Will It Pay?
"I want an hour of your time this morning," said Mr. Smith, as heentered the counting-room of his neighbour, Mr. Jones."Will it pay?" inquired Mr. Jones, smiling."Not much profit in money," was answered.Mr. Jones shrugged his shoulders, and arched his eye-brows."Time is money," said he."But money isn't the all-in-all of life. There's something else inthe world besides dollars.""Oh yes; and the man that has the dollars can command as much ofthis 'something else' that you speak of as he pleases.""I'm not so sure of that," replied Mr. Smith. "I can tell yousomething that money will not procure.""Say on.""A contented mind.""I'll take that risk at a very low percentage, so far as I amconcerned," answered Mr. Jones."But, as to this hour of my time that you ask? What is the object?""You remember Lloyd who used to do business on the wharf?""Yes; what of him? I thought he died in New Orleans a year ago.""So he did.""Not worth a dollar!""Not worth many dollars, I believe. He was never a very shrewd man,so far as business was concerned, though honourable andkind-hearted. He did not prosper after leaving our city.""Honourable and kind-hearted!" returned Mr. Jones, with a slight airof contempt. "Such men are as plenty as blackberries. I can pointthem out to you by the dozen in every square; but it does not pay tobe on too intimate terms with them.""Why?""You are very apt to suffer through their amiable weaknesses.""Is this your experience?" inquired Mr. Smith."My experience is not very extensive in that line, I flattermyself," said Mr. Jones; "but I know of some who have suffered.""I was speaking of Mr. Lloyd.""Yes--what of him?""I learned this morning that his widow arrived in our cityyesterday, and that she needs friendly aid and counsel. It seems tome that those who knew and esteemed her husband ought not to regardher with indifference. I propose to call upon her and inquire as toher needs and purposes, and I want you to accompany me.""Can't do it," answered Mr. Jones, very promptly."Why not?""It won't pay," returned Mr. Jones."I don't expect it to pay in a business sense," said Mr. Smith;"but, surely, humanity has some claim to consideration.""Humanity! humph. Humanity don't pay, Mr. Smith; that's myexperience. I've helped two or three in my time, and what return doyou suppose I received?""The pleasing consciousness of having done good to your neighbour.""Not a bit of it. I lost my money for my pains, and made enemiesinto the bargain. When I demanded my own, I received onlyinsult--that's my experience, Mr. Smith, and the experience ofninety-nine in a hundred who listen to the so-called claims ofhumanity. As I said before--it doesn't pay.""Then you will not go with me to see Mrs. Lloyd?""No, sir. You don't catch me hunting up the widows of brokenmerchants. Let them go to their own friends. I'd soon have plenty ofrather unprofitable business on my hands, if I were to engage inaffairs of this kind.""I hardly think it will pay to talk with you on this subject anylonger," said Mr. Smith."I'm just of your opinion," was the laughing answer, "unless I caninduce you to let Mrs. Lloyd remain in ignorance of your benevolentintentions, and mind your own concerns, like a sensible man.""Good morning," said Mr. Smith."Good morning," replied Jones; "in a week or two I shall expect tohear your report on this widow-hunting expedition.""It will pay, I reckon," said Mr. Smith, as he passed from thestore."Pay," muttered Jones, a sneer now curling his lip, "he'll have topay, and roundly, too, unless more fortunate than he deserves tobe."A little while after the departure of Mr. Smith, a sallow,sharp-featured man, with a restless eye, entered the store of Mr.Jones."Ah, Perkins!" said the latter, familiarly, "any thing afloatto-day?""Well, yes, there is; I know of one operation that is worth lookingat.""Will it pay, friend Perkins? That's the touchstone with me. Show meany thing that will pay, and I'm your man for a trade.""I can get you fifty shares of Riverland Railroad stock, ateighty-two!""Can you?" The face of Jones brightened."I can.""All right. I'll take it.""Give me your note at sixty days, and I'll have the sharestransferred at once."In five minutes from the time Perkins entered the store of Mr.Jones, he left with the merchant's note for over four thousanddollars in his hand. The shares in the Riverland Railroad had beensteadily advancing for some months, and Mr. Jones entertained notthe shadow of a doubt that in a very short period they would be upto par. He had already purchased freely, and at prices beyondeighty-two dollars. The speculation he regarded as entirely safe,and one that would "pay" handsomely."I think that will pay a good deal better than hunting up the poorwidows of insolvent merchants," said Mr. Jones to himself, as hewalked the length of his store once or twice, rubbing his handsevery now and then with irrepressible glee. "If I'd been led off bySmith on that fool's errand, just see what I would have lost.Operations like that don't go a begging long. But this gentlemanknows in what quarter his interest lies."Not long after the departure of Perkins, a small wholesale dealer,named Armor, came into the store of Mr. Jones."I have several lots that I am anxious to close out this morning,"said he. "Can I do any thing here?""What have you?" asked Mr. Jones."Ten boxes of tobacco, fifty prime hams, ten boxes Havana cigars,some rice, &c."Now, these were the very articles Mr. Jones wanted, and which hewould have to purchase in a day or two. But he affected indifferenceas he inquired the price. The current market rates were mentioned."No temptation," said Mr. Jones, coldly."They are prime articles, all; none better to be had," said thedealer."If I was in immediate want of them, I could give you an order;but"----"Will you make me an offer?" inquired Armor, somewhat earnestly. "Ihave a good deal of money to raise to-day, and for cash will sell ata bargain."Mr. Jones mused for some time. He was not certain whether, in makingor requiring an offer, he would get the best bargain out of hisneedy customer. At last he said--"Put down your prices to the very lowest figure, and I can tell youat a word whether I will close out these lots for you. As I saidbefore, I have a good stock of each on hand."For what a small gain will some men sacrifice truth and honour!The dealer had notes in bank that must be lifted, and he saw no wayof obtaining all the funds he needed, except through forced sales,at a depression on the market prices. So, to make certain of anoperation, he named, accordingly, low rates--considerably belowcost.Mr. Jones, who was very cunning, and very shrewd, accepted theprices on two or three articles, but demurred to the rest, and thesethe most important of the whole. Finally, an operation was made, inwhich he was a gainer, in the purchase of goods for which he hadalmost immediate sale, of over two hundred dollars, while the needymerchant was a loser by just that sum."That paid!" was the self-congratulatory ejaculation of Mr. Jones,"and handsomely, too. I should like to do it over again, about adozen times before night. Rather better than widow speculations--ha!ha!"We shall see. On leaving the store of his neighbour, Mr. Smith wentto the hotel at which he understood Mrs. Lloyd had taken lodgings,and made inquiry for her. A lady in deep mourning, accompanied bytwo daughters, one a lovely girl, not over twenty years of age, andthe other about twelve, soon entered the parlour."Mrs. Lloyd, I believe," said Mr. Smith.The lady bowed. As soon as all parties were seated, the gentlemansaid--"My name is Smith. During your former residence in this city, I waswell acquainted with your husband. Permit me to offer my heartfeltsympathy in the painful bereavement you have suffered."There was a slight pause, and then Mr. Smith resumed--"Hearing of your return to this city, I have called to ask if thereare any good offices that I can render you. If you have any plansfor the future--if you want advice--if a friend in need will be ofservice--do not hesitate to speak freely, My high regard for yourhusband's memory will not suffer me to be indifferent to the welfareof his widow and children."Mr. Smith had not purposed making, when he called, so general atender of service. But there was something in the lady's finecountenance which told him that she had both independence anddecision of character, and that he need not fear an abuse of hisgenerous kindness.Touched by such an unexpected declaration, it was some momentsbefore she could reply. She then said--"I thank you, in the name of my departed husband, for thisunlooked-for and generous offer. Though back in the city, which wasformerly my home, I find myself comparatively a stranger. YesterdayI made inquiry for Mr. Edward Hunter, an old and fast friend of Mr.Lloyd's, and to my pain and regret learned that he was deceased.""Yes, madam; he died about two months ago.""With him I purposed consulting as to my future course of action;but his death has left me without a single friend in the city towhose judgment I can confide my plans and purposes.""Mr. Hunter was one of nature's noblemen," said Mr. Smith, warmly;"and you are not the only one who has cause to mourn his loss. Butthere are others in our city who are not insensible to the claims ofhumanity--others who, like him, sometimes let their thoughts rangebeyond the narrow sphere of self.""My object in returning to this place," resumed Mrs. Lloyd, "was toget started in some safe and moderately profitable business. A shorttime before my husband's removal, by the death of a distant relativeI fell heir to a small piece of landed property, which I recentlysold in New Orleans. By the advice of my agent there, I haveinvested the money in fifty shares of Riverland Railroad stock,which he said I could sell here at a good advance. These shares arenow in the hands of a broker, named Perkins, who is authorized tosell them at eighty-two dollars a share.""He'll find no difficulty in doing that, ma'am. I would have takenthem at eighty-three."At this stage of the conversation, Perkins himself entered theparlour."Ah, Mr. Smith!" said he, "I called at your place of business thismorning, but was not so fortunate as to find you in. I had fiftyshares of Riverland stock, the property of Mrs. Lloyd here, which Ipresumed you would like to buy.""You were not out of the way in your presumption. Have you made thesale?""Oh yes. Not finding you in, I saw Mr. Jones, who took the shares ata word.""At what price?""Eighty-two. I have his note at sixty days for the amount, which youknow is perfectly good.""Mrs. Lloyd need not have the slightest hesitation in accepting it;and if she wishes the money, I can get it cashed for her." Thenrising, he added, "I will leave you now, Mrs. Lloyd, as businessrequires both your attention and mine. To-morrow I will do myselfthe pleasure to call on you again."As Mr. Smith bowed himself out, he noticed, more particularly, thebeautiful smile of the elder daughter, whose eyes, humid fromgrateful emotion, were fixed on his countenance with an expressionthat haunted him for hours afterward."I hardly think that paid," was the remark of Mr. Jones, on meetingMr. Smith some hours afterward."What?" asked the latter."Your visit to Lloyd's widow.""Why do you say so?""You lost a bargain which came into my hands, and on which I couldget an advance of a hundred dollars to-morrow.""Ah, what was it?""Perkins had fifty shares of Riverland stock, which he wasauthorized to sell at eighty-two. He called on you first; butinstead of being on hand, in business hours, you were off on acharity expedition. So the ripe cherry dropped into my open mouth. Itold you it wouldn't pay, neighbour Smith.""And yet it has paid, notwithstanding your prophecy," said Smith."It has!""Yes.""In what way?"But Mr. Smith was not disposed to cast his pearls before swine, andso evaded the direct question. He knew that his mercenary neighbourwould trample under foot, with sneering contempt, any expression ofthe pure satisfaction he derived from what he had done--wouldbreathe upon and obscure the picture of a grateful mother and herdaughter, if he attempted to elevate it before his eyes. It hadpaid, but beyond this he did not seek to enlighten hisfellow-merchant.Three days later, Mr. Jones is at his desk, buried in calculationsof profit and loss, and so much absorbed is he, that he has notnoticed the entrance of Perkins the broker, through whom he obtainedthe stock from Mrs. Lloyd."How much of the Riverland Railroad stock have you?" inquired thebroker, and in a voice that sent a sudden fear to the heart of themerchant."A hundred shares. Why do you ask?" was the quick response."I'm sorry for you, then. The interest due this day is notforthcoming.""What!" Mr. Jones starts from his desk, his lips pale and quivering."There's something wrong in the affairs of the company, it iswhispered. At any rate, the interest won't be paid, and the stockhas tumbled down to thirty-five dollars. If you'll take my adviceyou'll sell. The first loss is usually the best in these cases--thatis my experience."It is very plain that one operation hasn't paid, for all its goldenpromise--an operation that would hardly have been effected by Mr.Jones, had he accompanied Mr. Smith on the proposed visit to Mrs.Lloyd. The fifty shares of stock, which came, as he thought, soluckily into his hand, would, in all probability, have become theproperty of another.And not a week glided by ere Mr. Jones became aware of the fact thatanother operation had failed to pay. A cargo of coffee and sugararrived one morning; the vessel containing it had been looked fordaily, and Mr. Jones fully expected to receive the consignment; hewas not aware of the arrival until he met the captain in the street."Captain Jackson! How are you? This is really an unexpectedpleasure!" exclaimed the merchant, as he grasped the hand of theindividual he addressed, and shook it warmly.Captain Jackson did not seem equally gratified at meeting themerchant. He took his hand coldly, and scarcely smiled in return."When did you arrive?" asked Mr. Jones."This morning.""Indeed! I was not aware of it. For over a week I have beenexpecting you."The captain merely bowed."Will you be around to my store this afternoon?" asked Mr. Jones."I presume not."There was now, on the part of Mr. Jones, an embarrassed pause. Thenhe said--"Shall I have the sale of your cargo?""No, sir," was promptly and firmly answered."I have made the consignment to Armor.""To Armor!" exclaimed Mr. Jones, in ill-concealed surprise."He's a perfectly fair man, is he not?" said the captain."Oh yes. Perfectly fair. He'll do you justice, without doubt. StillI must own to being a little disappointed, you were satisfied withthe way your business was done last time.""Not altogether, Mr. Jones," said Captain Jackson. "You were alittle too sharp for, me--rather too eager, in securing your ownadvantage, to look narrowly enough to mine. Such was my impression,and it has, been confirmed since my arrival this morning.""That's a grave charge, Captain Jackson," said Mt. Jones; "You mustexplain yourself.""I'm a plain spoken, and a straightforward sort of a man, sir." Thecaptain drew himself up, and looked particularly dignified. "Thetruth is, as I have said, I thought you were rather too sharp for methe last time. But I determined to try you once more, and to watchyou as closely as a cat watches a mouse. I was on my way to yourstore, when I met an old friend, in business here, and, put to himthe direct question as to what he thought of your fairness in trade.'He's sharp,' was the answer. 'He will not take an undue advantage?'said I. 'Your idea as to what constitutes an undue advantage wouldhardly agree with that of Mr. Jones,' replied my friend. And then herelated the circumstance of your finding Armor in a tight place lastweek, and getting from him a lot of goods for two hundred dollarsless than they were worth. I went to Armor, and, on his confirmingthe statement, at once placed my cargo in his hands. The commissionswill repair his loss, and give him a few hundred dollars over. I'mafraid of men who are too sharp in dealing. Are you satisfied withmy explanation?""Good morning, sir," said Mr. Jones."Good morning," returned, Captain Jackson. And bowing formally, thetwo men separated.That didn't pay," muttered Jones between his teeth, as he moved onwith his eyes cast to the ground, even in his chagrin andmortification using his favourite word--"No, it, didn't pay," And, in truth, no operations of this kind doreally pay. They may seem to secure advantage, but always result inloss--if not in lose of money, in loss of that which should bedearer to a man than all the wealth of the Indies--his self-respectand virtuous integrity of character.On the evening of that day, a pleasant little company was assembledat the house of Mr. Smith, made up of the merchant's own family andthree guests--Mrs. Lloyd and her daughters. Through the advice ofMr. Smith, and by timely action on his part, a house of moderatecapacity had been secured, at a great bargain, for the sum of threethousand dollars, to which it was proposed to remove, as soon asfurniture, on the way from New Orleans, should arrive. The firststory of this house was already fitted up as a store; and, as theobject of Mrs. Lloyd was to get into business in a small way, thepurchase of the property was made, in order as well to obtain a goodlocation as to make a safe investment. With the thousand dollarsthat remained, it was proposed to lay in a small stock of fancydry-goods.In the few interviews held with Mrs. Lloyd by the merchant, he wasstruck with the beautiful harmony of her character, and especiallywith her womanly dignity. As for the eldest daughter, somethingabout her had charmed him from the very beginning. And now when, forthe first time, this interesting family were his guests for a socialevening--when he saw their characters in a new aspect--and when hefelt, through the quick sympathy of a generous nature, how gratefuland happy they were--he experienced a degree of satisfaction such asnever pervaded the breast of any man whose love of mere gain was themeasure of his good-will toward others.How different was the social sphere in the house of Mr. Jones onthat evening! The brow of the husband and father was clouded, andhis lips sealed in silence; or if words were spoken, they were inmoody tones, or uttered in fretfulness and ill-nature. The wife andchildren caught from him the same repulsive spirit, and, in theirintercourse one with the other, found little sympathy or affection.There was a chilling shadow on the household of the merchant; itfell from the monster form of his expanding selfishness, that wasuplifted between the sunlight of genuine humanity and the neighbourhe would not regard. Alas! on how many thousands and thousands ofhouseholds in our own land rests the gigantic shadow of thismonster!"Will it pay?" is the eager question we hear on all sides, as wemingle in the business world."Has it paid?" Ah, that is the after-question! Reader, is themonster's shadow in your household? If so, it has not paid.
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