Making Haste to Be Rich! CHAPTER 3.
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Nearly twelve months elapsed after Riddell had entered into an engagement of marriage with Anne Bradford, before the long looked for and long desired co-partnership proposition was made. It came, as he had expected, from the merchant named Alexander, who wished to make for his son, a business connection with a man of capacity, mercantile education, and energy of character. In Riddell, after having for a long time observed him closely, he believed he had found the right man. His proposition was to furnish a cash capital of twenty-five thousand dollars, and for the use of that, to have one-third of the net profits of the business; the other two thirds to be equally divided between his son and Riddell.
Our young adventurer thought this very fair, and did not hesitate about its acceptance. As he anticipated, his partner proved to be a mere cipher, and spent much more time in riding about, and lounging in public places of resort, than in his store. Of course, the entire burden of the business fell upon Riddell; but he had no objection to this, as it would furnish him with a good plea, when the right time came, as come he meant that it should, to get rid of young Alexander, and thus come into the enjoyment of the whole, instead of one-third, of the profits of the business.
The idea of anything unjust, did not come into his thoughts. He had a perfect right to look to his own interest, and he meant to do it. He did not form a business connection for the sake of benefitting his partner, but himself. If that partner did not choose to look after his own affairs — he could not blame anyone if they did not, in the end, turn out altogether to his satisfaction.
For three years, Riddell pushed the new business with untiring efforts, and at the end of that time, considered himself fairly worth ten or fifteen thousand dollars in the business, besides having five thousand dollars safely invested and bearing a good interest, waiting for the time when he would have use for it. Notwithstanding all that the father could do, young Alexander would not attend to business, and so affairs were left in the hands of his energetic partner, who managed everything to suit himself, steadily looking forward to the time, when he would be able to appropriate the entire proceeds of his own labor for his own benefit.
For these three years, he had been constant in his attentions to Anne Bradford; but still spoke of the day of marriage as remote. He was sincerely attached to her, and often felt like speaking the word that would bring their long season of waiting, to a close. But, from these moments of weakness, he would rise into a firmer resolution to await, patiently, until he was able to take upon himself the expense of a family. During all this time, Anne never murmured; never by word, look, or tone, complained of the long delay. Still, she could not, by an effort of the will, send the warm glow to her cheek, nor kindle up the old fires that burned in her beautiful eyes. Hope, long deferred, was making her heart sick.
As time went on, Riddell grew more and more impatient of his connection with Alexander, who continued to play the gentleman, and leave all the work in his hands. Daily did he ponder over the means of getting safely freed from the connection. But he was shrewd enough to see, that the credit of the business depended not so much upon his business capacity, as it did upon the substantiality, in a monetary point of view, of his indolent partner; and, therefore, he considered it the better policy, to hold on yet awhile longer, than to risk all in cutting loose from him.
As a natural consequence of his business association with a member of a wealthy family, Riddell gradually found his way into social circles above those in which he had moved, and mingled freely with the rich and fashionable. The thought, how easy it would be for him to make a fortune in a day, by marrying a woman who had money — now and then intruded itself: but the instant remembrance of Anne expelled the errant thought.
One day a friend said to him,
"Why haven't you been as wide awake as Berkley?"
"In what has he shown superior wakefulness?" inquired Riddell.
"In securing a wife worth a cool fifty thousand."
"Berkley!"
"Yes, Berkley. Your quiet looking men are deep."
"Worth fifty thousand! Who is she?"
"None other than the niece of old Mr. Alexander — your partner's cousin."
"Mary Glenn?"
"The same. What have you been about, that you did not secure that prize for yourself? You have had opportunities enough. Surely, if a man like Berkley could win the lady's heart — you would have had no difficulty."
"What you say surprises me. Can it be true?"
"There is no doubt of it. I have it from the best authority."
Riddell was fully assured that it was so, a week or two afterwards, when he received an invitation to attend the wedding party.
In spite of all he could do, the young man found it now impossible to force from his mind a feeling of regret that Anne had not possessed a handsome fortune, instead of being penniless. To be able to acquire, like Berkley, fifty thousand dollars by marriage, would be the most desirable consummation in the world. It would at once put it in his power to break away from Alexander, and give free scope to his enterprising spirit. With fifty thousand dollars, what could he not do? In imagination he saw himself sweeping onward in the race for great wealth with thrilling velocity. But a thought of the reality of his position checked this imagined speed, and threw over him a feeling of discouragement.
"To think," he murmured, "that a plodding fellow like Berkley, should have such facilities thrown in his way — and I left to struggle on as I am, paying at the enormous rate of from sixty to seventy percent per annum, for the capital upon which I operate. I am sick of this toil for the benefit of others. It is unjust to myself."
Such thoughts, once entertained in a mind like Riddell's, became permanent guests. And now there began a struggle between honor and self-interest. Between his love for Anne Bradford — and his love of gain. It was a long and severe struggle, driving for many a night, sleep from his eyes, and troubling his thoughts day after day so deeply, that even business was half neglected.
In the midst of this stern contest, Riddell met a beautiful young creature, who presented the double charm of possessing uncommon personal attractions and a rich father. At his first introduction, she seemed particularly pleased with him. The second time they met, he read in her eyes, something which made his pulse beat quicker. Their third meeting brought to his mind this conviction, that he had only to woo, to win.
The father of the young lady, Riddell knew personally. Their business brought them in contact almost every day. He was a merchant named Ackland. The daughter, he had never happened to meet before.
Mr. Ackland, Riddell had always liked. He was a perfect gentleman in his business, as well as in his social fellowship; and there was a frankness which inspired confidence, and made you feel at home with him.
Strangely enough, it seemed to Riddell, after having once fallen in with the charming Blanche Ackland — he met her almost every time he went into company; and was more drawn towards her at each interview.
No very long time elapsed before involuntary contrasts were drawn in his mind between Blanche and Anne, and they were not favorable to the latter, who had, from causes that may easily be imagined, grown more thoughtful and sober, than she was a few years earlier in life. There was a freshness, a vivacity, a warmth and cheerfulness about Miss Ackland which was particularly agreeable to Riddell, the more so, as the individual who exhibited all this, had even more substantial charms.
At last came serious thoughts of receding from the contract long ago made with Anne Bradford. The match, he agreed, was not a suitable one for him, by any means. He had done very wrong ever to have committed himself. But how should he get free? To break off, suddenly, and thus abandon the woman who had waited patiently until he was ready to fulfill his engagement, appeared, even to him, so heartless, that he dismissed the thought of doing so. He feared, besides, that word of his shameless breach of faith would get wind, and mar his prospects in other quarters. And more than all this, he had to struggle with feelings of compunction, touches of sympathy, and the unextinguished love of his own heart for the object it had turned to so long.
For months this strong internal contest went on, until, at last, cold selfishness gained the victory, and Riddell deliberately made up his mind to sever the bond which had so long united him with Anne Bradford. How this was done, will appear.
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