Pride and Prudence CHAPTER 9.
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Having gotten Jane and her brother into a better state of mind, and in more pleasant prospects, we will look in for a little while upon Mrs. Este, a true woman in every sense of the word.
A sick child, the pressing necessity to give more attention to the immediate wants of her family, and a resolution to leave Jane to the necessary adoption of a course of conduct, which, sooner or later, she would have to enter into — all determined Mrs. Este not to pay her usual visit of benevolence to her sister's house.
Her oldest boy was now nearly of age, and, although his present income was small, yet he was promised by his employers, who were much pleased with his intelligence and attention to business, a handsome salary when he reached his majority. In view of this period, she toiled for her family with unremitting industry. A gradual improvement was in progress in the western part of the city, and already had she received several fair offers for some of her building lots. One of them she had sold, and with the money paid off an accumulation of taxes, with which the property had become burdened; but she preferred still waiting for better prices.
On this evening, while bending wearily over her work, ever and always pausing to look upon her sick child, who lay on a pallet on the floor near where she was sitting, there was a loud knock at the door, and in the next moment two men, strangers to her, came in, and asked if she were Mrs. Este.
To her affirmative answer, the two men looked at each other, and each involuntarily exclaimed, "Can it be possible?"
"Did not your husband do a large business, a few years ago?" asked one of them.
"He was, up to the day of his death, a merchant, doing an extensive business."
"How did you become so poor, then?"
"Either he was worth less than reputed — or the administrator has wronged me."
"Mr. Hunter was your husband's administrator, was he not, Mrs. Este?"
"He was, sir."
"Then this explains everything. He is a successful lawyer, but a subtle cheat. Have his accounts ever been subjected to a legal examination?"
"No sir. I was a friendless woman, and had none to take up my cause."
"Where was Mr. Ashton? Was he not your brother-in-law? He could have made the wretch disgorge his ill-gotten gain — for he must have wronged you."
"Mr. Ashton took no interest in my affairs."
"Hum — m! — Well — did the administrator hand you over any accounts marked 'desperate?'" said one of the strangers.
"Several."
"Will you be so kind as to let me examine them?"
"Certainly, sir." And Mrs. Este went to a chest of drawers, and brought out a package of papers, neatly tied up with red tape. From these, she selected a smaller package, marked conspicuously with the words, "Desperate and Doubtful Claims," and handed them to one of her visitors.
After glancing from paper to paper in the package, quickly, he drew out a sheet, and opened and commenced a careful examination. The two now communed hurriedly, in a low tone, in which Mrs. Este only distinguished the words, "all right," "pay over Monday," "next week," "away," and a few other expressions of which she could make out nothing. After a short time spent in examining all the papers in the package, one of the strangers turned to Mrs. Este and said —
"We are two of your husbands debtors whose accounts have been considered desperate. We were unfortunate in business, but things have changed with us, and we are now fully able to meet all the claims against us. Our indebtedness, interest added, amounts to ten thousand dollars, and we are here to pay it over.
"The passage of the papers into your hands, makes it unnecessary, as it would be useless, to settle these accounts through your husband's administrator. We will, therefore, on Monday, hand you over the money, and may God bless and prosper you!"
"O, gentlemen!" said Mrs. Este, rising to her feet, and trembling from head to foot, "do not trifle with me. To raise my hopes thus, just at this time, and then disappoint me, would be more than I could bear."
"We solemnly tell you it is true, madam; and we would hand you the whole amount on the spot, if we thought it would be safe for you to have so much money in the house through two nights."
"No one would know it — no one could suspect it — but, pardon me, gentlemen," she said, pausing, and then speaking in a calmer tone. "It seems impossible that the present is only a dream. What you have said, confuses me — but I will not insult you by urging a present payment."
After consulting together for some time, the one who had spoken more frequently than the other, turned to Mrs. Este, and said —
"Madam, we have concluded to hand you bills tonight, to the amount of five thousand dollars, as a surety to you that there is a reality in what we tell you. Be silent on the matter — and no danger can reach you. On Monday we will pay you the balance of what is justly your due. And, let us tell you, that among these accounts, there are at least five thousand dollars more that we can obtain for you without trouble, and will do so if you will place in our hands a power of attorney for the transaction of the business."
Mrs. Este had no words to express her thanks, but she looked her gratitude, and well was its mute language comprehended. A receipt was soon passed for the five thousand dollars, and the strangers left the humble dwelling of Mrs. Este with lighter hearts than had ever beaten in their bosoms.
"Dear children," said Mrs. Este, when the strangers had left, "let us give thanks to the Giver of all good for this merciful providence." And mother and children bowed themselves in humble, but heart-felt acknowledgment of gratitude, before Him whose mercies are over all the earth, and who sends prosperity or adversity alone for the spiritual good of His erring children.
"Let us, my dear children," said Mrs. Este, when they had risen from their position of worship — "not feel ourselves uplifted by this change. We are no better than we were an hour ago, and should, therefore, give no place to idle thoughts, or vain imaginations. As William will, in the course of a couple of years, be of age, after a suitable time for experience, thereafter — it would be well for him to enter into business. Till then, we must not use anything but the interest of the money we have so providentially obtained. The interest added to William's salary, and accompanied with our constant industry, will make us comfortable."
"Won't aunt Ashton be mortified, though, when she hears of our good fortune!" said Henry, dancing up and down on the floor, utterly unable to control his rising spirits.
"You are wrong to think so, Henry," said Mrs. Este. "Why should you suppose that she would be other than pleased at our good fortune?"
"I know she will be jealous, mother; she is as proud as ever, and always irritated at the good fortune of others."
"You must not judge so harshly, Henry. You do not know her heart. And remember, my son, that you are speaking of your mother's sister."
The boy was silenced — but not convinced.
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