Pride and Prudence CHAPTER 17.
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"Just look at this, mother!" said William Este, a couple of days after George Ashton, as has been seen, left his situation. "As I live, aunt Ashton's things are advertised to be sold at Constable's sale, under constraint for rent."
"O, no, William, that cannot certainly be," the mother replied, but in a surprised and anxious tone of voice.
"It is true," William returned. "Here is the advertisement," and he read a particular description of Mrs. Ashton's furniture advertised to be sold for rent on the next day.
"I can hardly wonder at it," Mrs. Este said, after sitting in thoughtful silence for some moments. "Your aunt has been living at an expense beyond what George's income would warrant. But their furniture must not be sold. I will go at once and see them."
"Why will it not do as well for me to go?" William interposed, "Aunt Ashton has never yet been to see you."
"When duty calls, William — we should never be restrained by personal feelings," his mother said. "I believe that it would do your aunt no good for me to visit her, and that is the only reason I have had for not continuing to go there. Now I think my going will do good."
The day preceding the sale of their furniture had nearly drawn to a close, and George Ashton sat, as he had remained seated for a full two hours, in a kind of stupor. Jane, whose mind was calmer than that of either her mother or brother, had made several attempts to rouse George from his state of mental paralysis, but in vain. She had just turned from him, after a fruitless attempt to inspire him with some degree of hope, when the door opened, and her aunt entered.
Jane's heart was just full enough to gush over at the slightest touch — even a breath upon its brimming surface. The sight of her aunt was enough. She took her hand, held it a moment in silence, and then bowing her head upon her bosom, gave free vent to her overcharged feelings. After she had wept herself into repose, and after Mrs. Este had met both her sister and nephew, minute inquiries were made into the condition of affairs — these were fully explained.
Mrs. Este felt it her duty to point out where the defect had been. This was fully acknowledged by George, but not by his mother.
"Would you have had use live like pigs?" the latter asked.
"No, Anna. But like rational beings, who wisely economize their resources, and provide for the time to come."
To this, of course, Mrs. Ashton had objections to make. These need not be stated here. The reader knows her well enough to guess at their nature.
"Give yourself no further trouble, George," Mrs. Este said, after some conversation, in which the young man said but little. His tone and manner, however, showed him to be suffering most acutely. "Your furniture need not be sold. I will take care of that."
"For that kind assurance, I thank you, my good aunt — for the sake of my mother and sister," the young man returned, fervently. "But I am out of a job, and see no immediate chance of getting another. How to take care of them, I know not. To throw them upon you, I cannot and will not. It would be unjust."
"Don't make any rash assertions, George," his aunt said, smiling. "I have my own plans in regard to you, and shall not readily consent to be thwarted in them. Hear what I have to propose. I am now, I find, worth thirty-five thousand dollars."
"What?" exclaimed Mrs. Ashton, half rising from her chair.
"Most all of this money I have determined to place in the bank for William, as the capital upon which he is to start a business. I think I may safely confide in you both for prudence, integrity, and business energy. Fifteen thousand dollars will, I think, be ample. Are you ready to join with William in opening a store at once?"
George looked at his aunt for some moments, as if he could not apprehend what she was saying. The whole truth gradually came to his perception. Taking her hand in his, helooked his assent and gratitude. He dared not trust himself to speak them.
Three years after the time in which the last mentioned incidents occurred, might be seen in a principal business street, a sign with "Este & Ashton". The young men were prudent, cautious, industrious and attentive, and were making money fast.
We will look in, with the reader, once more upon Mrs. Ashton, before taking a final leave of her. She was living, with her son and daughter, in a pleasant house, furnished. That beautiful young lady, dressed in white, patiently engaged in a piece of embroidery, is Jane Ashton. Her mother, with a white turban on her head, and dressed in black satin, is seated on a high-backed, cushioned chair, looking as dignified as a queen. She is engaged in the hard employment of doing nothing. George Ashton has been reading, but has laid his book down to listen to something which his mother is saying.
"It is high time, now, George, that we began to move in a more elegant style. You have been in business two years, and can easily furnish a house elegantly. There is a beautiful three story house just finished in Elm Street, that will just suit us. Suppose you see about it tomorrow. If you do not speak quick, somebody else may secure it."
"Indeed, mother, I cannot afford a different style from that in which we now live. You must remember, that we are young beginners, and that the capital upon which we do business, is loaned to us by aunt Este."
"Fiddlestick on aunt Este! What would your cousin William do without you. If I couldn't live as I chose, I'd rather die!"
"Why, the fact is, mother, it is I that can't do without William. He has access to the capital, and is a far better salesman than I am."
"O mother," Jane said, looking up with a pleasant smile, that just concealed a troubled expression; "we live well enough. When I think how hard I used to have to work, and sometimes even not be able to get work, though willing to do it — I cannot be thankful enough for our present happy change of condition. I would feel condemned, were we to affect a style and appearance beyond our means, and cease to be as happy as I now am."
"Jane is right, mother," said George calmly, and distinctly, "and so long as I can keep a sober mind, and an honest intention, I will not indulge in an extravagant style of living. I would do anything to make you happy, mother — except commit a wrong action."
"Children of this generation are wiser than their parents," said Mrs. Ashton, with irony.
In this instance, the reader will approve her remark.
And there, the curtain closes.
THE END.
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