law, informing
him that his entire patrimOny had
been swept away. Investments had
seemed to the young man, ignorant in
all business details, as secure as they
were flattering, had fallen to ruin and
few hundred dollars only were left
of what had been noble fortune.
AT first Raymond did not realize
the extent Of his misfortune. He was
still young, well educated, in perfect
health, and certainly the world held
some niche where he could earn an
honest living. But weeks of seeking
for employment gave him a keener
knowledge of his misfortune. Friends
who had been willing to smoke his
cigars and drink his wines, who were
yet willing to extend every social
greeting, shook their heads when ask
cd to confide any portion of their bust |
ness into his keeping.
Brought up to study, to live life of |
elegant leisure, Raymond Thurston,
at twenty eight, knew absolutely |
nothing of business, nor had he studi- !
ed any one branch sufficiently 10 quill
fly himself for a teacher. He tried |
faithfully to find some employment, |
spending what little remained of his /
fortune with the lavish hand that had |
not yet learned economy.
Society welcomed him home from |
two years wandering, for Amabel |
Barclay kept open house FOR herfriends
and Raymond was a favorIte in her !
circle. Her husband many years old |
er than herself, had long ago retired |
from business, with a large income. |
and while he gave Raymond cordial |
welcome, had no opportunity to aid |
him in finding an occupation.
And Bertha Haines, the friend from |
whom Raymond parted two years be- |
fore, in his renewed intercourse be-
came to him more than ever friend |
was before. They had not thought of |
love in the days when the girl was
debutante in society and Raymond |
one of its favorite beanx; but when !
they met, after the long parting, some /
new emotion stirred both hearts. !
They did not know what made the i
hours pass so quickly when they were
together, nor recognize the subtle
charm that dwelt for each in the others
presence, for many weeks.
Raymond was the first to awaken to |
the knowledge that love was the charm
that bound him to Bertha's side, when
ever she was present that it was love
that made her eyes, the dark sparkling
eyes, so beautiful in their expression
that love turned her voice so musical
that love made her the dearest of all
women in his eyes.
Amabel was delighted. Bertha was
one of her own fast friends, and Ber-
tha's father a merchant of standing
and influence. Aside from this, the
girl had inherited money from her
mother. Although Amabel decided
the match would be charming, but a
hint TO that effect met one of Ray
mond's sternest frowns, such as had
never visited his face in the old sun
shiny days.
"Never speak of it again, Amabel,"
he said. 81 am no fortune. hunter TO
live upon the money of rich wife.
I'll carve out my own way first !"
But carving his own way proved
tedious work, till, desperate at his
many, many failures, he accepted a
position, offered IN jest, of driver to
an express wagon.
81 do understand horses" he said, "if
1 cannot sell goods or keep books"
1t proved harder work, hover, than.
in the first flush of desperation, he had
imagined. Not the mere work. that
he soon conquered, but the Sights,
rudeness and stares of his old friends.
Some few recognized the true nobility
that accepted any honest labor, rather
1