Extravagant Living CHAPTER 29.
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The marriage of Mr. Ackland with Lucy Arden, whose father was a merchant of great wealth, rapidly advanced the interests of the young firm of which Lofton was a member. Larger capital was placed at their disposal, and extended facilities came as a legitimate consequence. Few business establishments in the city were more broadly based, or more firmly built up.
During the period of six years, briefly referred to in preceding chapters, though the house of Ackland and Lofton had been steadily, but safely, extending its operations, and though the sums of profits passed to the credit of each partner, year after year, was beginning to count, not by thousands, but by tens of thousands — still the Loftons remained in the comfortable dwelling where we last saw them, and were not in the least troubled with ambitious thoughts. Entirely above the weakness of social rivalry, their minds were never fretted by contrasts between their own household style and arrangements and those of their neighbors and acquaintances. With them, whatever of happiness they enjoyed, flowed from within, outward.
Since Lucy Arden's marriage with Mr. Ackland, a gradual change had taken place in her feelings towards Mrs. Lofton. From regarding her as a true-hearted friend, in whose welfare she took a lively interest — she now began to feel the earnest love of a sister towards her. Their earlier fellowship was more or less marked by a consciousness, on both sides, of existing social disparities; but, with the marriage of Lucy, this barrier was removed — for, as the wife of Mr. Ackland, her position was on the same level with that of Mrs. Lofton. From that time, a new bond united them.
There is little in the peaceful flow of a sun-bright rivulet, as it winds its way among green fields and through quiet valleys, to win the attention or strongly impress the imagination. The picture is a sweet one to look upon, and the heart treasures it. But, to the painter, it affords no theme for an imposing display of art. So we find it in the quiet home-life of Mr. and Mrs. Lofton. Its gentle current lapsed pleasantly along, as the years progressed, darkened by no clouds — and whitened into foam-wreaths by no down-rushing tempest. We will not linger, therefore, to show you the many beautiful pictures that were mirrored upon its surface, during the seasons that passed since you last saw them. But another and note-worthy event is now about to occur, and we pause to make the record.
It was about two months after the death of Mr. Allen. Somewhat later than usual, Mr. Lofton returned home from his store, one evening, and, the moment he entered, Mrs. Lofton saw that his countenance had a thoughtful air beyond usual. During the tea hour, he seemed abstracted, and said but little. Mrs. Lofton began to feel a shadow of concernhovering about her heart.
"Does anything trouble you, Archie?" said Mrs. Lofton, with a look of tender concern, as soon as she was alone with her husband.
"Do I really look troubled?" inquired the young man, as a smile half forced and half natural brightened his face.
"Troubled may be too strong a word. But you have been very silent, and all to appearance, very thoughtful, since you returned home this evening."
"And I am thoughtful, dear — very thoughtful, and with good cause," said Lofton.
"Nothing wrong, I hope, in your business?"
"O, no — no," was the quick answer. "Everything is right there. All a hundred-fold better than I ever expected. But let me tell you a little piece of news. You know the two elegant houses built by poor Pinkerton and his father-in-law?"
"Yes."
"They were just completed as you remember, and the two families were preparing to occupy them, when the death of Mr. Allen took place. I need not speak of the disaster that followed. Both of these houses were heavily mortgaged, and are to be sold tomorrow, at public sale, for the satisfaction of parties holding the mortgages.
"But is not Mr. Pinkerton able to retain the one he built? I thought, under the arrangement which you told me his partner had made with him at the time of their separation, that he would have a handsome property left."
"So it was said. But Mr. Allen's estate was utterly insolvent, and Mr. Pinkerton's affairs were so mixed up with his, that, after a brief struggle to save himself, he was crushed down and overwhelmed in the general ruin."
"How sad! How very sad! Where is he at present, and what is he doing?"
"I have not seen him for a month. I believe he is not at present, engaged in any business."
"Where are his family?"
Mr. Lofton shook his head.
"Ah! what mistakes both he and his wife committed!" said Mrs. Lofton.
"His whole life has been a series of mistakes," replied her husband. "And the only wonder with me is, that he progressed so far, without breaking down. Ultimate ruin was inevitable. All prudent, far seeing men anticipated the inevitable result. Poor fellow!"
There was a silence of some moments, and then Lofton said —
"But, to go back to the houses which are to be sold tomorrow. Mr. Arden was in to see us today, and says he is going to buy one of them for Lucy."
"Indeed! How pleased I am to hear you say so!" exclaimed Mrs. Lofton, a light breaking over her countenance. "Dear Lucy! She deserves it all. And what a kind, good father she has! I shall take as much pleasure in seeing her the mistress of one of these elegant mansions, as if the position were my own."
"It is proposed that you shall be the mistress of the other," said Lofton. He tried to speak in a perfectly even tone; but a slight unsteadiness betrayed his feelings.
"Why Archie!" exclaimed the startled wife, her countenance slightly flushing, and then becoming very pale.
"It is even so, dear," said Lofton gravely. "Both Mr. Arden and Mr. Ackland insist that I shall purchase the other house."
"To live in?"
"Certainly. That is the end proposed — Ackland and his family to live in one, and we in the other."
"If," said Mrs. Lofton, forcing a smile, "you had, like Mr. Ackland, a rich father-in-law to buy the house for you, then we might have nothing to object. But, to do so now, would be a piece of ostentatious extravagance which nothing could justify."
"So I urged them. But neither Mr. Arden nor Mr. Ackland will hear any objection. The purchase of one of the houses for Lucy is a thing determined upon. Mr. Arden is prepared to overbid all competitors, for he has taken a fancy to the house. But it is not probable that either of them will bring over twenty thousand, though they cost every dollar of thirty thousand."
"Twenty thousand dollars! Do you not think it would be wrong for you to draw that large sum from the business?"
"So I said. But no objection would be admitted — or rather, every objection was at once answered — and with a conclusiveness which left me little to say."
"But how was that answered?" said Mrs. Lofton.
"Readily enough. Mr. Arden said that he would make arrangements for all the funds that were needed above ten thousand dollars, while Mr. Ackland asserted that I could draw out of my profits in the business, ten or fifteen thousand dollars, without the least inconvenience being suffered. The fact is, Ellen, it is a settled point in the minds of these two gentlemen, that we are to occupy one of these elegant houses — and Mr. Ackland and Lucy the other. Opposition on our part will only provoke increased importunity on theirs."
"But see, Archie," said Mrs. Lofton, "what an expense beyond the purchase, it will involve. New parlor furniture, at least, will have to be bought, and that of a costly kind, to be in keeping with the style of the house. The expense of living, too, will be largely increased. Can we afford all this?"
"I believe we can," said Lofton. "The annual profit on our business is large — so large, that many men would deem it amply sufficient to warrant a much larger cost of living than we shall have to meet, should we move into one of these houses."
"Dear Archie!" said Mrs. Lofton, the tears springing to her eyes, "when I heard that Lucy was to be the mistress of one of these elegant homes, my heart gave a bound of pleasure; but, it sinks and trembles at the thought of a like elevation for myself. We have been very happy here, Archie — very happy" — she added, with a gush of tender emotions. "Shall we be as happy there, if the change is made? I fear not, dear husband."
"Keep the same loving heart — the same unselfish regard for the good of others, dear wife," replied Lofton, with feeling, "and you will not only be as happy there as you have been here — but retain equal power to minister to the happiness of others. Have we been less happy here, than in the humble abode which we first called by the blessed name of home?"
"Oh no — oh no," was answered.
"Why then need this change, if we are fully able to make it, rob us of a single home delight? It will enlarge your social sphere, as a natural consequence — bringing you into contact with many who have not cared to associate with us, or who, because we have kept ourselves obscure, have had no opportunity to know you as one with a congenial spirit; yet, if the love of the world is not permitted to enter our hearts, Ellen, we have nothing to fear. We may go up to a higher position — may accept these added temporal blessings — and still retain that sweet tranquility of mind which is worth more than all this world has to offer. It is the contented mind which finds delight in what it possesses — which truly enjoys life. The unhappy are those who are ever looking intently into the future for blessings which may never come, while they neglect the good that is given for their enjoyment in the present. This fatal error we have, thus far, avoided. Let us continue to do so — and we have nothing to fear."
While they yet talked about this important change, Mr. and Mrs. Ackland came in. Lucy had known nothing of what was proposed, until her husband returned from business on that evening. Of course, she had no scruples about going into the elegant house her father intended buying for her. To be the mistress of such an establishment, just suited her fancy. When she learned still further, the wishes of both her husband and father in regard to Mr. and Mrs. Lofton, and also the objection urged by the former when the subject was mentioned to him, she declared, in her off-hand, emphatic way, that they should have the other house.
"Come," said she to her husband, as soon as tea was over, "I shall not rest one moment until I see Ellen — and then I don't mean to let her rest until she comes over to our side about the house. Oh, won't it be delightful! What a sensation we shall make! But don't I know a lady or two, who will be ready to bite their finger ends off, when they see Mrs. Lofton step up in her quiet, lady like way, and take a place far above them."
"But it won't do to approach Mrs. Lofton on the subject, in this spirit, Lucy," said her husband, smiling. "You cannot move her by influences which are so potent in the case of most ladies of our acquaintance. There is a large share of unbending principle in her composition — gentle, unobtrusive, and apparently yielding as she is."
"No one knows her better than I do. So don't fear but I shall approach her with all due caution; yet, I hope, with consummate tact. I think I understand pretty well her vulnerable points."
In this spirit Mrs. Ackland called, with her husband, on the Loftons. Of all that passed between these deeply-attached friends, it is needless to speak in detail. Enough, that, when the two houses were sold on the next day, one was purchased by Mr. Arden, and the other by Mr. Lofton — each for the sum of nineteen thousand, six hundred dollars.
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