Retiring from Business CHAPTER 12.
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A FALSE STEP.
So signally had the farming experiment of Mr. Franklin failed, that he was completely disheartened, and abandoned all idea of agriculture as a calling for his son. In fact, the latter had shown not the slightest fancy for the pursuit, and, as has been seen, the attempts to initiate him into the art and mystery appertaining thereto, had proved entirely abortive. It was therefore determined, that he should go back again into some mercantile establishment. But six months of idleness and wicked association had completely unfitted the young man's mind for business. He could not submit to the drudgery and confinement of a store or counting-room. Humbled, in some degree, on account of his conduct in selling a valuable horse belonging to his father, in order to satisfy a debt made at the gambling table, Edwin yielded to the wish of his parents to take his old place, which was still open for him. But all relish for useful employment was gone, and not a week passed before he was sighing in spirit for the freedom he had laid aside.
It was Mrs. Franklin's desire to move again into the city. This her husband opposed. He wished to stay where he was, at least for the winter. He thought that by remaining in the country during the coming fashionable season, they would be able to keep Florence secluded.
"It is of the utmost importance," he said, "to keep her out of the fashionable whirl, until her mind gains more strength. She is yet too young for society — woman as she thinks herself."
To all this Mrs. Franklin readily agreed, but doubted their ability to seclude her.
"She is in the city two or three times every week; and she will continue to go, unless we lay positive commands upon her, which I think we should avoid doing. And she will attend, probably, just as many fashionable entertainments as if we were in New York. This being so, it would be much better for us to be living there, for then no reason for her ever remaining all night from home, would exist as now."
But Mr. Franklin did not want to move into the city then, and therefore the reasoning of his wife, which was very clever on this and other subjects connected with her children, failed to have any effect.
When winter set in, they were still at their place in the country. Edwin came home with tolerable regularity, while the season remained pleasant; but as soon as the cold weather set in, he became less and less punctual in his return, and by the middle of January did not make his appearance more than once a week. Florence spent at least half of her time in New York, against the wishes and remonstrances of her parents, and followed a mirthful round of fashionable dissipation there.
By mid-winter, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin were almost sleepless with trouble about their two oldest children. The former regretted not having moved into the city in the fall, and openly expressed his regret.
"Had we not better go, even at this late period?" said his wife.
"We cannot move in now," replied Mr. Franklin.
"We can take rooms at one of the hotels until spring."
"Yes, that could be done."
"It would enable us to have Edwin and Florence more directly under our own eyes. Things as they now are distress me to death. I am afraid they will be ruined!"
The more Mr. Franklin pondered this suggestion, the better he liked it, and, finally, it was decided to make the change. A little to the surprise of Mrs. Franklin, when the fact was mentioned to Florence, she did not seem much pleased, and from that time appeared thoughtful. Nor did Edwin manifest much pleasure when he became aware of the fact.
On the day before the proposed removal, Florence went into the city. There was to be an entertainment at the house of a friend of the family, in which she was desired to participate. She went in the carriage as far as the ferry at Hoboken, and then passed over the river alone. As the ferry-boat touched the landing, a gentleman stepped on board, and looked eagerly around. A moment after, and Florence was by his side.
"I was half afraid you would not come. I have been waiting for an hour," he said, as they went quickly from the boat.
"I tried to get away sooner, but could not," replied Florence, speaking in an excited voice.
"No matter, you are here now." And as he said this, he handed her into a carriage.
They leaned close together, and conversed earnestly while the carriage moved as rapidly down Greenwich Street as the crowded state of that thoroughfare would permit. They reached Jersey City ferry just in time to join the passengers for the south, and pass over the river with them. At the depot they entered the train of cars, and in a few moments were moving swiftly on their way towards Philadelphia! Strange, yet sad coincidence — in the car next to the one in which Florence was journeying away from her home, sat her brother! He was also taking a step that could only be followed by repentance, and that, perchance, when it was too late to be of any avail. They reached Philadelphia without meeting, each entirely ignorant of the other's proximity.
Florence had eloped with LeGrand, and Edwin has gone south in company with a man of the worst character, whose only object in the association, was the hope of plundering his young companion of money that he knew him to have. How this came into his possession, will appear.
The removal of Mr. Franklin from the city, instead of withdrawing Florence and Edwin from dangerous associations, had only left them freer to enter into any that suited their fancy. LeGrand was not long in discovering how affairs were situated, nor backward about taking advantage of them. He was an adventurer, as Mr. Franklin had correctly inferred. His stock in trade was a good education, a good address, and the most perfect assurance. His business was to provide himself with a competency by securing a rich wife. As to the lady herself, he did not care much whether she were young or old, wise or simple — just so that she had money. That would cover all defects, if any existed.
The time-killing visit of Mr. Franklin to the Springs, brought Florence under the eye of LeGrand, and he saw at a glance that she was to be won, if worth the winning; careful, yet well guarded, inquiry, satisfied him that she was a prize. He then made his observation of the father and mother. The old gentleman did not please him very well. He thought he saw something unbending about him. But he was satisfied that the mother was tenderly attached to her children, and that through her, an easy reconciliation could be obtained, if he should find it advisable to run away with Florence.
No speculation equal to this, and as sure of success, presented itself to LeGrand . After due deliberation, he resolved to make sure of the advantage presented, and before Mr. and Mrs. Franklin took the alarm and retired from Saratoga, he had whispered tender sentiments into the ear of the weak-minded girl. During the trip to Niagara, these were repeated. After the return to New York, he managed to get a meeting with Florence about once a week, and before the winter was half over, it was all managed between them, that as soon as she had reached her eighteenth year, a marriage should take place. Once or twice LeGrand called at the house of Mr. Franklin, in order to see what impression his visit would make; but the second visit satisfied him that, with all his pretensions to wealthy southern connections, the impression made upon Mr. and Mrs. Franklin, was most unfavorable.
Florence saw no particular reason for waiting until she had completed her eighteenth year, but LeGrand was not disposed to take so important a step without having as many chances in his favor as could be obtained. The legal age of his wife, he considered one of them.
After making all as secure as possible, the young adventurer went south, where he pursued a certain not very reputable calling, in order to supply the money needful for present wants; returning every few months in order to see Florence, and keep bright the links of the chain by which they were bound together. During his absence, they corresponded through a friend and confidant of Florence, in the city; and through the same party, with whom Florence spent the greater part of the time when she came in from the country, their interviews were arranged, when LeGrand visited the north. The removal of her family from the city favored all this; and it so happened that none of those who saw what was in progress, were unselfish enough to give the parents a hint of what was going on.
The sudden determination of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin, to move to the city in mid-winter, alarmed Florence. She feared that some discovery of the relation that existed between her and LeGrand had been made, and that this was one of the steps about being taken to interrupt their fellowship. She wrote to her lover, who was in Baltimore, and he came on immediately, Florence had just completed her eighteenth year, and no legal difficulty therefore remained. Immediate marriage was determined upon, and consummated on their arrival in Philadelphia, after the flight made to that city.
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