Smyrna times., 1878-07-17
Ruth Henderson's Pride.

"And this is your answer, Ruth ?" said
James wilkins, sorrowfully. The speaker
was a stout, pleasant looking young man,
but his face was sunburnt and his hands
bore the unmistakable marks of being
used in some handicraft. They were not
as white and shapely as Byron Fortescue's,
who had just commenced practice as a
lawyer in the village. Perhaps Ruth
thought Of this, as in low voice she
answered
"Yes, James, must decline your offer"
81 thought" the young man continued,
sadly, " l suppose l was prcsumtuous, but
really thought, Ruth, that you-that you
cared for me little"
"I do, James," said Ruth, and there was
trace of agitation in her voice.
"But not enough to marry me?
| 'It is not that-at least not entirely"
said the girl hesitating, "but you will be
offended, perhaps, if | tell you why can
not accept you"
"No, Ruth, will not be offended"
81 do like you, James, but it is your oc-
cupation | object to, | cannot marry a
carpenter"
4 flush arose on the young mans face.
! "Is it not respectable business?" he
asked.
Yes, James, but you cannot give me
that position in society which desire. If
now you were a merchant or a professional
man, it would be different"
"If l were either, might be less honest
and honorable than | am now."
"You would occupy higher social posi-
ton"
"And is that all important with you
Ruth? | can give you an honest heart and
comfortable home, and l may rise. II
you love me, Ruth, don't let any silly
pride stand between US. With you at my
side, | will work, and win an honorable
, position for both of U.s." said James.
81 can never become carpenters wife,
said she colby.
"If such are your feelings" said the
young man proudly, ''you are not what
took you to be. Farewell, Ruth, l wisf
you every happiness"
"Good bye, Mr.. Wilkins" said Ruth
coldly, " l reciprocate your good wishes"
A moment later and he was gone, anC
hide it as she might, Ruth's heart confessed
that he carried with him more of her low,
than she had ever granted to any other
But pride was in the ascendant. She coulC
not make up her mind to marry a carpen
ter. This foolish notion she had imbibeC
from the fashionable acquaintances whicl
she had made at a select boarding school
where she spent a single quarter at the eS
pense of an aunt whose liberality com
menced and ended with this outlay. He
neice would have been better off withou
, it. She had struck up an intimacy witt
several young ladies from the city, tn
daughters of wealthy merchants, and wit
them she had learned to look down upol
those who were forced to rely upon tn
labor of their own hands for livelihood
This was the more unfortunate because he
I lot was cast in a small village where he
!, choice was necessarily restricted.
Soon after her return from school q youn
man named Byron Fortescue had establish
ed himself as lawyer in the village. Ii
was not very literally supplied with brains
% but had large amount of assumption an
e selfconceit, and the consequential all
5, which he saw fit to assume led some
!. . think that he was possessed of great abilit.
L. AS Ruth was really pretty and attractiv
the Young lawyer paid her marked attel
ton on several public occasions, conside
bly to the envy of many of her own Sc.
- and the annoyance of village beaux, WI
had hitherto shared in her smiles. Of a.
however, none had been so favored
James Wilkins. Had he proposed to Rui
before she went to boarding school there
little doubt that favorable answer wou
have been returned to his suit. But Ru
had become ambitious. She felt that 81
should not be willing to acquaint her CT
friends with her approaching marriage to
mechanic.
+. The attention of Byron FOrtescue gra
fed her vanity, though he had not q
slightest share in her heart. Indeed
was so much attached to himself that it
: doubtful whether he was likely to inspi
9 love in any one else. Why then did
Z paw court to Ruth 2 Mainly because s
. was the village belle, and it gratified
vanity to bear off the subject of genel
contention. Again she had expectatio
go from her aunt and might inherit &C
x. siderable share OF the tfty thousand DOLL
"a which the penurious old lady possess'