Smyrna times., 1878-12-04
Put Yourself in Her Place.
BY MARY LYMAN.

George, have you few moments of
time to spare? l wish to speak with you."
"Gladly, aunt Hettie, even if l knew
sound scolding awaited me-"
g hope you will not consider it in the
light Of a scolding, but l wish to ask you
a question. Did understand you to say
last evening, you were not engaged to
Hattie Boon?'
"Yes, aunt, that was what l said"
" Dear George, do you consider it quite
honorable in you to pay such exclusive at
tentions to Hattie as you do, if you have
no intention of marrying her?"
go, Hattie understands me, l guess; |
have often said i'll her presence that never
intended to marry,-that mine was to be a
life of single blessedness. | like Hattie's
society, but as to marrying her, | have
never given it q serious thought. If she
does not wish my company she has but to
say so, and | promise not to intrude my
self"
"Dear George, please take kindly what
l say. How would you like any young man
to do by your sister as you are doing by
Hattiel Please think Of that question and
answer it to yourself. Hattie is some years
younger than you are, and you are enjoy
ing yourself (if it may be) at her expense.
And then, by your constant attentions,
other young men avoid her society, think
ing you have a better claim. God has
planted in every true woman's heart a de-
sire to be the wife of some good and true
man, Hattie is a noble girl, and if you are
not intending to make her. your wife, you
have no right to pay such exclusive atten-
tiOns. To enable you to understand more
fully my ideas on this subject, allow me to
illustrate by a sketch or two from the life
history of some who came under my obser-
vation:
"When Norman Howell was about
twenty-five years of age he met Belle,
Kingwell. To say Belle was handsome
would be saying only the truth; that she
was also heatless would be equally true.
The only ambition she had was to win ad:
mirers. When she met Norman she spared
no pains to win him to her list soon her
old admirers were cast, and so long did she
remain true to Norman that many said
Bellies heart is touched at last But alas
for Norman's hearts happiness Claude Har
rison, rich widower met Belle, and pool
Norman was cast aside with the rest and il
few months Belle became Mrs. Harrison
From a cheerful young man, Norman be
came very sedate and sober, and in a shor
time years were added to his looks and ap
pearancP. He avoided all society, devoted
himself to his profession (which was law.
His success became such that wider fieldwa
opened to him, and he left Chester for tn
county-seat, Mapleton. When he frs
came to Mapleton he avoided Society, but b.
degrees he began to mingle in company.
E" Here he met Mary Ray. Her feature
were plain, but her heart was filled wit
y kindness which gave to her face a hanC
some expression. Norman Howell was a.
tracted by her gentleness, and in her 81
ciety, he felt as he expressed it, rested an
such being the case, no wonder he sough
her society. He made a confdant {
Mary, told her of the love he had for Bell,
that he should never marry, as he nevt
o should love another as he had and sti
loved her whom he had failed to win. II
also told her he found great comfort in ht
society and would like to be one of her e
pecial friends. OF course Marys. symp
thetic nature could not refuse such a pie
and soon warm friendship was establishe
In time he became her constant attendai
at parties, lectures, &c. Many thougI
they were engaged, notwithstanding the
}. both denied it and said, we are on
friends, not lovers"
est Matters had been at this stage about
year when a young man, DR.. Berry, can
to Mapleton to practice. He also W
!. greatly pleased with Mary, but as she W
always accompanied by Mr.. Howell he su
eS' posed they were engaged. He had been
Mapleton six months or more when
heard some one remark something respe
ing Mr.. Howell and Miss Ray. Great W
- his surprise to hear the reply-'O they a
s not ed,-they are only friend
Howell says 'he is never going to marry
o "Never going to marry u said the d.
tor to himself; what right then has he
monopolze her all the time and give
one else chance?"
"The next evening there was to b.
> noted lecturer in town. He felt much
clined to ask Miss Ray to accompany h
> on that evening. After thinking it ov
pro and con, he concluded to invite h
Mary was taken by surprise, and at Fl
showed some embarrassment, but afte
moments hesitation she accepted his
yitation. The fact was, Mary was becom
\ very much attached to Mr.. Howell
had given the subject much thought, a
came to the conclusion, as they were never
marry, it were better for them both not
be so much in each others society, but h
to let Mr.: Howell know her conclusion
2Stf what troubled her.
-- $50 accustomed had Mr.. Howell beco
to being her sole attendant he did
+, think to previously engage her compal
IS of he was in the habit of presenting him
o,o,u on those evenings when there was anyth
g ;nka ond if MQPU 7