Making Haste to Be Rich! CHAPTER 2.
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Not a very long time was suffered to elapse, before the two young men, Riddell and Jordan, made known to Anne and Maria Bradford that they entertained for them a warmer sentiment than friendship. This declaration was received joyfully by the sisters, for their hearts had long been more interested than they had dared own, even to themselves.
Anne was, at this time, about twenty, and two years older than her sister. In accepting the love of Riddell, she gave, in return, a heart full of confiding tenderness. She believed him to possess every virtue, and was proud of the frank manliness of his character, as it appeared in her eyes. When he spoke, enthusiastically, of his future hopes, and firm resolution to overcome every obstacle that might stand in the way of his advancement to wealth, Anne listened to him with a stronger feeling of admiration for the energy of character such declarations displayed, than of pleasure at the thought of sharing with him the blessings which wealth would bring. She saw no blemish in his character, and dreamed not that beneath all, so fair and attractive to her eyes — lay cold-hearted selfishness that would trample upon even the most sacred and holiest things to gain its end. In her dream of love, all things were bright and beautiful. The sky which bent so smilingly over her future life, had in it no cloud.
Maria was younger; and though younger, had a calmer spirit than her sister, and more instinctive penetration into character. She was never much drawn towards Riddell. There was something about him — what, she could not say — which threw over her a feeling of constraint, and made his society disagreeable, rather than pleasant to her. But towardsJordan she had, since the day of her first meeting with him, a different emotion, and when he spoke of the tender regard for her which lived in his heart, she felt herself blessed indeed in being loved by one of whose sincerity, honor, and manly integrity — she had not the shadow of a doubt.
Neither of the sisters had anything in prospect, so far as worldly goods were concerned. Their father was engaged in manufacturing in a small way, and his income was never more than sufficient for the needs of an expensive family. He had several children, and to these he strove to give the very best possible education it was in his power to bestow, rather than seek to accumulate for them a few dollars which, at most, would divide but meagerly among so many. Riddell and Jordan were well aware of this. Their love for the daughters, therefore, had in it nothing of sordidness. With Jordan, it was a pure, deep, earnest love for virtue, in the guise of a lovely young woman; with Riddell, it was a blind passion; more a love of the mere person, and a desire to possess as his own, one whose beauty, grace, and sweetness of manner, charmed all who saw her.
Very soon after Jordan had declared what was in his heart, he spoke of marriage.
"My salary is not large," he said; "But with economy, we may live upon it comfortably. When the means of support exist, I do not believe it right to wait longer, merely in the hope of being better off. With increased needs, Providence will send increased supplies. As for young married couples supporting a certain rich lifestyle, I have always believed that the less they thought about that, the better. No one more highly esteems them for their fine houses and showy furniture; while they, for the mere sake of appearances, are wasting the money which will be needed in after life, and taking upon themselves a world of unnecessary cares and troubles. These are my thoughts on the subject, Maria. What are yours?"
"We could not think more in unison than we do," returned the maiden, a brighter light in her eyes, and a warmer glow upon her cheeks. "Life has claims upon us for something more serious than more idle show and needless extravagance; and in obedience to these claims, serious though they are — there ever comes a sweet reward. As young as I am, I have already learned this. If we cannot be happy on the income you now have, we could not be if it were increased twenty fold. If it were even less than it is, I would not hesitate to take my place by your side, and share your lot in life. What God has given to you — is all that I need, and all I wish for."
For such noble words, Jordan thanked his bride-to-be with a tender salutation; and, in his heart, thanked the Giver of all good, for the blessing of such a companion for his journey through life.
Different from this was the interview between Anne and her lover. When it was mentioned that Jordan and Maria were to be married at an early date, Riddell spoke of it as altogether premature.
"My salary is larger than his, and my prospects better; yet I would not think of such an act of injustice to my wife, as to marry now. I've said all I could to Jordan; but you might as well talk to the wind. When he sets his mind upon doing anything, he can see no reason in anything you may urge to the contrary."
This was said to Anne, but she made no answer. She did not so greatly blame Jordan and her sister; but then, she could not, on account of the delicacy of her own position, venture a word of justification.
"In a little while, I shall go into business for myself," he added. "A very few years will give me the ability to place my wife in the position she is by nature, destined to fill; and introduce her to the circle which she will adorn."
A few years! How long a time that seemed to Anne. She did not seem ambitious to grace the circles of fashion, nor to fill any higher place than the affections of her husband. But she acquiesced, with apparent cheerfulness, in his views, and carefully guarded her lips, lest they should betray what was in her heart.
Within a year, Jordan and Maria were married. Riddell did not hesitate to express his strong disapproval of the act, but what he thought and felt on the subject, was of but little account to those most deeply interested. Instead of taking a showy house, and going in debt for costly furniture — the young married pair were content with a couple of pleasant rooms, the rent of which was less than a hundred dollars a year. In their humble way, they were far happier than hundreds around them more ambitious to make an appearance in the world.
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