The Washington times., 1938-01-13
.LOUeOrn AdUlce
Discussing the Matter
Of Engagement Rings
BY Beatrice Fairfax -

(copyriEh, 1898. by King Features Syndicate, Inca
TIM concerned lest the generous impulses
i of lovers in general-lest even the ex-
preston of love itself-be dampened by a
recent court decision in regard to the gift
of a costly ring.
1t took jury only an hour and half to
decide that 27-year-old Harry Scher, of
1850 South Street, Jamaica, L. l., had
never been engaged to Miss Shirley Rather,
a typist, aged 25, of 2001 Linden Boulevard,
Brooklyn. And that the four hundred and
fifty dollar diamond ring which he had given
her last February thirteenth was birthday
present, merely, which Miss Rather was at
liberty to keep.
UNWORTHY THOUGHT
Unhappy Mr. Scher already knew that he no
longer had any claim on the heart of the girl
for whom, only year ago, he must have felt
a pretty ardent devotion There had been
rupture, due to jealousy, misunderstanding or
intrigue on the part Of somebody else?
Anyway, Mr.. Scher thought he might salvage
the ring. The ring had cost a great deal Of
money, and the young man was merely an en-
ploye in his fathers carbonated water business.
And he knew that there are other lovely girls,
which his heart, however damagd for the time
being might sometime prompt him to approach.
1t would be handy to have the ring in his pocket.
He therefore appealed to the law. The law,
as we have seen, decided that the pretty typist
might continue to flash the jewel which, she
contended, had never been a pledge of love.
Just token of friendship, said Miss Rather.
WEIGH IT WELL
After this, youth on the point of putting
his savings into the purchase of an expensive
love-makng, may think twice.
I'VE love each other" he may reflect. But
after all, there's no formal engagement. SuppoSS
we quarrel. There was that case in Queens ..
I believe my girl won't get any diamond until
she marres me-"
Cautious, if you like, and possibly unromantic
But for a youth who can't afford to buy q
diamond ring but once, perhaps based on com
mon sense.
Or, if so much pressure is exerted on him that
he actually buys the ring, he may. with his own
protection in view. demand witnesses, binding
documents Heaven knows what. In other words
complete confidence between lovers will no longer
exist and alas, what decay in sentiment will
have set in!
1t seems to me natural to take somewhat
different view of this episode from that taken
by the Fourth District Municipal Court Of
Jamaica.
NOT PROBABLE
What this jury composed of four men and
two women) chose to overlook, is the extreme
unconventonality of the young womans be
havior if she accepted this type of birthday
present from a man to whom she declares she
was never engaged. Do such things happen?
With all respect to the Jamaica court, we know
that they don't.
Young people aren't formal nowadays. Prob
ably Mr.. Scher had never asked Miss Ratners
father for the bestowal of her "hand." Prob
ably her friends hadn't begun to give showers"
for her. But can't help having hunch that
when the young man bought that ring he be-
lieved he was laying the cornerstone of his domes,
tic happiness He believed he had dated up his
pretty friend for keeps and, in some way os
other, he believed he had had an assurance from
her that she considered herself so dated.
A millionaire may give his wife or daughter
such a birthday present as figures in this story.