Extravagant Living CHAPTER 13.
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About the time of Pinkerton's marriage — an advance from six hundred to one thousand dollars having taken place in Lofton's salary — our prudent young couple felt themselves warranted in doing what, from the first, they had desired to do — commence housekeeping. Near to the dwelling rented by Pinkerton, was another far less expensive rent. It contained two rooms on the first floor, two in the second story, and two attic rooms, besides a kitchen in the basement. There were no entries in the house, the street door opening into the parlor, and the stairs ascending from one corner of the room adjoining. The rent of the house was nine dollars a month. Furnished for the small sum of four hundred dollars — just the amount that Lofton had saved, and which was now spent with genuine pleasure — it presented nothing very elegant either as to the exterior or interior. Yet, the good taste displayed in the few articles of furniture purchased, gave so pleasant an air to the house, that few would have imagined the smallness of the outlay which produced so agreeable an effect, and gave to the new dwelling place of our young friends, an appearance so home-like and comfortable.
How marked a contrast did the two dwellings of Lofton and Pinkerton exhibit. The one furnished, mainly, with an eye to ostentation; the other attired in only the few things needful and comfortable, which were to be purchased for the moderate sum of four hundred dollars. And there was another important difference — a difference which told strongly in favor of the small house and meager stock of furniture. Every article of household use and comfort was paid for in Lofton's case — while in Pinkerton's case, everything was bought on credit. Nor can the fact be disguised, that in this difference lay the ground-work of much serene enjoyment on the one side — and disquiet on the other.
The house in which Lofton shut himself in from the common gaze — his home — how the word thrilled sweetly along every nerve even to his innermost spirit! Humble though it was — it met fully all his present desires, and in occupying it, he had no troubled questionings on the score of its cost, as compared to his means. And likewise with his neat, but scanty furniture. Every article was his own!
It was otherwise with Pinkerton. As much as he had tried to argue himself into the conviction that he was "making money," and therefore fully able to pay four hundred dollars rent — he had not been altogether successful. He knew that it was a piece of extravagance on his part, not to be justified on any plea. As to his furniture, the fact that the whole was purchased on credit, left no time whatever for self-approval: while the ever-present remembrance that at the end of a few rapidly fleeting months, over two thousand dollars, in addition to his current expenses, now considerably increased in amount — must be drawn from his business, produced at times absolute unhappiness. The beautiful apples he had grasped so eagerly — were already turning to ashes in his hands!
"What are these?" asked Lofton of his wife, on returning home one evening, a day or two after the marriage of Pinkerton. She had handed him a tasteful envelope, to which was attached a piece of white ribbon. It contained cards of the newly married couple.
"Indeed! This is a piece of condescension I had not expected," said the young man.
"Nor I," returned his wife.
"It means, I suppose, that they desire us to call?"
"Yes, that is the meaning."
"And yet, Ellen, I do not believe they wish to number us among their intimate friends. Indeed, I am sure that Mrs. Pinkerton does not. She belongs to one of the proudest families in the city — and yet how little have they on which to foster pride."
"Pride usually sustains itself on very meager nutriment you know," was the smiling answer.
"True enough. At home on Thursday — so the cards say. Shall we call?"
"Just as you wish, Archie. Mr. Pinkerton is your friend; if you desire intimate social relations with him, we must make them a bridal visit. They have indicated their wish to have us do so, by sending their cards. If the offer is a false one, we will soon know it; if sincere, their acquaintance may have its uses and pleasures. I am ready to do just as you desire."
"We will call, then," said Lofton. "For years, Mark and I have been on terms of friendly intimacy. I shall be well pleased to have that intimacy still continued; and if you and Mrs. Pinkerton can find in each other anything to inspire a mutual attachment, so much the better."
The next day being Thursday, when Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton were "at home," for their friends — a bridal call was made. It was a very formal matter; the lack of heart in Mrs. Pinkerton, being covered by a well-assumed exterior, and the utterance of fitly chosen words, that meant anything or nothing. She did not say to Mrs. Lofton, "I am happy to see you;" or "I am happy to make your acquaintance." No — "I had the pleasure of meeting you some few months ago," was entirely non-committal, and so was the charming smile with which the words were spoken. A few common things were uttered on the one side, and responded to on the other. Some cake was eaten and wine drank, and then Mr. and Mrs. Lofton retired, each with a certain pressure on the bosom that neither felt as at all agreeable, while the cause of it was hardly susceptible of explanation.
"Well, what do you think of it all?" said the former, on gaining their unambitious home, and seating themselves in their little parlor.
"They are commencing the world in a showy style, certainly," replied Mrs. Lofton.
"It's Pinkerton all over," said her husband, shaking his head. "I'm sorry for him."
"Why sorry?"
"He's only making trouble for himself. Though I know nothing of his personal affairs, yet I am just as sure as that we are sitting in this room — that the whole of that furniture is yet to be paid for."
"He would hardly be so foolish as that," replied Mrs. Lofton.
"He's foolish enough for anything, where show and appearance are concerned. I never knew a man so weak in this respect. He never has been, and never will be, satisfied to live in a style warranted by present resources. Were he a lord, he would emulate the style of a duke; if a duke, nothing below the establishment of a prince would suit him. He has many good qualities; but his defect of character must ruin everything in the end. The result is inevitable."
"Do you think Mrs. Pinkerton will return our call?" asked Ellen.
"I have my doubts. We are not the kind of people whose society she would enjoy. Neither is our style of living up to the mark she regards as respectable. But we will see."
A few days after Pinkerton's marriage and showy advent into the social world, the firm of which he was a member, received advice of the failure to take up a note by a country merchant who owed them three thousand dollars. Here was a damper to the young man's business enthusiasm. If doubts had already visited him as to the prudence of his course in buying costly furniture on credit — and he had not escaped such troublesome visitors — these doubts were now increased to convictions.
"But," said he, rousing himself from a train of rather gloomy reflections, which had intruded themselves, "what's done can't be helped, and it's folly to sit down and cry over it. I've bought the furniture, and it must be paid for. That burden disposed of, everything will go on smoothly enough afterwards. It won't be just the thing for me to draw so much money out of the business; but, no doubt, I can borrow a part of it when the notes come due, and so throw the heaviest portion some months still in advance."
Time wore on. The country merchant had actually failed, and the loss was total — three thousand dollars. The man was a rogue, and had made away with everything. Mr. Ackland was very nervous about the matter, and said a number of things that were not altogether pleasant to the ears of Pinkerton, who, in view of the immediate maturity of hispersonal obligations — felt particularly uncomfortable.
"What are these?" asked Mr. Ackland, one morning, holding in his hand three or four bank notices, each bearing the name of Mark Pinkerton. His brow was slightly contracted, and on his face was a rather troubled expression.
Pinkerton glanced over the notices, and then replied, in a careless way —
"Oh — they have nothing to do with the business. I'll take care of them. They were given in settlement of my furniture bills."
Mr. Ackland made no reply. But he was far from feeling satisfied. Shortly afterwards, he had the ledger open at Pinkerton's account, and, pencil in hand, was adding it up. With a grave face and a shake of the head, he closed the book, muttering —
"Eleven hundred dollars in six months! This will never do for me — never!"
A week from that time, one of these notes, for the sum of five hundred dollars, became due, and on a day when the firm had over four thousand dollars in payments to meet. It was quite as much as the business could do, to bear its own burdens. So Mr. Pinkerton did not think it wise, especially as he was beginning to understand something of his partner's feelings on the subject of his heavy personal expenses, to let the firm provide for his obligations. But, outside of the business, he had no resources.
What, then, was to be done? His first effort to raise the sum required, was after this way. He drew a note at four months, for five hundred dollars, payable to his own order, and took it to a certain note-broker. The broker looked at the note, turned it over and over, two or three times, and then shook his head.
"Can't you get the money for me?" asked Pinkerton.
"I'm afraid not."
"Why?"
"How can you ask the question? It isn't strong enough."
"I guess I'm perfectly good," said Pinkerton, with some dignity of manner.
"No doubt of that, sir — none in the world," Answered the broker. "But we can't convince any man who has money, that it is safe to lend it on the security of a single name — the more particularly when the paper is not legitimate."
"Not legitimate! What do you — "
"Oh, I mean not business paper — that's all. Of course, this is a mere hand-made note — not based on any commercial transaction; and such notes, to be taken at all, must be half covered with the best of names."
"You can't get the money for me?"
"I'm afraid not."
Pinkerton looked disappointed and perplexed. "I'll tell you what I think can be done," said the broker.
"What?" The countenance of Pinkerton brightened.
"Bring me a note from Pinkerton & Ackland, drawn in your favor, if you choose, and there will be no difficulty."
"That can be done, do you think?"
"Oh yes — no doubt of it. The firm is regarded as one of the most substantial in the city. There'll be no difficulty with their note."
Pinkerton departed. He did not like this proposition. To create an obligation for the firm, out of the business and for his own use, and this secretly — was too clearly wrong to be thought of. But what was he to do? From what source was money to be obtained? Another broker was tried — but the individual note, unendorsed, would not be accepted. The young Pinkerton now began to feel much worried in mind, and much less confident concerning the potency of his name in financial circles.
The extremity became pressing. Although Pinkerton could not think of signing the name of the firm to a note of his own creating, after much debate with himself, he resolved to draw a note in favor of Pinkerton & Ackland, and endorse it with the signature of the firm. This, although it did not materially change the moral character of the transaction, was felt to be a safer proceeding, as he could pay the note when it became due, and thus conceal from his partner, all about the endorsement. A note was accordingly made, signed, and duly endorsed. This he took to the broker upon whom he had first called. He examined the note, and again shook his head.
"What's the matter? Won't that do?" asked Pinkerton.
"It may do, but — "
"But what?"
"It isn't in the right shape. It should have been signed Pinkerton & Ackland."
"The security is just as good. The firm is as much bound in one case, as in the other."
"I know. Still we always like the drawer's name to be strongest."
"It will be lifted just the same."
"I don't in the least doubt that, my young friend; and if I were going to discount the note myself, would not hesitate a moment. But I deal with a shrewd, cautious, worldly-wise class of men, who, when they lend their money, refuse paper unless braced up by the strongest security. Do you need this money today?"
"Yes."
"Very well. I'll try for you. But you mustn't, be disappointed, should I fail."
"How soon may I call back?"
"In an hour."
"Very well. I will be here in an hour."
"If you must have the money today," said the broker, detaining him, "it is hardly wise to lose time. On a firm note, the discount is sure. The offering of this may have a bad effect. Had you not better draw a new note?"
Pinkerton lingered and hesitated.
"Here are blanks," urged the broker, who wished to make his commission with as little trouble as possible, and who knew where Pinkerton & Ackland's note would be taken. "I understand the transaction entirely. You wish a little money for your private use — and don't want to draw it out of the business."
"That's just it," said Pinkerton, in a half confidential tone of voice. "You know that I have recently married, and a wife always brings some extra expenses."
"Exactly." The tempter smiled and nodded. "I understand it all. Here's a blank note. Draw to your own order, and sign it Pinkerton & Ackland, and it shall be cashed for you in half an hour."
Thus urged, the young man yielded. He drew, signed, and endorsed the note, as proposed, and then went back to his store, feeling by no means comfortable, the more particularly as fifteen hundred dollars more would have to be raised in the next two or three weeks.
In due time, Pinkerton received from the broker the net sum of four hundred and seventy dollars; thirty dollars having been abstracted from the five hundred to cover discount and broker's commission.
In order to lift the remaining notes given for furniture, Pinkerton, who did not deem it wise or prudent to draw even a portion of what was needed from the business, resorted to a like expedient. Notes of the firm were created and discounted. He was over the difficulty for at least four months to come, and hushed for a time, all troubled questions as to the future, by saying, "Let the morrow worry for itself; sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
As the time for the maturity of these notes drew nearer and nearer, our imprudent young friend began to feel uneasy. The transaction was not to be justified on any plea whatever. It was in direct violation of common principles of right involved, though not expressed in the provisions of that co-partnership under which he was doing business. The fact that he had used the name of the firm in order to obtain money for his private use, should it become known to Mr. Ackland, would not only destroy that gentleman's confidence in him, but might lead to a dissolution. And a dissolution, with such a reason assigned, would ruin his prospects for life.
It had never been his intention, from the first, that his partner should know anything about these notes. How this was to be prevented had not been clearly seen when they were given; but he had flattered himself that no trouble need arise on this account. As the time for their payment drew near, his mind dwelt almost constantly on this perplexing subject. It seemed but a little matter to prevent the bank notices from coming under the eyes of Mr. Ackland — and only this was needed to make all safe. But so many contingencies were in the case, that it was scarcely possible for four notices to be left at the store, and each one of them escape observation. If Pinkerton had deemed it prudent to take one or more of their clerks into his confidence; or to have ascertained in what banks the notes were to be deposited for collection, and then had an understanding with the runners thereof, as to the delivery of the notices — the affair might have been managed very well. But this was a dangerous kind of business, and might put him into the power of men not to be trusted.
So time went on, until the first day of the month in which these notes came due. Very hard had Pinkerton tried, during the previous week, to induce his partner to go to New York on business. Some very desirable goods were to be sold at auction on the second, third, and fourth of the month; but Mr. Ackland could not be induced to leave his place at the desk, where, he steadily affirmed, he was of far more use than in buying goods — a department in the business with which he was not familiar.
It was Pinkerton's place to attend these sales, at which were many new styles of goods just coming into market. But he dared not leave home. Were the existence of these notes, amounting to over two thousand dollars, to be discovered during his absence, there was no telling how disastrous the consequences might be. Failing to induce Ackland to go, he plead severe indisposition, and despatched a clerk to attend the sale in New York, whose purchases were far from being as judicious, as his would have been.
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