The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-01-23
Select STORY.
RAYMOND'S PRIDE.
A STORY OF REAL LIFE.

Raymond Thurston, | believe you are
insane
As Amabel spoke, her voice had sharp
quiver of pain as well as anger. She was
very proud Of her brother-proud of his
handsome face, of his talcnts-and she
considered he was about to degrade him.
self socially if not morally, by the stand he
had announced himself to have taken.
Seeing her passionate outery had not
moved him, she said, plcadingly
"Have you no pride left You who
had all the old Thuston pride once y
"I have just so much pride left, ANA.
BEL he answered, ''that cannot sit here
eating the bread of idleness another day
"You know you are more than welcome
here"
al do know it. l appreciate your hus,
bands kindness at its full value, Amabel
hope the day will come when ] can prove
it. And, Sis, 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 obtain
some gentlsmanly position p
al have been trying faithfully for siI
months, you know with what success
There, don't look at me 50 pitifully; it will
come right one ofthess days
"I wonder what Bertha Haines will
say when she secs you perched upon the
drivers seat of an express cart !"
For the first time the forced composure
Of Raymond's face was stirred. A dark
red flush crspt to his very hair, and he
rose aud 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 her family, she
will never recognize you again, Ray.
mond"
"Then | must lose the honor Of her
friendship" Raymond said, hoarseiy.-
Don't say any more, AmabelP And
unable to bear any further rcmonstrance
he left the room, and little later the
house.
The Thurston pride Of which Amabel
had spoken, was singing him sorely, in
spite Of the brave face he carried to cover
it. He was man Of twenty y-eight, and
his life had held only the pleasure oi
wealth, the opportunities money gives fol
the development of intellect for twenty
seven Of those yean,- His parents died
when he was boy, and Amabel, his only
sister, fifteen years his senior, married be-
fore she was twenty, aud gave her brother
home, whenever he was not travelling
or iB soms seminary or college. While
be considered himself rich man, Ray
mond had accepted this hospitality as freely
as it was offered, and Amabels jewel-case
her husbands library, and her children''
play-room bore witness to her brothers
generosity. But suddenly, without warn
ing there swept over the country one oi
the devastating financial crashes so over
whelming in this land Of speculation, and
Raymond was recalled from Europe by
his brother-i in-law, informing him that hi;
entire patrimony bad been swept away
Investments that had seemed to the young
man, ignorant 10 all business details, a.
secure as they were fattering, had fallen
to ruin, and few hundred dollars only
were left Of what had been a noble for
tune.
AT first Raymond did not realize the
extent Of his misfortune. He was still
young, wen educated, in perfect health
aud 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 bad been willing to smoke
his cigars and drink his wines, who were
yet willing to extend every social greeting,
shook their heads when asked to con6de
any portion Of their business into his
keeping.
Brought up to study, to live life Of