How to Destroy a Good Business

by Mary Roberts Rinehart

　　CHAPTER I."Well, Mr. Tompkins, what do you think about it? I wish you wouldspeak. I've been talking at you for full ten blessed minutes, andyou haven't as much as opened your lips in reply.""About what?" asked Mr. Tompkins, looking up with an air ofsurprise."About what, indeed!" rejoined the lady, in no very melodious tone."Why, about that house in Franklin Street, to be sure. What else didyou suppose it was?""Oh! ah! yes.""Mr. Tompkins, why don't you answer me like a man? Oh! ah! yes! Ihate that.""Humph!""Yes, and I hate that just as bad. But you needn't think to put meoff with a 'humph!' Have you made up your mind about buying thathouse--say?""I've got to make up my mind about something else first.""Indeed! And what is that, pray?""About where the money is to come from.""Mr. Tompkins, I am out of all patience with you! Its preciouslittle that I ask for, dear knows! But even that little is nevergranted.""If you'll get me the money, Ellen, I'll buy the house withpleasure," returned Mr. Tompkins, in a quiet voice."Me! I wonder where I'd get the money? It's an insult for you totalk to me in this way, when you keep me as poor as a church mouseall the time. Every dollar I get from you is like pulling a tooth.""And causes me as much pain, sometimes.""I won't put up with such treatment from you, Mr. Tompkins," saidthe good lady, passionately, and walked from the room with a statelystep and an effort at dignity. The husband retreated precipitately,and sought his place of business. He sighed as he took his seat upona counting-house stool at the desk, and commenced turning over thepages of various large account-books. While thus engaged, a personentered his store, and was shown back to that portion of it where hehad retired. Mr. Tompkins looked up on hearing his name pronounced,and met the steady eye of one whose presence was not very agreeableto him just at that time."Ah, Mr. Wolford! How are you to-day? I am glad to see you," hesaid, with an effort to seem pleased and indifferent."Very well. How are you?" was the blunt response."Take a chair, Mr. Wolford."The visitor sat down, with considerable emphasis in his manner,threw one leg over the other, and leaned back in his chair. Tompkinswas nervous. His effort to seem at ease led him into overaction.He smiled, or rather smirked--for a smile is always natural, neverforced--and introduced various topics of conversation, one after theother, with the manner of a man whose thoughts were far away fromhis words, and who yet wished to be very agreeable to a personagefrom whom he wished a favour."What do you think of the news from Washington to-day, Mr. Wolford?Strange doings there!""Rather.""Our party were completely outgeneralled in that measure.""Yes.""Bad news from London.""Yes, bad enough.""It has played the mischief with stocks.""Thank fortune, I don't deal in stocks."And thus Tompkins run on, and Wolford replied cold and sententiouslyfor some ten minutes. Then there came a pause, and the two menlooked into each other's faces for a short time, without either ofthem speaking."The year for which I loaned you ten thousand dollars expires nextweek," said Wolford, in a quiet tone, breaking the silence."Does it?" returned Tompkins, affecting surprise. "I had no idea thetime was so near being up. Are you sure?""I never make mistakes in such matters, Mr. Tompkins, and can'tunderstand how other people can.""Creditors are said to have better memories than debtors," repliedTompkins, attempting something like pleasantry."Yes--I know. You will, of course, be prepared to take up themortgage upon your property?""I am afraid not, Mr. Wolford. Money is exceedingly tight. But asyour security is perfectly good, and you do not want the money, youwill let the matter remain as it is for a little while longer?""I loaned you the money for a year, did I not?""Yes.""Very well. The year will be up in a week.""I would like to borrow the same amount for another year.""I have no objection to your doing so, if you can find any one whowill lend it.""Will you not do so?""No. I have other use for my money.""I will increase the interest, if that will be any inducement. Moneyin a good business like mine can bear a heavy interest.""I am not satisfied with the security. Property is falling invalue.""Not satisfied!'" exclaimed Tompkins, in unfeigned surprise. "Theproperty is worth double the sum you have advanced for my use.""I differ with you--and I am not alone in differing.""Very well, Mr. Wolford," said Tompkins, in a changed tone, thatevinced roused and half-indignant feeling, "you shall be paid. I caneasily transfer the security to some other person, if I find itnecessary to do so, and raise the amount due you."Wolford, phlegmatic as he was, seemed slightly moved by thisunexpected change in the manner and position of Tompkins. Henarrowly observed the expression of his face, but did not reply. Hewas afraid to trust himself to speak, lest he should betray his realthoughts."You will be prepared to pay me next week, then," he at length said,rising."Yes, sir. You shall have the money," replied Tompkins."Good day." And Wolford retired; not altogether satisfied that hehad gained all he had hoped to gain by the visit."Ah me!" sighed Tompkins, turning to his desk as soon as this manhad departed. "Here comes more trouble. That miserly wretch has nomore use for his money than the man in the moon. It seems to givehim delight to make every one feel his power. It is for no otherreason than this, that I am now to be harassed half out of my lifein order to raise ten thousand dollars in a week, besides meeting myother payments. I must try and get some one to take the mortgage heis about releasing."While thus musing, the individual who had just left him was walkingslowly down Market Street, with his eyes upon the pavement, in deepthought. He was a short, stoutly built old man, dressed in awell-worn suit of brown broadcloth. His hat was white, large in thebrim, low in the crown, and pulled down so heavily on the highcollar of his coat, that it turned up behind in a very decided way,indicating the save-all propensities of its owner. His face was ashard as iron: it was deeply seamed by years or the indulgence of thebaser cupidities of a perverted nature. His lower lip projectedslightly beyond the upper that was pressed closely upon it. Hissmall gray eyes were deeply sunk beneath a wrinkled forehead, andtwinkled like stars when any thing excited him; usually they were ascalm and passionless as any part of his face.This man had never engaged, during his whole life, in any usefulbranch of business. Money was the god he worshipped, and to gainthis, he was ready to make almost any sacrifice. He started in lifewith five thousand dollars--a legacy from a distant relative. Torisk this sum, or any portion of it, in trade, would have been, inhis view, the most egregious folly. His first investment was in sixpercent ground-rents, from which he received three hundred dollarsper annum. It cost him two hundred to live; he had, therefore, atthe end of the year, a surplus of one hundred dollars. He wascasting about in his mind what he should do with this in order tomake it profitable, when a hard-pressed tradesman asked him for theloan of a hundred dollars for a short time. The idea of loaning hismoney, when first presented, almost made his hair stand on end. Heshook his head, and uttered a decided "No." It so happened that theman was so much in need of money, that he became importunate."I know you have it, if you would only lend it, Wolford," said he."Let me have a hundred dollars for a month, and I will give you agood interest for it, and security besides.""What kind of security?" eagerly asked the miser, his facebrightening. The idea had struck him, as being a good one. The manwas a tailor."I will let you hold Mr. S----P----'s note, at six months, for onehundred and fifty dollars, as security."Wolford shook his head."He might die or break, and then where would be my hundred dollars?""I would pay it to you."Wolford continued to shake his head."How would a piece of broadcloth answer your purpose?""What is it worth?""I have a piece of twenty yards, worth eight dollars a yard. Itwould bring six and a half under the hammer. You can hold that, ifyou please.""How much interest will you pay?""I will give you two dollars for the use of one hundred for thirtydays.""If you will say three, you may have it.""Three percent. a month!--thirty-six percent. a year! Oh no! Thatwould ruin any man.""I don't think the operation worth making for less than threedollars.""It is too much, Wolford. But I'll tell you what I'll do. Let it befor sixty days, and make the interest five dollars.""I to hold the cloth as security until it is paid?""Certainly.""Very well. You shall have the money."A note for one hundred and five dollars, at sixty days, was drawnand handed to the young shaver, who paid down one hundred dollars,and went off with his collateral under his arm.This transaction opened a new world to Wolford's imagination. Twoand a half percent. a month, and six percent. per annum, couldhardly be compared together. He sat down and began to figure up theresult of the one operation in comparison with the other, and foundthat while his investment in ground-rents yielded only three hundreddollars a year, five thousand dollars, at two and a half percent. amonth, the rate at which he had made the operation just referred to,would yield fifteen hundred dollars per annum!From that moment he became dissatisfied with ground-rents as aninvestment. As quickly as it could be done, he sold, for onethousand dollars, a piece of real estate, and, depositing the moneyin bank, looked around him for good paper to shave. He did not haveto look very long. Borrowers quickly presented themselves, but noone got money except on the most tangible kind of security, and at aruinous interest. Careful as he tried to be, Wolford was not alwayssuccessful in his operations. One or two failures on the part of hisborrowers, made him acquainted at a magistrate's office, where heacquired another new idea upon which he improved."If you wish to invest money safely and profitably, I will put youin the way of doing it," said a petty dispenser of justice to poordebtors, rogues and vagabonds, aside to the miser one day, after hehad given judgment against a delinquent borrower."How?" eagerly asked Wolford."A great many cases of debt are decided by me every week, on amountsvarying from one to fifty dollars," replied the magistrate. "As soonas a judgment is given, the debtor has to pay the money, findsecurity, or go to jail, In most cases, the matter is settled bysecurity for six months, when the debt, with costs and interest, hasto be paid.""Legal interest?" asked Wolford."Certainly," replied the magistrate, with a smile. "It is a legalmatter, and only legal interest can be charged.""Oh, of course! I didn't think of that.""Very well: after a judgment is obtained, in five cases out of sixthe prosecutor is sick, of the business, and perfectly willing tosell out the judgment and have no more to do with it. The bestbusiness in the world is to buy these judgments. You can make atleast forty percent. per annum.""What!""Forty percent.""Forty percent!" and Wolford's eyes sparkled. "Are you sure?""Oh, yes. If I were allowed to buy them, as I am not, I would wishno better business.""You think it safe?""Nothing can be safer. If the judgment is not paid at the end of sixmonths, you can go to work immediately, with an execution, on theproperty of the original debtor, or his security, as you may thinkbest, and at once obtain your money.""Suppose neither of them have any property?""I take very good care not to accept bad security. Besides, you willfind but few persons out of whom fifty dollars, or less, may not beobtained, under the pressure of an execution.""I like the idea amazingly," said Wolford, thoughtfully. "Forty percent per annum! Capital! I will buy judgments.""I have two hundred dollars' worth in my desk now, which I havedirections to sell. Do you want them? They have six months to run.Twenty percent. off will be just forty dollars--here they are."Wolford carefully examined the documents which the magistrate placedin his hands, and, after considering the subject for some time, saidthat he would buy them. His check for one hundred and sixty dollarswas received by the magistrate, and the judgments became hisproperty."It's even better than forty percent per annum," remarked themagistrate, as he folded up the check be had received."How so?""You make over fifty-five percent.""Indeed!""Yes--look at it. You have just paid one hundred and sixty dollarsfor what will yield you two hundred and six dollars in sixmonths,--for you must remember that you will get legal interest onthe claim you have bought. Now this is a fraction over fifty-fivepercent per annum. What do you think of that for an investment?""Capital! But have you much of this kind of business?""Enough to keep several thousand dollars constantly employed foryou.""Good!"With this brief ejaculation, that came from Wolford's heart, heturned away and left the office.On this operation, the magistrate made six percent. The regularselling price of judgments was twenty-five percent., with acommission of one percent for effecting the sale.In a few months, Wolford had all his money invested in judgments.This business he continued for several years, meeting with but fewlosses. He could then write himself worth twenty-five thousanddollars, and began to find it necessary to seek for some heavierinvestments than buying judgments, even if they did not pay quite sowell.Loaning money on mortgages of real estate, at about ten percentum,he found a very safe business; with this he united the shaving ofundoubted paper, at from one to two percent a month. Mr. Tompkinshe had frequently shaved so closely as almost to make the bloodcome. This was previous to the loan before alluded to. Since thathad been made, Mr. Tompkins rarely found it necessary to put goodpaper into Wolford's hands for discount. This the miser considered adead loss, and he therefore determined that the loan should be takenup, and made in some quarter not likely to affect the shavingoperations.The declaration of Mr. Tompkins, that he could easily get some oneelse to take the mortgage, was not too well relished by Wolford, Ifhe were sure this could be done, he would be content to accept anincrease of interest and continue the loan, for the security was ofthe very safest kind, and ample."I must think about this," said he to himself, as he walkedhomeward, after parting with Tompkins. "I rarely make false moves,and should not like to do so in this case."CHAPTER II.When Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins met at dinnertime, neither of themappeared in the most happy frame of mind. The lady looked especiallydisagreeable. The meal passed in silence, and was eaten with littleappetite.As soon as her husband had retired from the house, which he did verysoon after he had left the table, Mrs. Tompkins's manner changed."Humph!" said she, tossing her head, "he needn't begin the sulkygame with me. Two can play at that, as he ought to know very well.I've set my heart on having a handsomer establishment than thepurse-proud Mrs. Gileston, and, what is more, I will be gratified.Mr. Tompkins is worth two dollars to her husband's one, and yet shesweeps about the street with the air of a duchess, and never so muchas looks me in the face, though I have been twice introduced to her.But, I'll be even with my lady! I've set my heart on this, and willmove heaven and earth to accomplish it."This half-spoken soliloquy will afford the reader some clue to thecharacter of Mrs. Tompkins. Her husband, to whom she had beenmarried about ten years, had gradually risen from the position of aclerk to that of a merchant, in a small way, when the death of adistant relative put him in possession of about thirty thousanddollars. Up to that time, his wife, who was a poor girl when hemarried her, had been content to live in a style suited to theirmeans. But the moment a fortune so large in her eyes, fell to theirshare, her ideas expanded, and she suddenly became aware of the factthat she was a woman of no mean importance.To Mr. Tompkins, this money came just in time to save him fromfailure. He had started, as too many do, without capital, and hadunwisely attempted to do more business than means so limited wouldbear. He, consequently, knew the value of money far better than hiswife, and was disposed to invest what he did not require in hisbusiness in a safe way. She, on the contrary, proposed that theyshould, at once, adopt a style of living in consonance with theirbettered fortunes."We live very comfortably, as we now are," he said, in answer to arepetition of her plea for a handsome house, on the eveningfollowing the day of his interview with Wolford. "We live as well asour means have, until within a few years, enabled us to live."Mrs. Tompkins rejoined--"With improved fortunes, we should adopt a different style.""I don't think we should be in any particular hurry about it," saidthe husband. "Let the change, if any be made, come gradually.""All eyes are upon us," was Mrs. Tompkins's answer to this. "Andeverybody expects us to take a different and higher place insociety.""It is my opinion," said the husband, "that we are free to live inany style that may suit us.""It is all very well to say that, Mr. Tompkins, but it will not do.We must, while in the world, do as the world does. People in ourcircumstances do not live in a rented house;--we should have adwelling of our own, and that a handsome one--handsomer thanGileston's house, about which there, is so much talk.""Gileston's house!" said Mr. Tompkins, in surprise. "Why that housedidn't cost a cent less than twenty-five thousand dollars.""Well, suppose it did not. What then?""Do you imagine that we can build a house at an expense oftwenty-five thousand dollars?""Why not, Mr. Tompkins?""Where is the money to come from?""There it is again! But I can tell you.""I wish to my heart you would, for it's more than I can.""Take it out of bank, where it lies rusting.""Humph!""What's the matter?""How much do you suppose I have in bank tonight?""Dear knows! Forty or fifty thousand dollars, I suppose.""Just seventy-nine dollars and ten cents! And what is more, I havetwo thousand dollars to pay to-morrow, five hundred on the dayafter, and ten or twelve thousand more to make up within the nexttwo weeks. If you will tell me where all this money is to come from,I will build you a dozen houses: as it is, you must build your owncastles--in the air."A flood of tears answered this bitterly spoken reply. Her tears, thelady had found, on more occasions than one, to have a powerfuleffect upon her husband. It must be said for her, that she did notbelieve a word of what Mr. Tompkins had alleged in regard to thebalance of his bank account. For a man who had been in a goodbusiness for a number of years, and had received a legacy of thirtythousand dollars, to be so near out of cash, was to her mindpreposterous. She knew he had invested nearly twenty thousanddollars in property, but what of that? Her tears disturbed Mr.Tompkins, as they always did."What I tell you is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but thetruth," said he, in a calm, but serious voice, after, the sobs ofhis wife had begun to die away. "And now, what would you have medo?""You can do just as you please, Mr. Tompkins. It is nothing to me.You know your own business best." This was said with an offendedair, in which was something of indifference."You are unreasonable, Ellen.""Very likely I am; at least in your eyes. I believe you never had avery exalted opinion of your wife's good sense: nor much regard forher wishes!""I believe, Ellen," returned the husband, "that few men regard thehappiness of their wives more than I have regarded the happiness ofmine. Perhaps if I had been less considerate, it might have beenbetter for all.""Considerate, indeed! Oh, yes! You're very considerate to buy oldwarehouses to rent, in place of a decent dwelling for your family!Very considerate that--wasn't it?"At this point of the contest, Mr. Tompkins retired from the field,his forces reduced and in disorder. He saw but one hope of peace,and that was by an early surrender, and on the best terms that couldbe made. The property that he had purchased yielded him aboutfourteen hundred a year. To sell this, and build, with the proceeds,a splendid mansion, from which no income could possibly arise,seemed to him an act of egregious folly. But any thing for peace. Tosell it, and put the money in his business, was a much moredesirable act, instead of borrowing money, at an exorbitantinterest, in order to make his payments. He had more than oncethought of doing this. At the time the investment was made, hisbusiness operations were light, and he did not need the use of overten thousand dollars of the timely legacy he had received. Sincethen his business had increased, and with this increase came theneed of more ready money than he could command. He did not like theidea of selling his real estate, because he was very confident, fromthe many improvements going on in the quarter of the city where itwas situated, that it would double in value in the course of tenyears. He was so confident of this, that he preferred paying a highrate of interest for money for temporary purposes, rather than sellhis property. So hard did he become pressed at last, that heresorted to the expedient of raising ten thousand dollars onmortgage, at ten percentum per annum. Wolford held this mortgage,as the reader is aware.It was with painful reluctance that Mr. Tompkins made up his mind topart with his warehouse property, in order to gratify the love ofdisplay which was the besetting sin of his better half. But, evenshould he do that, he would have to let ten thousand dollars go toclear off the mortgage; and if it brought him twenty-two or threethousand, or even twenty-five thousand, he would not have enough tobuild the elegant mansion his wife desired: and should he build onein a style not consonant with her exalted ideas, his position,instead of being better, would be much worse.The next week, to poor Mr. Tompkins, he was called a rich man, wasone of sad perplexity and anxious deliberation upon what it was bestfor him to do. He had great difficulty in raising sufficient moneyto meet his payments, independent of the ten thousand dollarsdemanded by Wolford. Where that sum was to come from he could nottell. He had made several applications for a loan to take the placeof the one now upon his property, and had even caused advertisementsto be inserted in the newspapers, addressed to "capitalists," butwithout effect.During all this time, Mrs. Tompkins was as disagreeable as it waspossible for her to be. When her husband returned home, in theevening, sick at heart with the toil and anxiety of the day, he wasmet by no pleasant words or cheerful smiles. A sober face presidedat his table, where the words were few and coldly spoken.The period for which Wolford's loan had been made was within twodays of its expiration, when, half beside himself with perplexity,Mr. Tompkins advertised his property for sale. There were enough whounderstood its real value precisely, and were ready to come forwardand offer to purchase. As soon as the miser and usurer saw thecourse events were taking, he very kindly informed Mr. Tompkins thathe had just received, unexpectedly, a large sum of money, and shouldnot want the ten thousand dollars due him."You are too late," replied Mr. Tompkins, when he communicated thisintelligence."Why so?" asked Wolford."I have made up my mind to sell.""I don't want my money.""Oh, very well, I can keep it.""On what security.""My note of hand."The miser shrugged his shoulders."Don't you like that security?""I have no objection to your warehouse property.""But that I shall sell."Wolford retired in a dissatisfied mood. He had overreached himself.In the course of a week the sale was made, and for cash. Theproperty brought twenty-five thousand dollars. After the mortgagewas released, and his borrowed money account balanced, Mr. Tompkinshad just twelve thousand dollars to his credit in bank, with amonth's heavy payments before him.On this basis, and with this position of affairs to sustain him, Mr.Tompkins, feeling in a desperate mood, determined that he wouldbuild himself an elegant residence. The plan was furnished by anarchitect, and the work commenced forthwith. Mrs. Tompkins was allher husband could wish, from the day she was apprized of hisdecision in regard to a matter that had so long been near her heart.He said nothing of the sacrifice he had made, nor intimated anything about what might be the ultimate consequence, although everysober thought of the future awoke a fear. The house, when finished,cost twenty-three thousand dollars; and when furnished twenty-eightthousand. It need not be said that Mr. Tompkins was hard run formoney. On the day he moved into his splendid mansion, he borrowedfrom Mr Wolford, on a mortgage of his new property, fifteen thousanddollars, at twelve percent per annum. He had but one or twoalternatives--to borrow at this ruinous rate of interest, or fail.The operation was for one year, without any privilege of renewal;this was the longest time at which the usurer ever loaned his money.For one year Mrs. John Tompkins was in her glory. She gave six largeparties during that time, at a heavy cost. Her husband,notwithstanding the loan of fifteen thousand dollars, was in troubleabout money matters; Business had been unusually dull both in thespring and fall, and money hard to collect. Nearly ten thousanddollars, which he had fully expected to receive from distantcustomers, failed to come in. As the period for which he hadborrowed from Wolford drew toward its close, he could not but feeluneasy. From no other quarter had he any hope of raising so large asum as fifteen thousand dollars upon his house. He was poring overhis bill-book one day, when the man he had thought of far morefrequently than was pleasant to him, came in. Mr. Tompkins feltuneasy."Ah--how do you do, Mr. Wolford?" said he, affecting a pleased air."Sit down."Wolford looked grave. He had come on business, and to him businessmatters were of serious import. He returned the merchant'ssalutation with formality, seated himself deliberately, and, restinghis hands upon the head of his cane, looked up with a sinisterexpression on his face."A fine day this, Mr. Wolford," said Tompkins."Yes, very fine. How is business?""Dull--terribly dull. I have never known such a business season.There is absolutely nothing doing."Wolford made no reply."I suppose you have plenty of money to lend," remarked the merchant,hardly knowing why he said so."No--not a dollar. It's tight with me as well as it is with you. Andthis brings me to the subject-matter of my visit. You are no doubtaware that, according to the terms of the loan, you are to return myfifteen thousand dollars in a few days?""Yes, I am aware of it. Must you have it all?""Every dollar; and I want three times as much, if I can get it.""I was in hope you would renew the loan, Mr. Wolford.""That's impossible.""I really don't see how I am to raise fifteen thousand dollars in afew days--these times.""You have had long enough to make it up, I am sure. You knew verywell that the loan would come due next week, and that it was onlyfor one year.""Yes, I knew all that, very well.""And yet you are not prepared to pay it?""No, I certainly am not to-day. What I may be in a week is more thanI can tell."Wolford did not want the money he had loaned to Mr. Tompkins--thatis, he had no use for it. But he could never rest contented forany length of time under the reflection that another person wasenjoying his money. He took an insane delight, too, in making othersfeel his power. If Mr. Tompkins had obtained the amount, andtendered it to Wolford, two weeks before it was due, the miser wouldhave, in all probability, solicited him to keep it on even betterterms than at first obtained; but to appear anxious about thematter, was to foreclose all chances of a renewal.CHAPTER III.After Wolford had left the store of Mr. Tompkins, the merchant triedto rally his thoughts, and review the whole matter calmly. Thinking,however, did not make him feel much better. He could not see his wayclear. If the loan were not paid off, his property would, he had notthe least doubt, be sold forthwith, under the mortgage."I was a fool ever to build such a house, and involve myself as Ihave done," he murmured, fretfully. "I wish to my heart it was inthe bottom of the sea. Between my wife's extravagance and thisaccursed usurer, I shall be ruined at last."This was uttered almost involuntarily, but it had the effect to givehis thoughts a new direction. After thinking intensely for sometime, he took a long inspiration, compressed his lips tightly as hebreathed out again, and then said, half aloud, and in a tone ofdecision--"I will not suffer myself to be made a fool of any longer, by wifeor usurer. Mrs. John Tompkins will have to lay aside a portion ofher dignity, or get some other means of supporting it. I am called aman, and I will be a man."On the evening of that day, while seated at the tea-table, Mrs.Tompkins said--"Have you ever noticed, dear, the beautiful equipage of Mrs. VanD----?""The what?""The beautiful establishment of Mrs. Van D----?""What kind of an establishment?"The manner of her husband disturbed the self-satisfaction of Mrs.Tompkins. Her reply was not in so bland a voice."Her carriage and pair, I mean, of course.""No; I never notice such things.""You don't, indeed!""No.""Don't you ever expect to keep a carriage?""I do not.""I am sure you will.""You labour under a mistake, Ellen. I have no such intention.""If I wish for one, I am sure you will gratify me." Mrs. Tompkinsspoke softly and smiled."No--not even to gratify you, Ellen." Mr. Tompkins spoke seriously,and his brow contracted."You built this beautiful house to gratify me.""True--and by doing so have set myself half crazy.""Mr. Tompkins, I don't understand you. You are in a strange moodthis evening.""And so would you be in a strange mood, if you had suffered as muchas I have during the day.""Suffered! What have you suffered about?""Because I built this house.""You speak in riddles. Why do you not explain yourself?" Mrs.Tompkins's voice trembled, and there were tears in her eyes."I will explain myself, Ellen," said her husband, his mannerbecoming serious and earnest: it had been fretful and captiousbefore. "I was weak enough to yield to your urgent desire to have anelegant mansion, as you called it, and build this house, at a veryheavy cost. I knew that I was doing wrong at the time, and that bothyou and I would live to regret the act of folly. But you held thereins, and I suffered myself to be driven. The consequence is, thatI am involved in difficulties, and this house has to be sold withinten days."Mr. Tompkins paused. He wished to see the effect of what he hadsaid. Had an earthquake shaken the house to its foundation, Mrs.Tompkins could not have been more astonished than she was by thisspeech. Her face became deadly pale; she trembled violently fromhead to foot, and panted like a frightened hare. To utter a word inreply was impossible. The husband was startled at the effectproduced, but did not waver an instant in his purpose. Thesuddenness of the annunciation had one good effect: it opened theeyes of Mrs. Tompkins completely. The manner of her husband left nodoubt upon her mind that all he had said was true--that the housewould have to go, spite of all he could do to save it. He might beto blame for getting into difficulties--might have mismanaged hisbusiness--but that could not alter the present position of things.On recovering from the shock occasioned by so astounding adeclaration, she did not resort to any of her old tricks to manageher husband. She felt that they would be useless. As soon as shecould speak, she said, firmly--"Is all this true?""As true as you live and breathe.""And it is my fault?""I am sorry that I cannot say otherwise." There was a good deal offeeling in the husband's tone as he made this reply. "I need notrelate how I strove to convince you that I could not afford to buildsuch a house--that to sell my warehouse property, in order to do so,would be to rob myself of at least seven or eight thousanddollars--for that property would inevitably increase in value thisamount in the next five years. Already it has been sold at anadvance of three thousand dollars on what I received for it. I neednot relate how unhappy you made both yourself and me, until Iconsented to do as you wished. It is all within your remembrance. Aman cannot stand every thing. I had trouble enough, even then, withmy business--but found no compensation at home. In a desperate mood,I resolved to make home pleasant, if possible. I made the sacrifice,and here is the result!"Mrs. Tompkins wept bitterly when her husband ceased speaking. Everyword went to her heart. She saw her folly, nay, her crime, in havingacted as she had done. She was a weak, vain woman, but not allperverted. Notwithstanding rank weeds had long overgrown the gardenof her mind, some plants of goodly promise yet remained.On the next day, without hesitating a moment, Mr. Tompkins went to areal-estate broker, and employed him to sell his house as quickly aspossible. He mentioned this to his wife, as a thing of course, andsuggested the necessity of disposing of their splendid furniture,and retiring from their too prominent position in the social world."There is but one way of safety and peace," he said, "and that waywe must take, whether the entrance to it be smooth or thorny.""Why need we sell our handsome furniture?" asked Mrs. Tompkins, in ahoarse voice."For the same reason that we have for selling our house," firmlyreturned her husband--"because it is necessary."Mr. Tompkins spoke so decidedly, that his wife felt thatremonstrance would be unavailing. Having once admitted the truth ofall he had alleged, she had no ground for opposition. Completelysubdued, she became altogether passive, and left her husband to dojust as he pleased. The pressing nature of his affairs made himprompt to carry out all the reforms he had proposed. In less than aweek he found a purchaser for his house, and was able to sell it ontolerably fair terms. The real-estate agent who had made the salefor him, had left his store but a short time after communicating allthe preliminaries of the transaction, when old Wolford entered witha slow gait and a look of resolution."Will you be ready with that money to-morrow?" said he, fixing hissmall, keen eyes upon the merchant, and bending his brows."No!" was the decisive answer."Then I shall foreclose the mortgage.""You will not do that, certainly," returned Tompkins, in a quiettone, something like a smile playing about his lips."Won't I? Don't trust to that, my friend. I always keep contracts tothe letter, and exact them from others, when made to me, as rigidly.You borrowed my money for a year, on a mortgage of your property.That year is up to-morrow. If the money does not come, I willimmediately have your property sold.""I have been ahead of you," coolly replied Tompkins."What do you mean?""I have already sold the property."The miser seemed stunned by the intelligence."Sold it?," he asked, after a moment--"why have you sold it?""In order to get out of your clutches, now and for ever. You havehad a good deal of my money in your time, and fool enough have Ibeen to let you get your fingers upon it! But you will never getanother dollar from me! You were not content with eighteen hundreddollars a year as the interest on fifteen thousand--wasn't I a foolto pay it?--but you must try to put your foot still more heavily onmy neck! But you have overreached yourself. Your mortgage on myproperty is not worth that!--(snapping his fingers.) Didn't you knowthis before?""What do you mean?" Wolford showed considerable alarm."You took twelve percent per annum?""I know I did.""And that is usury?""It is a fair interest. Money is always worth the market price.""The law says that all over six percent is usury; and the takingof such excess vitiates the transaction.""Do you mean to put in that plea?""Yes, if you take the first step toward foreclosing your mortgage,or show yourself in my store until I send for you, which I will dowhen it is perfectly convenient for me to pay your fifteen thousanddollars, and not before.""Oh, take your time, Mr. Tompkins--take your time--I am in noparticular hurry for the money," said Wolford, with an altered toneand manner--"Just when it is convenient will suit me.""Are you sure of that?" said the merchant, speaking with a slightsneer upon his lip."Oh, yes! I thought I would need the money now, but I believe I willnot. The mortgage can remain as long as you want it.""I don't want it long," muttered Tompkins, turning toward his desk,and taking no further notice of the alarmed and discomfited usurer.In about two weeks he had the pleasure of handing him the wholeamount of the loan, and getting a release of the property. Wolfordtried to be very affable and apologetic; but he was treatedaccording to the merchant's estimation of his real character, andnot otherwise."Free from your clutches, and for ever!" said Mr. Tompkins, speakingto himself, as he stepped into the street from Wolford's dwelling,feeling lighter in heart than he had felt for a long time. "Whatmadness, with the means I have had in my hands, ever to have fedyour avaricious maw!"Although Mr. Tompkins could see the sky by looking upward, he wasstill in the forest, and had a hard journey before him, ere hegained the pleasant champaign he was seeking so eagerly. The cash hereceived on selling his house was barely sufficient to clear it ofall encumbrance. He was, therefore, still hard pressed for money inhis business. The sale of his handsome furniture would help him agood deal, and he determined, resolutely, to have this doneforthwith. His wife ventured a demurrer, which he immediatelyoverruled. She had lost the ability to contend with him. A sale atauction was proposed."Just think of the exposure," urged his wife."I don't care a fig for that. A protested note would be a worseexposure. I must have the money. We can board for a couple or threeyears, or keep house in a plain way, until I make up some of thelosses sustained by our folly."Mrs. Tompkins was passive. A vendue was called, and three thousanddollars in cash realized. This succour came just in time, for itsaved the merchant's credit, and met his pressing demands, until hecould turn the paper given in part payment for his house, intomoney. From that time he began to feel his business resting lessheavily upon his shoulders. Money came in about as fast as he neededit. In a few months he began to have quite a respectable balance inbank--a thing he had not known for years.It was a good while before Mrs. Tompkins could hold up her head insociety, where she had, for some time, held it remarkably high. Shenever carried it as stately as before. As for Wolford, he but seldompassed the store of the merchant: when he did so, it was not withouta pang--he had lost a good customer by grinding him too hard, andcould not forgive himself for the error.