Extravagant Living CHAPTER 15.
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Mr. and Mrs. Lofton were not in error as to the feelings and views of Mrs. Pinkerton. She never returned the call. Lofton felt this more than did his wife. Indeed, so far as the latter was concerned, the omission was a source of relief — rather than regret. She knew enough of the family to which Mrs. Pinkerton belonged, to be satisfied that a congenial fellowship was impossible. This impression, a close observation, made during two brief interviews, entirely confirmed. Lofton and Pinkerton met, as friends, whenever thrown together; but between their families, no fellowship whatever existed.
Marriage had opened for them, diverse paths. Humble, unobtrusive, scarcely observed, yet steadily progressive — was the path along which one was moving. While that of the other mounted rapidly upwards, winding among dizzy and dangerous places, and attracting observation from the curious, the envious, and the ill-natured. There was firm footingfor the one; while ever and always, the other felt the ground to be slippery and uncertain.
Cool, discriminating, cautious and observant as was Archibald Lofton, and well satisfied that the foundation of his friend's business prosperity was not well laid, he could not, at times, repress an uncomfortable feeling on contrasting their respective positions in life — Pinkerton at the head of a large and rapidly growing business, and he but a humble clerk, with no prospect beyond, yet opening its attractive vistas for his eyes.
"This is a strange world," he remarked one evening to his young wife, with something of disappointment in his voice. He had seemed to her more thoughtful than usual since returning at the close of the day, and less interested in their sweet babe, which had come a few months before, to add new gleams of sunlight to their humble home.
Mrs. Lofton looked at her husband for a few moments, and then replied —
"The ways of Providence are often strange to us; but, we know that wise designs are involved in every event, and that a beautiful harmony is often wrought out of things strangely involved, and darkly mysterious."
"A general truth, to which we may all assent with the understanding. And yet when the darkness lies upon our own pathway, we cannot help feeling anxious in regard to what is beyond."
"Do you really feel anxious? Are you in doubt?" said the now serious wife, laying her soft hand on the slightly clouded brow of her husband. She had not at first detected the direct bearing of his words.
"I ought not to feel anxious. I ought not to be in doubt, Ellen," replied Lofton, forcing a smile, "and yet, some things occasionally produce uncomfortable states of mind."
"What things, Archie?" A shadow stole over the young wife's face.
"I believe that I possess equal business capacity with Mark Pinkerton; and a lot more prudence. And yet capital seeks him out — while I am passed by, and left to plod along through life, as a simple clerk."
"I don't like to hear you talk so, Archie, dear," said Mrs. Lofton, tenderly. "Has not your salary been raised, and have we not everything comfortable, and something to spare? Oh, don't murmur at Divine Providence, Archie — don't let that bane of all happiness — discontent with the present lot — come in to cloud the sunshine of our happy life."
"I am not discontented, Ellen," replied Lofton, rallying himself. "Oh no — don't misconceive my state of mind. But, sometimes, we can't help thinking that events come out strangely. Now, let me tell you about something. There's been a dissolution of co-partnership between Pinkerton and Ackland."
"There has! For what reason?"
"That is not clearly understood. There is something kept back from the public. Evidently, a misunderstanding has arisen, ending in this separation. A low whisper, meant to be strictly confidential, came to my ears today, charging Pinkerton with having used the name of the firm for his own private ends. But I will not credit this, nor repeat it. As reckless as he is, and as full of temptation, as the path he is treading may be — I will not believe him so lacking in worldly wisdom, as to venture so soon upon an expedient of this kind."
"Worldly wisdom, Archie," said Mrs. Lofton "And is that all he possesses to restrain him from dishonorable actions?"
"I would fear for him in strong temptations," was thoughtfully replied. "And after all, there may be truth in the report; though another that I heard, seems most likely to involve the true reason."
"What was that?'"
"Ackland is said to have been dissatisfied in consequence of the large sums of money which Pinkerton drew out for his personal expenses."
"I would not wonder if in that, lay the cause of the dissolution," said Mrs. Lofton. "How weak — how very foolish! And so, in the effort to be fashionable, and to make a showy appearance — he has so soon marred all his prospects in life."
"Not marred them, by any means, Ellen," replied her husband. "But, to all appearance, greatly advanced his worldly interests. And this is why I said, in the beginning, that it was a strange world."
"Advanced his worldly interests!"
"Yes. His dissolution with Ackland leads but to the formation of a new co-partnership, and under far better auspices."
"That is singular. Who is the new partner?"
"Carlton Lee, who brings into the business, a capital of forty thousand dollars, and credit to almost any extent. The firm is now Pinkerton and Lee; and I heard a very shrewd merchant say this afternoon, that he wouldn't be surprised if they were worth half a million dollars in ten years."
It was but too plain, from the tone and manner of Lofton, that he derived no pleasure from contemplating what seemed the opening good fortune for his old friend. It contrasted too strongly with his own humble condition.
"Do you remember what Queen Margaret in the play, said?" asked Mrs. Lofton, fixing her eyes intently on the face of her husband.
"No."
"Those who stand too high, may chance to fall; and if they fall, they dash themselves to pieces — or something of this import. Archie, I would rather have you remain a humble clerk, than occupy the place of Pinkerton."
"So would I, if I must occupy it as he does. But, I would stand far more securely than he stands. I would not be ever in danger of stumbling from looking at the stars above my head."
"I would rather have you remain as you are, than be the partner of Carlton Lee, with all his credit and capital," said Mrs. Lofton, firmly.
"He is not a man whom I admire, certainly," was the reply of Lofton.
"We believe him to be lacking in virtuous principles."
"True."
"And would you, Archie, for the prospect of mere wordily advantages, enter into close business relations with such a person? O, no, I am sure you would not. This seeming good fortune on the part of Mr. Pinkerton has, temporarily, disturbed the even balance of your mind. Turn your thoughts away. Let us be content with our own lot, believing, that He who arranges things external, knows what is best for us. Let us be patient — if good fortune is in store for us, it will come in its own time; but, we must never forget thatthankfulness for present blessings, and an earnest enjoyment of them — is the only true preparation for the enjoyment of good things in the future. Who do you think ishappiest now, you or Mr. Pinkerton, elated as he must be with his good fortune?"
A little while the young man sat musing. The earnest, truthful words of his wife, were doing their appropriate office in his mind, which had only been temporarily unbalanced.
"I am happiest," he at length said, and with an emphasis that indicated some vivid perception of real differences in their relations, and sources of true enjoyment.
"No, no, Ellen! I would not exchange with him, on any consideration."
"Nor would I exchange with Mrs. Pinkerton," calmly responded his wife. Then she added, almost in the same breadth, "Lucy Arden came to see me today."
"Did she, indeed?" The fact seemed to give Lofton especial pleasure.
"Yes. She called in and sat for an hour. In fact, took off her bonnet and shawl, and made herself quite at home. She seemed so pleased with dear little Eddy, and nursed him nearly all the time. Her mother gives a large party next week."
"Oh?"
"And what's more, we're to be invited."
"Really?"
"It's true; and Lucy says that we must come."
"A mere compliment; for which, no doubt, we ought to feel very much obliged," said Lofton, a little sarcastically. "We can send our regrets."
"No, Archie," said his wife, firmly. "The invitation when it comes will, I am sure, be in good faith. Mrs. Arden is too true a woman to offer the hospitalities of her house, without a wish to extend them. Can you not say as much for Mr. Arden?"
"O, yes. He has ever treated me with kindness and respectful consideration. To Mrs. Arden, I am a stranger."
"Though I am not. When you do meet her, you will feel that you have met a true woman. She always asks after you with an interest that cannot be mistaken. O yes — we will go!"
Mr. Arden was one of the partners in the house that employed Lofton as clerk; the same person who had shown so kind an interest in the young man, and through whose generous appreciation of his needs and ability, he had received an advance of salary. Before her marriage, Mrs. Lofton had worked as dressmaker for Mrs. Arden and her family, all of whom were much attached to her.
<p align="justify">Lucy was the oldest daughter; a beautiful, highly-educated, and highly-accomplished girl, now in her twentieth year. Since the marriage of Mrs. Lofton, the family continued to show her many kindnesses; and Lucy not only called to see her frequently, but often insisted on her coming around and spending an afternoon with the family, on which occasions she was treated by all, with an affectionate interest which was grateful to her feelings.
This new evidence of good-will and high appreciation of character, both in Mrs. Lofton and her husband, was the more gratifying, because altogether unexpected. As lightly as the invitation was at first treated by Lofton, the more he thought of it, the deeper was the sense of pleasure experienced. It was an evidence that, at least in one influential quarter, he was not regarded as altogether unworthy of association, because poor. It gave him hope too; for, he saw that this introduction into society by Mr. Arden, was a public endorsement of his character, always of great value to a young man who has nothing but his ability and good character, on which to build his worldly prosperity.
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