The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man/Chapter XVI
CHAPTER XVI.
ANOTHER RICH MERCHANT'S H0USE.
"I will go straight to Mr. Beckwith's," thought Aikin, as he left Finley's; "it is late, to be sure, but never too late nor too early with him to do a kind act." Mr. Beckwith was one of a very rich firm, who employed Aikin as their carman. He rung at the door, and was admitted by Jacob, a coloured man, who had grown gray in Mr. Beckwith's service.
"Walk in, sir," said he, civilly, leading the way to the drawing-room, where Mrs. Beckwith, with her cloak on, was sitting beside her eldest daughter, warming her feet, while her two eldest sons sat at the table drawings As Aikin entered, Mrs. Beckwith saluted him civilly, as she would any other stranger; and, while one of the young men rose to set a chair for him, she made some courteous remarks upon the weather and walking; and then, after Jacob had returned, and said Mr. Beckwith would be down directly, she resumed the conversation with her daughter, which Aikin's entrance had interrupted.
"Did you find Madame Felix very ill, mother?" asked the young lady.
"Very ill, Susan, and wanting every thing: no wood, no comforts of any sort. The poor man has money due to him, but he says he cannot get it."
"Why didn't he let us know their condition sooner?"
"Ah, Susan, it's very hard for such a man to beg."
"But it should not be called begging, shoild it, mother? If, as you and father say, we are all children of one family, when one wants what another has to spare, I do not see why the one should not ask, or the other should think it such a mighty favour to give."
"You have the right feeling about it, my dear; but the difficulty is to reconcile the charities of life with the spirit of independence and self-reliance which is so necessary to industry and exertion: but where is Louisa?"
"She is sitting with mammy: her head has been much worse since you went out, and Louisa will not leave her."
"I am glad of it: many a night has mammy sat by your bedsides, patiently watching over you. But, Kate," added the mother, for the first time espying a child of eight years watching the proress of her brothers' drawing, "how happens it you are up yet?"
"Oh, mother, we have had such a funny time, planning houses!"
"Planning houses! what do you mean?"
An explanation followed, by which it appeared that Mr. Beckwith contemplated building a block of houses, to rent to those who could afford to pay only a low rent. The houses were to contain every convenience and comfort compatible with a reasonable per centage on the money invested. Mr. Beckwith had set his children to drawing plans for these houses, not so much to test their skill in draughting as their knowledge of the wants of the poor, and their zeal for their accommodation. Kate amused herself with relating the various failures and successes of the boys—how one had left out the chimneys and the other the windows—to all which Aikin listened with eager interest, notwithstanding the pressing nature of his business.
Not so much time had passed as has been occupied in relating this scene, when Mr. Beck with appearedy and, after speaking to Aikin, turned to his wife, saying, "My dear, this is my friend Aikin, of whom you have often heard me speak." Mrs. Beckwith's countenance lighted up with that expression so common when a person is first introduced to a stranger for whom favourable impressions are entertained. Aikin, modest man that he was, was gratified with this involuntary tribute. How many opportunities of strengthening the bonds of human brotherhood by a friendly look, or a kind word, are passed by and lost for ever! "Lo! is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man." Aikin communicated his business to Mr. Beckwith, and without any delay they were on their way to the police-office, where Aikin told as much of Paulina's story to Mr. Justice H—— as he deemed necessary for the purposes of justice; and the said justice being more moved than was his wont by Aikin's appeal in Paulina's behalf, and authorized by the assurance of so substantial a person as Beckwith, of the great firm of B. B. and Co., in his reliance on Aikin's testimony; and, moreover, having already appeased the demands of justice by the detection and apprehension of the gang associated with Smith, vouchsafed to assure Aikin that, provided the black trunk was forthcoming in the morning, no proceedings should be instituted against Paulina.
"Good night, Mr. Beckwith," said Aikin, as he parted from his friend at the corner of the street—"I am obliged to you."
"Oh, no, no, Aikin—I am the person obliged; for I go to bed the happier for having done you this service."
Aikin was a reflecting man—and, as he walked hurriedly home, eager to relieve Paulina of a part of her miserable burden, he made many reflections upon the different scenes he had witnessed that evening—at his own home—in Paulina's room—at Morris Finley's—and at Mr. Beckwith's; and he was confirmed in his previous conclusion, that riches consist not in the abundance of possessions, nor poverty in their scantiness; that the mind is the treasure-house; and, finally, that Paulina, though poor indeed, was not much poorer than Morris Finley and his wife.