Extravagant Living CHAPTER 21.
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Elegantly furnished were the parlors of Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton, and quite up to the taste of our ambitious lady and gentleman. But it is not in the human mind to be satisfied with its achievements. Conquest or possession — is quickly followed by new aspirations or new desires. It was not enough that daily they could admire the beautiful effect of the costly articles with which their rooms were adorned — not enough that an occasional visitor approved or commended. Their vanity required more highly seasoned nutriments. They must give a party.
In justice to Pinkerton, it should be said, that the idea of a party did not originate with him. Too actively were his thoughts engaged in business, to leave room for suggestions of this kind. When the thing was first proposed by his fashionable wife, he felt altogether disinclined thereto, and from prudential reasons, which experience had already taught him it would be useless to set forth. He had not quite forgotten the causes which led to a dissolution of his first co-partnership, nor the mortifying position in which he had been placed. Not once, but many times during the progress of those domestic changes by which his drawing rooms were made to assume an air of elegance somewhat in advance of his real ability to procure, troublesome doubts had invaded his mind. He felt that he was venturing a little way on dangerous ground; but it availed not that he was inclined to take counsel of prudence — another's ears were deaf to all her suggestions and arguments.
"It will be a great deal of trouble, Flora," he said, coldly, when the party was first mentioned.
"I shall not regard it as such," the young wife quickly answered. "In fact, it will be a pleasant excitement. But, even if I were to feel it as a trouble, the obligation to reciprocate social festivities, would be none the less binding. Remember, that we have attended a number of parties, and unless we give one in return — we must not expect to hold our place in society."
There was power in that last argument for a man like Pinkerton, who did not yet feel altogether assured of his newly acquired social position. His feeble opposition was soon abandoned, and then the current of thought and feeling, flowed pleasantly in a new direction.
Who were to be the guests? This was the next important question.
In her marriage, Mrs. Pinkerton had lost social standing with a few families, certain members of which, for the sake of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, had kept up a kind of off-and-on acquaintance with her, now and then leaving a card, or passing a few formal compliments at accidental meetings. Deeply had the pride of Mrs. Pinkerton been wounded by this, and she had looked forward with an intense desire for the time to arrive, when it would be in her power to show these people that they had committed a mistake. The activity of this desire grew stronger, as her drawing-rooms gradually put off their modest, but genteel adornments, and became arrayed in a style of greater elegance. And now, in the matter of a party, it exercised a leading influence.
Who were to be the guests? It was no difficult matter to make the general and unimportant selections. But the upper and lower extremes were not so easily defined. Certain people would give acclaim to the affair, if their presence could be secured. These Mrs. Pinkerton undertook to manage by a series of calls, in making which, she was particularly careful to speak with great familiarity of well-known ladies prominent in society, as if she were on terms of close intimacy with them. As it was known that her family moved in the same circles with these people, the ruse took in certain quarters, as Mrs. Pinkerton clearly saw. So her mind rested from its anxiety as to the presence of those who were to givecharacter to her party.
During the conference on this subject, which took place between Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton, the former said:
"I wish to invite Mr. and Mrs. Lofton."
"Don't even think of it," was the prompt and firmly uttered reply of Mrs. Pinkerton.
"Why not?" asked the husband.
"Because we don't want such people for our acquaintances. And, moreover, we have invited those who would regard their presence as an outrage."
This rather touched Pinkerton, who answered a little sharply:
"Archibald Lofton is quite as good as anyone on your list."
"I don't know anything about that, Mark," said Mrs. Pinkerton. "All I know is, that he is a clerk, and that his wife is, or was, a dressmaker. Now, gentlemen and ladies don't expect to have clerks and seamstresses intruded upon them at fashionable parties. It would be looked upon as an insult."
"They were both present, you will remember, at Mr. Arden's," was replied to this.
"O yes, I remember that very well, and I remember something else that occurred on the occasion."
"What?"
"Mrs. Gardner, on hearing who they were, said, in my presence, that she considered it an outrage, and that if it wasn't for certain business relations between her husband and Mr. Arden, she would promptly withdraw from the company."
"Her husband is largely indebted to Mr. Arden for borrowed money. That I heard only a week ago," said Mr. Pinkerton. "But, let me inform you that you are slightly in error in regard to Mr. Lofton. He is no longer a clerk. It is now some weeks since he entered into business under very advantageous auspices."
"With whom?"
There was a slight hesitation on the part of Pinkerton before he replied.
"With Mr. Ackland."
"Not your former partner!"
"The same. And now, Flora, I cannot for the life of me see why his position, socially, is not just as good as mine."
"Oh, as to him," replied Mrs. Pinkerton, "if he were unmarried, there would be no difficulty. But he has chosen to unite himself in marriage with a base, vulgar woman — and that settles the question. They cannot be invited, Mark; and so I beg you say no more about it."
"Not a base, vulgar woman, Flora," said Mr. Pinkerton. "In that estimation, you are in error!"
"Don't, Mark, please, dwell upon this any longer. You may invite Mr. Lofton, if you are so inclined; but, as for Mrs. Lofton, I do not intend to associate with her, and therefore, shall not invite her to my house."
"Oh, well, if you foreclose the matter in that way, it must end," said Pinkerton, in a dissatisfied tone of voice. "There may come a time, however, when both you and I will see cause to regret your present decision."
Pinkerton spoke from a sudden intruding perception.
"I'll take the risk," was the lady's prompt answer; and there the subject was dropped.
In due time, the party came off. It was no half-way affair, so far as the costliness of the entertainment was concerned, though certain drawbacks marred seriously the pleasure of the Pinkertons. Nearly all of those who were expected to give character to the entertainment, unfortunately or conveniently, had other engagements, and coolly sent in their "regrets;" while all who were of no account whatever, and some who were invited out of mere compliment, came — and ate, drank, and made themselves merry, at the expense of our foolish young friends.
Among the guests was Ackland, the partner of Mr. Lofton. He had attended, less from inclination, than from a desire to see the style in which Pinkerton was now living, and the kind of entertainment he would give. The evening was drawing near to a close, and he stood, soon after leaving the luxurious supper-tables, talking with the partner of Pinkerton, when a person who did not know Mr. Lee approached them and said, with a half-concealed sneer,
"Our young friend drives a pretty fast team!"
Ackland made no response. He could not assent to the remark, although it accorded with his own view; nor did he feel disposed in the least to apologize for the seeming extravagance of their entertainer.
"There's plenty of go-ahead about him," replied Mr. Lee, smiling, and in a tone that showed him not to be in the least uneasy in regard to the fast driving of his partner.
"He's bound to break an axle, or dash down a precipice!" said the other, lightly.
"You think so?" responded Lee.
"I do — and I'm not alone in my thoughts."
"While I," said Lee, "regard him as a safe driver, because he knows the road."
"Are you sure of that?" was the quick, doubtful interrogation.
"Very sure."
"I only hope he may be," said the other.
"But for my part, I wouldn't like to be in the same vehicle with him."
With this remark, the stranger to Mr. Lee moved across the room, and the two gentlemen were alone again.
"Who is that?" inquired the latter.
"Don't you know him?" asked Ackland, slightly evincing surprise.
"I do not."
"That is Thomas, of the house of Jacobs, Thomas & Ward."
"Is it indeed! I know Mr. Jacobs very well, but never met Thomas before. He is said to be a very shrewd business man."
"That is his reputation."
"I am surprised that he should speak so of Mr. Pinkerton. He probably has some pique against him."
"I do not know, I am sure. The firm of which he is a member, has the reputation of being one of the most cautious, as well as one of the strongest in the city."
"They cannot understand a man of a liberal, enterprising spirit," said Mr. Lee, "and see danger in every step not taken in the beaten track."
To this Mr. Ackland made no answer. After a slight pause, Mr. Lee said:
"Are you of the same opinion with Mr. Thomas?"
It was some moments before Ackland said: "It isn't good for a young house to have an impression, like that just given by Mr. Thomas, entertained in regard to a prominent active partner."
"Why?"
"Such things may affect, injuriously, the credit of a house."
"There may be something in that," said Lee, into whose mind a new light seemed all at once to break. "And yet," he added, "such impressions may be altogether erroneous, as they are in the present case. Enterprise and activity are now the order of the day, and new men, if they expect to succeed, must be on the alert. Old firms that have an established reputation, and a large range of customers, may keep on their steady course, and at the old movement — but new houses cannot hope for success, unless they drive, as Mr. Thomas has been pleased to say, a pretty fast team."
"Let those who are willing to take the risks, do so," replied Ackland. "I am one of a class that still believes in slow and sure."
"Your new partner, from all I have heard of him, must be a man after your own heart," said Lee, in a tone not altogether pleasant to the ears of Mr. Ackland.
"I like him so far," was the quiet answer. And here the two men separated.
As lightly as Mr. Lee had treated the remark of Mr. Thomas, it made a lodgment in his mind, and remained there, with two or three other remarks heard during the evening, to be thought over. Through these, he was first made aware that a pretty general impression existed in regard to Pinkerton, that he was an extravagant young man, and ever disposed to live beyond his means. Try as Mr. Lee would, to banish all this from his mind, he was not successful. An impression unfavorable to his partner had been made, and nothing could now remove it. The result was a determination on his part, to give more direct thought to the general movement of the business in which they were engaged; to apply, where his own judgment approved, checks and balances, and to look more narrowly into the personal movements and expenses of Pinkerton.
Wisely enough was this determined, but Mr. Lee was of too confiding a disposition — was too easily influenced by specious words and fair representations — to act, in the case, with the decision which marked the course of Ackland. Moreover, he was not a very strong-minded man. In regard to business, he saw things much clearer in the light of other men's intelligence — than in the light of his own. Close and comprehensive views, he did not possess, nor had he a mind that was accurate in detail. When his partner laid before him plans for business, and traced out results, he saw all as clear as a sunbeam; but he could not do this for himself. He therefore rested almost entirely on Pinkerton. To disturb his confidence, was rather a serious matter, for it gave him a sense of insecurity that was far from being agreeable. It wakened in his mind a fruitless conflict.
Very far were Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton, from deriving the pleasure they had anticipated from their party. The well-bred portion of their company, who really admired the elegance of their drawing-rooms, made no remarks thereon; while a few of the envious and ill-bred, managed to let some things reach their ears that were by no means flattering. Particularly had they been disappointed and chagrined by the number of "regrets" that came in from certain quarters. In fact, but few of those for whom the entertainment was really designed, honored them with their presence. The meaning of this was but too well understood by Mrs. Pinkerton, whose mortification was extreme.
Quite as unpleasant to Mr. Pinkerton, was the necessity, a few days afterwards to draw a check of three hundred dollars to meet the bills for wines, pastries, waiters, etc., that were promptly handed in, and which, somewhat to his regret, first came under the eyes of his partner, who had thought them over with certain thoughts in his mind which were kept to himself.
So much for the Pinkerton's first grand party. The cost of their new sofa was increasing rapidly. It stood them, now, "in the sum" of nearly two thousand dollars! But this was only the beginning.
Instead of humiliating Mrs. Pinkerton, the failure of her party — she regarded it as a failure, because the end in view was not gained — only stimulated her vanity. One disparaging remark, which had reached her ears from an ill-bred guest, was in reference to her chamber furniture, which did not compare very favorably with that in the parlors. To have this all right, was her next care. A feeble opposition was made by her husband, but it was soon withdrawn.
Furniture makers and upholsterers were again in requisition. In their hands, a most striking change was soon produced, as the reader may imagine, when told that their joint bill was five hundred dollars, for which Mr. Pinkerton could do no less than give his note. The note-giving was an easy mode of settling these little affairs for the time being. Unfortunately, however, the "payment date" arrived with singular fleetness; and Pinkerton did not feel altogether comfortable when compelled to draw the large sums needed to meet his many personal obligations.
In order to justify this liberal expenditure, our young friend made it a point to exaggerate, when talking about business and profits to his partner, and the latter weakly allowed himself to be misled by the specious declarations. In this way Pinkerton not only misled, to a considerable extent, the pliant and complying Mr. Lee, but actually wrought in his own mind, a kind of self-deception. He really believed the firm to be making two dollars profit, where they were not realizing over one. Still, they were doing a large and profitable business; and were in the high road to fortune. The danger of their position, lay in their lack of business prudence.
Further, to make his own relation to the business less annoying and open to objection from his partner, Pinkerton urged Mr. Lee to adopt a more expensive and fashionable style of living, as not only justified by their income, but really due to their position. For a time Mr. Lee resisted this temptation, but yielded at last; and Pinkerton had the satisfaction of seeing the debit side of his partner's account accumulating figures in a ratio approximating to his own.
It can hardly be supposed that the pride and social ambition of Mrs. Pinkerton was going to rest satisfied with the simple re-furnishing of her parlors and chambers; the more especially, as she understood that her husband's business was rapidly on the increase, and that the annual profits were very large. In due time, she discovered that the dwellingthey occupied was small in comparison with the residences of certain fashionable acquaintances. From that moment — the charm of everything around her was gone. The elegant sofa — ah, that sofa! for how many changes was it now responsible! — the pier and center-tables; the handsome chairs, lounges, ottomans, etc. — how crowded they all looked in those small rooms; and how, before this not observed, did they cover the rich carpet, and hide its gorgeous figures!
Mrs. Pinkerton really wondered within herself, that she had not made this discovery before — wondered that she could ever have regarded her drawing-rooms as in good taste. The fact that certain families failed to honor, with their presence, her imposing entertainment, did not now so much surprise her. She had imagined herself surrounded with all that was elegant and imposing — while they saw nothing but what was meager, common, or contracted.
From that period, the social ambition of Mrs. Pinkerton plumed its wings for a higher flight. But she had by this time, become sufficiently well-acquainted with her husband's character — sufficiently aware of his weakness — to know how most easily to bend him to her wishes. She now sought to excite in him, the desire which burned in her own mind.
He was naturally extravagant, and fond of making an appearance. Moreover, neither her relatives, nor the class to which they belonged, had ever treated him with cordiality — had never more than tolerated him, for the sake of his wife. Often had this stung him to the quick: and many, many times had he looked impatiently into the future for the approaching day, when ample wealth could give him the power of retaliation.
All this Mrs. Pinkerton understood; and she saw, clearly, its value as a means to her own ends. Adroitly she began, by casual contrasts between the size of their dwelling — and that of certain people against whom ill-will or prejudice existed in the mind of her husband. Then she would repeat a remark made by this or that one, in which somethingdisparaging to their style of living was but half-concealed. And so she went on, observing closely the effect, and varying, from time to time, her mode of attack. She saw from the beginning, that her end would be accomplished.
The work was not done in a week, nor in a month. A year elapsed, before the mind of Pinkerton was prepared for a change — before all loveliness vanished from the dwelling which he had once thought so commodious and beautiful. He had said that he would not move, until he moved into his own house; and this promise to himself, he still wished to keep. Yet, was he not quite prepared to build. The business of the firm had grown rapidly, and the ratio of profits had been very heavy. But, even his desire to make a show was not strong enough to silence the voice of prudence.
"Had we not better defer any change for another year?" he said to his wife, after the question of relocating had come fairly up for discussion. "As I have often said, whenever I leave this house, I wish to go into my own; and it's out of the question to think of building yet. Next year, if business goes on prosperously, I hope to find myself in altogether another position."
"You know best about that," replied Mrs. Pinkerton, soberly, and with a look of disappointment.
"It is impossible to build this year," said the husband.
"As for building, why not defer it for several years? I shall be entirely satisfied with a rented house, just so that it is genteel and commodious. Don't you see, Mark, that we are fast losing our social position? We must make a change, and that speedily — or some of our most desirable acquaintances will be lost. It was only yesterday that Mrs. Gardner turned her head away, in passing here, that she might not have to recognize me at the window. And you know that we failed to receive invitations to Mrs. Benson's party last week. It is easy enough to comprehend all this. We are judged by our style of living."
"This moving into a larger house, Flora, will involve the heavy expense of refurnishing, remember."
"O no; not by any means," quickly replied Mrs. Pinkerton. "The furniture is good enough. It is the smallness of our rooms which destroys the beauty of everything."
"The same carpets will not answer for larger parlors."
"The carpets are just as good as new, and handsome enough for anyone. The addition of a few yards is all that will be needed." Thus, promptly was this objection met; and so were all others urged by Mr. Pinkerton.
Three or four months elapsed before a house just to their mind presented itself; then they relocated into Charles Street. The new rent was six hundred dollars a year.
"About the cost of relocating?" we hear asked, "What of the carpets? Was the addition of a few yards all they needed to make them suitable for the new drawing-rooms?" Not by any means. The new drawing-rooms were at least three yards longer than the old ones, and over a yard wider. To manage the width was altogether a simple matter. But, the other defect was only to be met by piecing the handsome carpets across the breadths in both rooms. This could not be done without sewing the seam; and the expedient was scarcely more than thought of, than abandoned. So new carpets had to be purchased for the new parlors.
It very soon became apparent to Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton, that their relocation into a larger house, was not to be effected at a trifling cost. The increased dimensions of everything rendered articles, almost innumerable, either entirely useless, or requiring more expense to give them a just adaptation to the new positions in which they were required to do service. As for the drawing-room furniture — all now looked meager. Sofas, chairs, tables, etc., were at "great distances" from each other. Harmony and just relation were only obtained by an outlay of several hundred dollars for additional articles.
The whole relocation cost very little short of twelve hundred dollars! The various particulars, we need not give. Any reader who has seen a little of fashionable life, and who knows anything of the envy which exists among fashionable people in regard to furniture, can readily imagine the case with which the sum mentioned could be expended.
"But what of the Loftons all this time?" is asked. Plodding on in the old way. "Are they still in the little house, the street door of which opens directly into the parlor?" Still there, kind reader, and as cheerful and happy as when you looked in upon them some eighteen months ago. "Is Lofton in business with Mr. Ackland?" O yes — and an active, energetic, intelligent business man he has made. The new firm is getting along bravely. Not in the dashing style that marked the brief business career of Pinkerton & Ackland, but with a safe and surely progressive movement.
In the beginning it was arranged between the two partners, that each should draw out, annually, for the two first years, fifteen hundred dollars per annum. Of this sum, Lofton had saved over a thousand dollars, which, added to former deposits in the Savings Fund, gave him the handsome sum of nearly thirteen hundred dollars.
On the evening of the very day on which Pinkerton commenced moving into his new house, Mr. Ackland, who frequently went home with Lofton after business was over, and joined the family at tea, noticed, in passing, that his old partner was leaving the very desirable residence in which he had been living, and that a notice was up, giving notice that the house was to rent. He said nothing, but the incident set him to thinking; and the result of his thoughts will be seen. Mr. Ackland was a single man; and the present prospect of his remaining single was quite flattering. The genial home sphere at Lofton's had always been very pleasant to him, as was evinced by the many social evenings that were spent with these new friends, to whom he grew more and more attached, the better he knew them.
On this occasion, as they sat around the tea-table, Ackland said, after a pause in the cheerful conversation:
"I noticed, as we came along, that Pinkerton was moving."
"Yes," replied Mrs. Lofton, "he is going into one of those large, new houses in Charles Street."
"What do you think of my taking the pleasant house he is leaving?" said Ackland,
"You!" exclaimed Mr. and Mrs. Lofton at once, in no feigned surprise.
"Yes, me," was the quiet, smiling answer.
"You are about to get married?"
"O no! No hope of that yet," was the still smiling response.
"What then? You are certainly not going to keep bachelor's hall?"
"O dear no! But let me tell you what I have been thinking about for the last half-hour; I'm in earnest. How much money have you, Lofton?"
"Nearly thirteen hundred dollars."
"So I thought. Well, it's about time you moved from here. I've been thinking of this for some months past. Our position in trade requires that you, as one of the partners, should assume a rather more imposing style of living. This looks as if we were not doing a profitable business; and I don't care to have such an impression abroad. Now, I've got a proposition to make. If you'll spend your thirteen hundred dollars in furnishing the house that Pinkerton is leaving, and which I suppose, is not good enough for him, I'll pay the rent of it for a room and my boarding. Now, what do you say to that? Remember that our profits are good, and increasing, and that you can draw two thousand a year, if needed, with the utmost propriety. The only question then need be, as to whether you can give me a corner in your pleasant home."
For a time, neither Lofton nor his excellent wife knew what to say. For such a proposition, they were in no way prepared. But, thought soon ran clear, and then the whole subject was fully discussed. To Mr. Ackland, they were already strongly attached; and that part of the proposition which looked to his becoming an inmate of their family, was altogether agreeable. Before the evening closed, the new arrangement, so suddenly conceived and proposed, was decided upon.
On the next day, Mr. Ackland secured the house, and as soon as Pinkerton had completed his relocation, the re-furnishing commenced. In a few weeks, both families had fairly settled down in their new homes. Both had taken a step higher in the social world, and both looked to increased enjoyment in consequence.
But still, under what different auspices, and with what a different promise for the future! In one case, the foundations were carefully laid, and the superstructure above them reared with a strict regard to the amount of pressure which was to be sustained. In the other case, an elegant, imposing edifice so captivated the eye and the thoughts, that little attention was paid to the quality and due arrangement of the stones beneath, upon which the whole pressure must come. And there was a time not very far distant, when each foundation would be severely tested.
Another important difference between the two families may be noted. The additional comforts and elegancies of the one, were procured without the serious drawback of debt."Save to spend," had been the Lofton's motto, and the present result showed how wise they had been in a strict adherence thereto. Every article that gave grace and beauty to their new home, was paid for; and no desire for elegance beyond their ability to secure, dimmed the light of their pleasant home.
In the case of the Pinkertons, the change had burdened the future with new obligations; for to meet all the heavy cost to which their relocation had subjected them, they had no reserved fund, and so large a cash draft from the business was not to be thought of for a moment. Mingling, therefore, with every feeling of gratified pride, was a dim consciousness of trouble in the future; a shadowy skeleton intruding itself at the feast they had hoped to enjoy with the keenest appetite.
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