Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-03-08
Raymond's Pride-.-A Story Of Real Life.

insane"
As Amabel spoke, her voice had a sharp
quiver of pain, as well as anger She was
very proud of her brother-proud OF his
handsome face, proud of his talents-and
she considered he was about to degrade him
self, socially If not morally, by the stand he
had announced himself 10 have taken. See
ing her passionate outcry had not moved
him, She said, pleadingly
Have you no pride You had all the
old Thurston pride once
| have Just so much pride left Amabel,"
he answered, "that | cannot sit here and eat
the bread Of idleness another day"
"lou know you are more than welcome
here"
81 do know it. | appreciate your hus.
bands 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 gentemanly position"
" have been trying faithfully for six
months; you know with what success. There,
don't look at me so pitfully, it viii come
right one Of these days
Wbnnfl NldA bfllilb iiAlhTN NAA soy
when she sees 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 crept to his very hair, and he rose aud
walked up and down the room. Glad to
have him moved at last, his sister said
With her aristocratic ideas and the pride
that is born in her family, she will never rec
ognize you again, Raymond"
" Then must lose the honor of her friend
ship" said Raymond hoarsely. DO not
say any more, Amabel." And, unable TO
hear any further remonstrance, he left the
room, and soon after 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. lie
was a man of twenty-eight, and his life had
held only the pleasures of wealth, the oppor-
tunites money gives for the development of
the intellect, for twenty-seven of these years.
His parents died when he was a boy, and
Amabel, his only sister, fifteen years his SEN
ior, married before she was twenty and gave
her brother home whenever he was not
travelling, or in some seminary or college.
While he considered himself rich man,
Raymond had accepted the hospitality as
freely as it was offered, and Amabel's Jewel
case, her husbands library, aud her chill
dren's pay-room bore witness of her brothers
generosity. But suddenly, without warning,
there crept over the country one OF the dew
astating financial crashes so overwhelming
in this land of speculation, and Raymond
was recalled from Europe by his brother-in-
law, informing him that his entire patri-
mony had been swept away. Investments
that had seemed to the young man, ignorant
of all business details, as secure as they were
iattering, had fallen to ruin, and a few hun
dred dollars only were left of what had been
a noble fortune.
At first Raymond did not realize the ex.
tent of his misfortune lie was still young,
well educated, in perfect health, and GER
tainly the world had some niche where he
could earn livelihood. But weeks of seek
ing 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 ex-
tend even social greeting, shook their heads
when asked to confde any portion of their
business into his keeping.
Brought up to study, 10 live a life of ele-
giant leisure, Raymond Thurston, at twenty
eight, knew absolutely nothing OF business
nor had he studied any one branch suiii-
ciently TO qualify himself for teacher lie
had tried faithfully to find some employ
ment, spending what little remained of his
fortune with the lavish hand that had not
yet learned economy.
Society welcomed him home after two
years of wandering. Anabel Barclay kept
open house for her friends, aud Raymond
was favorite in her circle. Her husband
many years older than herself, had long age
retired from business with large income
and while he gave Raymond cordial wei
come, had no opportunity TO aid IN finding
occupation.
And Bertha laines, the friend from whom
RAYMOND parted two years before, in thi'
renewed intercourse became to him mort
than ever was friend before. They had moi
thought of love in the days when the CIR
was a debutante in society, and Raymond
one of its favorite beaux; but when they
met after the long parting, some new emo
ton stirred both hearts. They did not know
what made the hours pass so quickly wheI
they were together, nor recognize the subtle
charm that dwelt for each in the other
presence, for many a week.
Raymond was the first to awaken to tn
knowledge that love was the charm tina
bound him to Berthas side, whenever sh
was present; that il was love that made he
eyes-the dark sparkling eyes-so beautiful
in their expression that love tuned he
voice so musically that love had made he
the dearest OF all women In his eyes
Amabe was delighted. Bertha was on
of her own fast friends, and Bertha's fathe
was merchant of standing and influence
Aside from this the girl had inherited none
from her mother Altogether Amabel de
cided that the match would be charming
But hint 10 that effect met one OF Ray
mond's sternest frowns, such as had neye
visited his face In the old sunshiny days.
Never speak Of it again, Amabel," h
said :" | am no fortune-hunter, to live upo
the money of rich wife. III carve out IN
own way first"
But carving his own way proved tediou
work, till. desperate at his many failures, h
accepted position, offered in jost, Of drive
10 an express wagon.
al do understand horses" he said, il
cannot sell goods or keep books"
1t proved harder work, however, than il
the first flush Of his desperation he had in
agined. Not the mere work that he sool
! conquered but the sights, rudeness, AM
stares of his old friends. Some few recog
nized the true nobility that accepted homes
! labor rather than an easy dependence upol
wealthy connections, but these were lew.
A week passed, when one morning, dc
liyering some goods at one Of the mos
fashionable stores on Broadway, as he Wen
J out, Raymond saw Bertha llaines openin
, the door of her low carriage An iInpuls
made him start forward to hand her out
only to draw back, crimson with confusion
dropping the hand he was raising to lift hi
hat. The sweet, musical voice he love
spoke at once
Please, Mr.. Thurston, help INC with thi
obstinate door. IL will stick"
lie went forward, then, with all the eas
grace of manner that had ever marked hi
Intercourse with ladies. The little glove
hand was extended to meet his, as sh
thanked him.
at is too bad you are engaged" she saiC
81 should like to borrow your artist eye t
aid me in selecting dress for my receptio
on Thursday evening But you will com
and tell me how | succeeded alone, wi
YOU not ?"