Extravagant Living CHAPTER 18.
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It was the morning after the party at Mr. Arden's. Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton were standing in one of their parlors, and the latter was speaking in a very animated tone of voice. Mr. Pinkerton, who was dressed to go out, was drawing on his gloves.
"It's a mean, shabby-looking affair," said Mrs. Pinkerton, with indignant warmth, "and spoils the effect of every other piece of furniture in the rooms. I never noticed it so particularly — until I saw the Arden's sofa, last evening."
"Theirs is, certainly, very beautiful," replied the husband.
"Oh, it's elegant! Such rich carving; and then the style is so new."
"It couldn't have cost less than a hundred and fifty dollars," said Pinkerton.
"I don't know, I'm sure. But, I'll tell you what I do know."
"Well?"
"A piece of furniture like that, is cheap at almost any price."
"How so?"
"It furnishes of itself."
"Oh?"
"Yes — it gives an air of elegance to everything in a room."
"There's something in that," remarked the young man, falling in with his wife's humor, and seeing the matter very much in the light which she wished him to view it.
"I want just such a sofa," was the next declaration.
"You do!" There was real or affected surprise in the voice of Pinkerton.
"Yes, I do!" was the firm answer.
"Suppose I were to say that I could not afford it?"
"Well, suppose you were?"
"I want you to answer the question, Flora."
"Can't afford it! That is a very convenient excuse among gentlemen, when they don't wish to gratify their wives. I've heard it at home ever since I can remember, and am free to say that I perceive little force in the objection. So, don't think to fall back on that pretense with me."
This was said half-lightly, yet with sufficient seriousness to make it apparent that the young wife was fully in earnest.
"Then, as I understand it," said Pinkerton, good-naturedly, "you are bent on having a new sofa?"
"O no — I'm bent on no such thing, unless you are entirely willing, Mark. I think we ought to replace this old-fashioned affair, which really disgraces our parlors, with something respectable. I wonder that we ever could have selected so poor a pattern. What did it cost?"
"Seventy dollars," replied the husband.
"Good enough for the price, I suppose; but it is a poor affair compared to Mrs. Arden's."
"Who made theirs?"
"Hess & Austin — so Lucy Arden told me."
"Well, suppose you go there and order one of the same pattern."
"If you think you can afford it," said Mrs. Pinkerton, making a faint show of prudence. "I wouldn't like to do anything which might be deemed extravagant."
"I ought to be able to afford the additional expense of one hundred and fifty dollars," replied her husband, a little proudly. "The sum is not so very heavy. O yes — go and order the sofa. I agree with you, that the one we now have disgraces the parlor. The sooner it is banished to the dining-room, or to one of the chambers — the better."
Mr. Pinkerton went to his store, and, during the morning, his wife called at Hess & Austin's, and ordered a new sofa, precisely like Mrs. Arden's.
On the same day, Mr. Ackland called at the store in which Archibald Lofton was employed as clerk, and held a long conversation with Mr. Arden. At its close, Mr. Arden sent for Lofton, and formally introduced him to Ackland.
"What are your views in regard to the future?" was inquired of Lofton, after a few general remarks on both sides.
"In what respect?" asked the young man.
"Concerning business. Have you any settled plans?"
"None sufficiently definite to be of any value," said Lofton.
"Do you expect to go into business for yourself?" inquired Ackland.
"I certainly look to that in the future."
"Do you feel confidence in your present ability to conduct a business?"
"We are all apt to have a good opinion of ourselves," replied Lofton, smiling. "Too good an opinion, often. I am not over-modest, I believe, in this respect."
"Confidence in our own ability," remarked Mr. Arden, "is an element of success."
"And a very essential element," said Mr. Ackland.
"True; but unless that confidence is well-based, it is rather a dangerous quality. It has, perhaps, led to as many business disasters — as any other cause."
"Always excepting one, Mr. Lofton," said Ackland, with some feeling.
"What is that?"
"Extravagant personal expenditure."
"You may be right there. This living beyond the present means is a serious defect," said Lofton. "It is one, however, into which I believe I will never fall. I began life, resolved tospend less than my income — no matter how small that might be. Thus far, I have kept to my good resolution, and do not think I can be tempted to abandon it in the future."
"I am glad to hear you speak thus, Mr. Lofton. Indeed, I had already gathered as much from Mr. Arden." Then, after a slight pause, Ackland continued —
"You are aware that a recent dissolution of co-partnership took place between myself and Mr. Pinkerton?"
Lofton bowed, and the other went on —
"Of the causes which led to this dissolution, I need not speak. Enough, for the present, that I wished it to take place. I am now out of business, yet desirous of beginning again. I have a capital of over fifteen thousand dollars to invest, and this, you know, will give liberal credit facilities. In a word, I have been led to believe that you possess the qualities andqualifications I seek in a business partner. Are you open to a proposition?"
"I am," was the unhesitating answer. "Very well. So far we understand each other. At an early day, I would like to have an interview, for the purpose of talking this matter over a little more particularly. When and where shall we meet?"
"I am at leisure every evening," said Lofton.
"Where do you live?"
The address of his house was given by Lofton.
"Will you be at home tonight?"
"Yes."
"Very well. If agreeable, I will call around about eight o'clock."
"I shall be very happy to see you," replied Lofton.
"And, by the way," said Mr. Ackland, speaking with animation, "I had the pleasure of half-an-hour's conversation with Mrs. Lofton last evening, at Mr. Arden's. Give her my compliments, if you please, and say that I trust soon to have a better acquaintance."
"You will find us living in a humble way," remarked Lofton, touched for an instant with a slight feeling of mortification, as there came to his mind a vivid contrast between the elegant residence of Mr. Arden, at which Mr. Ackland had met his wife — and his own poor abode. The feeling, however, was but momentary. It passed away, as Mr. Ackland said —
"I would hardly expect to find you in a palace if, as you say, you are living at a range of expenditure below your income. One thing, however, I do expect to find — a cheerful, happy home."
"That chief of all earthly blessings, I do possess," was the proud, yet feeling answer.
The interview here closed. Lofton returned to his duties in the store, and Mr. Ackland retired, much pleased with the individual to whom he had proposed a business connection.
Never had the hours seemed to pass so slowly to our young friend, as they did from the time Ackland left the store, until the period arrived when he could return home and tell Ellen of his promised good fortune. He did not break the matter to her suddenly — but she saw, from his manner, that something unusual was on his mind.
While at the tea-table, he remarked, after sitting silent for some moments —
"I said a few evenings ago, Ellen, that this was a strange world, did I not?"
"Yes — and I have wondered many times since, at the state of mind you then were in. You did not seem like yourself. The demon of distrust had entered your heart."
"It is a strange world, Ellen," said the young man, fixing his eyes intently on her face, while a new light shone in his countenance. "What if I were to tell you that Mr. Ackland is going to call here this evening."
"Mr. Ackland! Are you in earnest, Archie?" Mrs. Lofton did look surprised.
"I am, dear. He is coming to see me this very evening, and to talk about business."
"What about business, Archie?" A sudden undefined hope was flushing the young wife's face, and making humid her eyes.
"About commencing business again with your husband as his partner."
"Oh, Archie! Are you really in earnest?" exclaimed Mrs. Lofton, clasping her hands together.
"Indeed, I am, dear Ellen. He came to our store today, and had a long talk with Mr. Arden. Then I was called into the counting-room and introduced to him; and then, after a good deal of talk, he said that he was in search of a business partner, and wished to know if I was open for a proposition. I said that I was. He wanted an early interview on the subject; and finally said that, if agreeable, he would call in to see me this evening."
"Oh, Archie! I am so glad, for your sake!" Tears were already glistening on the cheeks of Mrs. Lofton.
"And I'll tell you something more that he said."
"What was it?"
"He sent his compliments to you."
"To me!"
"Yes. He said, 'I had the pleasure of half-an-hour's conversation with Mrs. Lofton last evening at Mr. Arden's. Give her my compliments, and say that I hope soon for a better acquaintance.'"
"Now, Archie! Did he indeed say that?"
"His very words."
"I hardly know what to think," said Mrs. Lofton, after the first surprise occasioned by the announcement had passed away. "This is so much better fortune than I had looked for, that my mind is half bewildered. You are sure that he was altogether in earnest."
"Oh, certainly. This is not a matter in which a man like him would trifle or commit himself without due reflection. Remember, that what he said to me was after an interview with Mr. Arden, and spoken in his presence."
"Yes — yes — I see. Well I am so glad for your sake, Archie."
"And I am more glad for your sake, than my own; so we are even in that respect. But isn't it singular? He was in good business with Pinkerton, yet retired therefrom, taking his capital with him — and now comes seeking a business connection with me. I can scarcely understand it."
"It is no mystery to me," said Mrs. Lofton, proudly. "He was afraid of Pinkerton, but knows that in my excellent husband he can repose entire confidence."
Thus they talked together, and hopefully awaited the arrival of Mr. Ackland. How suddenly they had turned a sharp angle of the high mountain which towered above their lowly pathway; and now they had a broader vision — now they could see the way rising gradually before them; now hope in the future was basing itself on a reliable foundation. They had waited patiently and in humble self-denial for a time like this; yet its advent was a surprise, and thankfully and gratefully, they acknowledged the coming good fortune.
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