Extravagant Living CHAPTER 22.
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The "house warming" of the Pinkertons, which took place after their relocation into Charles Street, was honored by the attendance of quite a number of the elite who had sent in "regrets" to their previous entertainments. Their upward movement was too marked to escape observation — and as Mrs. Pinkerton belonged to a "good family," nothing was compromised. Even Mr. Allen, the father-in-law of our young merchant, who had so long maintained towards him a distance of manner approaching almost to arrogance, began to unbend himself — or, speaking more correctly, to bend himself down to Pinkerton, with quite an agreeable familiarity.
The truth was, Mr. Allen's financial affairs were becoming rather embarrassed, notwithstanding his ownership of a piece of property, "daily becoming more valuable," and on which Pinkerton had looked, in the beginning, with a commercial eye. Under these circumstances, a son-in-law reputed rich, was not altogether an inconvenient appendage to the family.
Up to this time, Mr. Allen's visits to the house of his daughter had been formal, and, at times, remotely distant from each other; and they usually occurred when Mark was at his store. Now, he called more frequently, and always in the evening, or on Sundays, when the husband of his daughter was at home. His manner towards Pinkerton grew daily more free and familiar; and a very good understanding was soon established between them. To both parties, this was a more agreeable state of things. Pinkerton was flattered; and Mr. Allen felt that much personal advantage would accrue to himself.
Mr. Allen was a shrewd, unscrupulous, worldly man, yet was not sufficient in self-denial or business tact, to manage his own affairs with befitting prudence. When we speak of him as a shrewd man, we mean a shrewd observer, with something of cunning in turning this quality to his own advantage. His profession enabled him to profit largely by his mental peculiarities: but his lack of "management" in his personal affairs, caused him to make a serious leeway, and threatened sooner or later to drive him among the breakers. Several recent occurrences had opened his eyes somewhat widely to his real condition, and this had no small influence in changing wholly, his manner towards his son-in-law.
About six months after Pinkerton's relocation into Charles Street, in a conversation held with a real estate broker, reference from some cause, was made to a certain "valuable piece of property" owned by Mr. Allen.
"It will be worth sixty thousand dollars in ten years," said Pinkerton.
The broker smiled with a meaning smile.
"Do you think so?" asked the young man. "Property is rising in that direction very fast," said the broker; "but sixty thousand dollars is a large sum for an acre of ground."
"An acre! He owns ten acres."
The broker shook his head.
"He certainly does," persisted Pinkerton. "I ought to know."
"I won't dispute that fact, my young friend; still your knowledge happens to be defective. Mr. Allen owns but a single acre of the ground referred to."
"He did own ten acres."
"Ah! that is all so. He did own the whole lot, but has been selling off portions thereof, from time to time, during the last three or four years, and now retains but a single acre."
"You are certain of this?" said Pinkerton, in a voice that betrayed the unpleasant feelings produced by the intelligence.
"Altogether certain — it is my business to be up to date in these matters."
"Even an acre may become very valuable for building lots. The city is rapidly growing in that direction."
"All very true. But it will be many years before an acre of ground there, will make any man's fortune. Such an event will not occur in your life-time nor mine."
"Perhaps not. Well, no matter. So far as I am concerned, it is a question of but small interest."
And yet, in spite of his effort to seem indifferent, the tone in which this was said, betrayed the disappointed feeling occasioned by such unexpected intelligence.
About the time that this conversation took place, a gentleman entered the office of Mr. Allen. The lawyer was sitting at his desk, writing. Lifting his eyes, he met the face of a stranger, in whose countenance was an expression that produced an instant sense of uneasiness.
"Mr. Thornhill," said the gentleman, with cold formality.
The countenance of Mr. Allen flushed instantly; but he arose and received his visitor with a show of cordiality; using such expressions as, "I'm happy to see you, sir — very happy. I owe you a thousand apologies for not answering your last letters promptly. Glad you have come, however — all can be fully explained and arranged to mutual satisfaction."
"Happy to hear you say so, Mr. Allen," replied Mr. Thornhill, but in a way which showed very plainly that he looked upon the lawyer's affirmations as only words. "I have come in from New Orleans to get this business definitely settled."
"I am not so sure that all can be closed up," said Mr. Allen. "There are several claims yet unsettled. I have been pressing the suits vigorously, of late; and one reason why your last letters were not answered, was the daily expectation I had of getting decisions in our favor. Yesterday, the court ruled out several important items of testimony, and the defendants got the cases continued over to another term."
Mr. Allen did not add, that this defective testimony was a matter of understanding between him and the defendants' counsel, in order to secure the postponement just mentioned. Oh no — that was one of his professional secrets.
"All very well so far as it goes," was the firm answer of Mr. Thornhill to this. "But, over six thousand dollars have been paid into your hands, on account of Mr. Wilding's estate, during the last two years, and not one dollar of the money has his dependent, almost destitute widow and children been able to get out of your hands."
"It's all safely invested for their benefit. All — "
"Precious little benefit have they derived from it!" said Mr. Thornhill, interrupting the lawyer. His manner was impatient, and his tones slightly sarcastic. "When I wrote to you to send on the amount of funds in hand to the credit of the estate — why did you not do so promptly?"
The manner of the Southerner was so imperative, and his look so fearless and indignant, that Mr. Allen cowered before him, in spite of his professional coolness. This, however, was only for a few moments. He soon regained his self-possession, and replied, with some dignity —
"If you have come on business, Mr. Thornhill, I am ready to meet you for its transaction; but if to insult me, I must beg the favor of your withdrawal."
For some moments the two men gazed fixedly at each other.
"Pardon my warmth of speech," said Mr. Thornhill, at length, in a more temperate manner; "I have given way somewhat to hasty feelings, for which I owe an apology. It is for thetransaction of business that I have come."
"Very well, sir. I am ready to give you every information you may desire in regard to Mr. Wilding's estate. I presume you have a power of attorney, in due form, from the heirs?"
"I have."
"As just said, my efforts to bring certain suits to a close have been foiled, and that cases are continued until the next term of Court."
"That I understand — and, of course, we shall have to await the outcome. But over six thousand dollars due to the estate have been collected."
"Yes, sir."
"This has been invested, you say?"
"It has."
"In what?"
"In bank stock."
"Ah!
"Well, that simplifies the matter. We will have this stock sold immediately."
Mr. Allen moved uneasily in his chair, and said something about the doubtful expediency of throwing the stock into market.
"All a straight-forward business," promptly responded Mr. Thornhill. "The stock is of course, good."
"I believed it good when I made the purchase," said Mr. Allen, with some slight embarrassment in his manner. "It was, in fact, above par. I paid a premium of ten percent, on each share. Most unexpectedly, it has since declined below par."
"Humph! On what bank?"
The name was given. On hearing it, the Southerner shrugged his shoulders; knit his heavy brows, and with his eyes cast upon the floor, sat musing for some time. Looking up, at length, he said, in a firm manner:
"You were particularly instructed, Mr. Allen to transmit the proceeds of this estate as fast as realized; but instead of doing so, you have used it, as I am inclined to believe, in stock speculations. Very well, this being so, the loss, if any occurs, must rest with yourself. I am here for a settlement, and must have it. You can sell the stock or raise the sum required to be paid over, in any way which best suits your convenience."
"Mr. Thornhill," replied the lawyer, in irrepressible indignation, "if you expect to transact business with me, you must assume another tone and style of language altogether. I am not the man to be driven into any course of action. So, if you expect to get a settlement on account of Mrs. Wilding, you must meet me in a different state of mind, and with altogether a different address. Until you are prepared to do so, anything further between us will retard — not hasten the business for which you have visited our city."
Mr. Thornhill at this, walked the floor hastily for some time with a scowling brow. He was perfectly satisfied, in his own mind, that no investment had been made of the widow's money — that the lawyer had used it for his own purposes, and unless some decisive measures were adopted, it was more than doubtful whether any prompt settlement could be obtained. As for the depreciated stock, he was inclined to believe that statement on second thought, a mere subterfuge. Pausing, at length, and fixing his keen black eyes upon Mr. Allen, he said, with a forced calmness, that was the more impressive because forced —
"I feel strongly in this matter, Mr. Allen, because I have seen something of the distress your neglect to pay over to Mrs. Wilding the amount due her, has occasioned. No special business of my own has led me thus far North. Indignation at your conduct in the matter, and sympathy for the helpless widow, have conspired to bring me here. We Southern men have hot blood, and when our feelings are once aroused, we go to the end of our purposes with a directness which spurns all obstacles. I know little of professional quirks, and understand not the merit of your legal delays. I only know that you have about six thousand dollars of Mrs. Wilding's money in your hands, which I am authorized to receive; and I warn you now, that if it is not paid over within forty-eight hours from this time — I will post you on the street-corners. As for consequences, I am not the man to estimate them. So please do consider me in earnest. The day after tomorrow, I will call upon you for a settlement. In the mean time, if you desire another interview, you will find me at Barnum's. So good day to you."
And, formally bowing, the hot-headed man from the South retired, leaving Mr. Allen in a state of profound indignation.
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