Rising in the world : $b A tale for the rich and poorArthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay)
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Rising in the world : $b A tale for the rich and poor
Arthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay)
Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction
When Ella Hudson went home that afternoon, after having given the
various lessons required of her for the day, she had some different
thoughts in regard to what she ought to do, than had before obtained
a place in her mind. It occurred to her, that the position in which
she now stood to Dr. Baldwin, made it incumbent upon her to have
some regard to his feelings, as well as to the prejudices of his
family, with whom she was soon to come into intimate relationship,
and with whom she could not but desire to be united in affection. The
prejudice existing in certain grades of society against all females
who are engaged in useful employments, she well knew; and as this
was a prejudice arising from a false education, and as she was to be
introduced by marriage among those with whom this prejudice existed,
she rightly concluded, after looking at the subject in this light, that
it was best for her, as no real necessity existed for her continuing
her duties as a music teacher, to give them up at once. For Doctor
Baldwin to meet her, as he had done that morning, could not, she felt,
but be unpleasant to him. And for his sister to meet her in the same
way, could not fail to strengthen, rather than remove, prejudices in
regard to her.
Perhaps, for the first time in her life, Ella saw that the prejudices
of others are, under certain circumstances, to be regarded, and that
expediency is not always a departure from right.
When her lover called upon her that evening, he said—
"I mentioned you to my sister to-day. She was with me at Miss Elbert's."
Ella looked at him without replying.
"As I expected, she was greatly astonished. The idea of my marrying a
music teacher, seemed at first dreadful to her. But I made some little
impression on her false ideas, though not as much as I could wish. If
she could only once meet you and know you, all would be right. But the
force of prejudice is very strong at present. Do you not think that it
would be right for you to make some effort, even some sacrifice, to
remove this prejudice?"
"I do, certainly."
"Your present calling is one that you must soon lay aside; and,
besides, there exists no necessity for your following it. Occurrences
like that of to-day are likely to happen frequently, and will hinder
what I so much desire—the affectionate reception of you by my family.
My mother and sister have true hearts, and when they know you will love
you tenderly. But they have prejudices, the result of education, which
stand in the way of their knowing you. Now, ought you not, who see so
clearly, to respect their prejudices, and do what you can to remove
them?"
"Without doubt. I have already been reflecting on the subject, and have
come to the determination to give up all my scholars immediately."
"You have?"
"Yes. In justice to you and to your family, I think this ought to be
done."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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