Extravagant Living CHAPTER 25.
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We now pass over a period of six years with but brief mention of intervening occurrences. The reader will not be much surprised to hear that on the maturity of the notes given to Mr. Thornhill — the father-in-law of Pinkerton was unable to lift them, and that, in order to save the credit of the firm, and prevent the fact of his endorsement from becoming known to his partner, the matter had to raise the means of payment. This he did not find a very difficult matter, as he was now Director in one new Bank, and in two Savings Fund Associations, besides having an acquaintance with three or four shrewd money speculators, who were quietly involving him in their schemes, with a view to using him extensively in the time to come. He had, therefore, only to take Mr. Allen's notes for the sum needed, place on them his own endorsement, and get a friend, who would ask as much from him, to add his name also, in order to procure all that was needed. He had a "friend at court," in more than one bank, or financial institution, who was always ready to push through any paper that he chose to offer, up to a certain amount; a favor that he was careful, when opportunity offered, to reciprocate.
In these monetary speculations of his son-in-law, Mr. Allen was quick to perceive the means of serving, materially, his own ends.
The rage for banks and paper money had not yet reached its height; but a few, who saw how readily this kind of machinery could be made to serve individual interests, were securing as extensive connections as possible, with organizations based mainly upon credit and confidence. Among those who early saw the advantages of these connections, was Mr. Allen; and he did not see it clearly until, from being unable to take up his notes to Mr. Thornhill, he became aware of some of the facilities for raising money out of his business, possessed by his son-in-law. From that moment, he did not rest until he procured, through adroit management, his election to the office of President of Savings Fund, an institution professing to have in view only the advantage of laborers and working-men — yet in the hands of a set of individuals who were utterly unscrupulous as to the means they employed to secure their own ends.
So much had Mr. Allen gained through Pinkerton. But, from that time, he was to become the leader and teacher. He certainly had a more suggestive and expansive mind than the latter — was bolder and less scrupulous — understood human nature better — saw the modes by which relations with moneyed men could be extended, large facilities obtained, and immense profits secured. Pinkerton was to become a tool in his hands, and no very long time passed, before he was inextricably involved in transactions — mostly with stocks — to a very large amount.
In the mean time, the firm of Pinkerton & Lee continued to do a large and increasing business, and to make heavy profits. The mental activity of Pinkerton increased, with the increasing demands upon his thought. His mind was always on the alert, and quick in the dispatch of everything that presented itself for consideration. Upon nearly all with whom he was brought into association, he made an impression favorable to his business capacity; and this not only because he could talk shrewdly on business themes, but because he was always confident, always optimistic — and business men, just at that time, had faith in those who had faith in themselves.
It is in no way surprising, that the general impression in regard to Pinkerton, should be adopted by his partner, notwithstanding many things in the business, and in the private movements and operations of the former, did not accord with the unbiased views of Mr. Lee. But, it was only necessary for him to question or object — to be completely flooded with reasons in favor of what Mr. Pinkerton was doing, or wished to do. And so he was carried along in the progressive movement, conscious most of the time that he gave to it but a small impetus.
A year sufficed to make it clearly apparent, both to Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton that their new residence on Charles Street was by no means to be regarded as a model of imposing elegance. Daily it grew baser in their eyes, until Mrs. Pinkerton almost blushed when certain of her fashionable acquaintances called to see her. If his ideas of a residence had not wonderfully expanded during this time, Pinkerton would now have felt himself abundantly able to build. But these ideas were very much enlarged. Five or six thousand dollars, at the time of his relocation into Charles Street, would have built him a house in every way equal to his desires; but twice the sum now, would scarcely have proved sufficient. So large an amount, he could not command, and so the building of a house had still to be deferred.
Mrs. Pinkerton proposed another relocation — but, to this her husband objected. The matter was compromised by re-furnishing in a most expensive manner. The cost of this, Mr. Pinkerton defrayed outside of the business, as he had now various stock speculations on hand, and was using his individual credit pretty freely, and in rather a dangerous way. So far fortune had been in his favor. His operations were usually profitable — a fact set down in his mind to his own shrewdness; and this made him bolder and more confident.
And so things went on, expanding year after year, the undercurrent of expense steadily increasing in velocity, until Mr. Pinkerton's ambition, stimulated by that of his wife, would be satisfied with nothing less than a residence of his own. He was tired of living in houses paid for by other people's money. Whatever was around him, he wished to call his own.
During these five or six years of rapid progress, quite a change in the fortunes of Mr. Allen had occurred. That gentleman had discovered a royal road to opulence, and he was moving along with rapidly advancing feet. As the President of the Savings Fund, he had been brought into connection with a class of men who found in him the very qualities that could be used to mutual advantage. The cue they gave him — he was ready to take. For a time he worked for them, and served them primarily; but they had dealt cards to a skillful player, and one who would never rest until he had the advantage in the game. Primarily, in the end, he worked for himself. The advantage once on his side, he was careful to retain it afterwards.
The stock and money operations of Pinkerton, outside of his business, and in connection with Mr. Allen, had increased to an enormous extent — far beyond what Mr. Lee imagined, even remotely.
In these operations, the endorsement of the firm was used freely and without the knowledge or consent of Pinkerton's partner, who had not the least suspicion of the extent to which he was implicated.
Mr. Allen, as we have said, had discovered a royal road to opulence. He was no longer dependent on professional fees, nor under the necessity of appropriating the proceeds of estates which came into his hands, for his own private purposes. A series of fortunate speculations had elevated him far above this embarrassing position, and he could now look the world in the face with as confident an air as any. He did not hesitate to call himself worth sixty or seventy thousand dollars, nor to indulge the pleasing anticipation of one day being the possessor of half a million dollars. This being the case, it was the most natural thing in the world for Mr. Allen to get the building fever from his son-in-law and daughter. He must also have an elegant residence of his own. The thought scarcely grew active, before the purpose was confirmed.
What followed came naturally. Mr. Allen and his son-in-law would build side by side, in uniform style, and at equal cost. Their houses were to be somewhat imposing in appearance — ostentatious pride demanded this. The outside estimate of each, was twenty thousand dollars — this exclusive of the furnishing. In regard to the latter, the ideas of both parties were yet vague; but, in the mind of Mrs. Pinkerton, certain fancies were in play, that had a very decided French coloring.
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