Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1878-10-03
Ruth NeAaerS8n'S FriNc.

The speaker was stout, pleasant
looking young man, but his face was
Sunburnt, and his hands bore the un-
mistaSable marks of being used i'll
some handicraft. They were not rs
white, shapely rs Byron FortesQue's,
who had just commenced to prac-
tigs as a lawyer in the village, Per
haps Ruth Henderson thought of
this, as in u low, hesitating voice,
she answered: "Yes, james, l
must decline your Offer"
81 thought" the young man con-
tinued, sadly, 81 suppose I was pre-
sumptious, but l really thought,
Ruth, that you-that you cared for
me a little.'
81 do, James," said Ruth, and
their was traceOf agitation in her
voice
But not enough to marry me-"
lit is not that-at least not en-
tirely," said the girl hesic&hug,
"but you will be offended, perhaps,
if l tell you why L cannot accept
you"
mo, Ruth, will not be offend
ell"
Il do like you, James, but it is
your occupation l object to. l can
not marry a carpenter" D."
A flush arose on the young mans
face.
us it not . respectable business?"
he asked, hastily.
"Yes, James, but you cannot
give me that position in society
which desire. If now you were
merchant or professional man it
would &c different.
'If were either I might be less
honest or honorable than l am
now."
"You would occupy higher So
cial position"
And this is all important with
YOU, Ruth ? I can give an honest
heart and comfortable home, and l
may rise. Ii you love me, Ruth,
doa't LEI any silly pride stand be-
tween us. With you at my side, [
will work and win an honorable po-
,aiSi0n for both OF u.s."
s'I can never become q carpenters
wife" said Ruth, coldly.
IF such are your feeling" said
the young man, proudly, You are
not what l took you TO be. Fare
well Ruth. l wish you ever happi-
ness"
Goodbye, Mr.. Wilkins" said,
Ruth, coldly l re;iprocate your
good wisGes.n
A moment later and lie was gone,
and hide it as she might, Ruth's
heart confessed that be carried with
him more Of her love than she had
eyer granted to any other. But
pride was in the ascendant. She
could not make up her mind to mar
ry carpenter. This foolish notion
She had imbibed from the fdshi0na-
bic acQuain.aHce5 she had made at d
select boarding school where she had
spent a single quarter at the expense
OF an aunt whose liberality com
menced and endud with this outlay.
Her niece would have been better
of without it. She lad struck III
aD intimacy with several young Ia
dies from the city, the daughters of
wealthy merchants. and with them
she had learned to look down upon
those who were forced to rely upon
the labor OF their own hands for a
livelihood. This was the more un-
fortunate because her lot was cast in
small village, where her choice was
necessarily restricted.
Soon after her return from school
young nan named Byron For
tesque had established himself as a
lawyer in the village. lie was not
very literally supplied with brains,
but a large amount Of assumption
and self conceit, and the consequent.
ial AIRS which he saw fit to assume,
led some to think he was possessed
Of great ability. AS Rath was pref
ty and attractive, the young lawyer
paid Ter marked attention on sever
al public occasions, considerable to
the envy of many Of her own sex,
and the annoyance CT the village
baauX, who had hitherto shared in
her smile. OF al, however, none
had been so favored hitherto as
James Wilkins. Had he proposed
to Ruth before she went to boarding
school there Is but little doubt that
IA favorable answer would have been
retarned TO his suit. But Ruth had
become ambi ious. she looked high.
er. She felt that she should not be-
wiling to acquaiat her city frieHdS
vi h her approaching marriage to E
,,,aohania