JENKINS & CO.; OR, THE EGOTIST. CHAPTER X.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 75, 8 November 1884, Page 4

JENKINS & CO.; OR, THE EGOTIST.

CHAPTER X.

A NOVEL BY E. WERNER. Author of "Students Manuel of German Literature," "Chronological Guide to English Literature," Sec.

A SACRIFICE. Ok the following morning the two brothers went to tho study of the elder one after breakfast to be alone together. Sandow sat at the writing table ; his face wox'e an expression which had not rested on it for years — a glimmer of the happiness of earlier days, but his brow was clouded as he talked to his brother, who leant against the window near him. " So you really mean to desert me, and take Jessie away with you to Germany ? I hoped, now that Clifford's daughter was to be yours, that you would fulfil his dearest wish and be his successor. You need not wholly drop your pen for that ; tho principal burden of the work will rest on my shoulders as before. Our press is more powerful and influential than yours ; you will find a wider and freer field here than at home. Take it into consideration." " It needs no consideration," said Gustav, decidedly. "I can only use my own inteiestand power of work in one cause ; merchant and journalist would never do. But, however large the intellectual field might be here, the roots of my w hole life are so deeply set in my old home that I could have no active existence elsewhere. i\nd as to our partnership, w e should never agree. For a few weeks I could endure to be silent and wear the mask of a subordinate, as I did not wish to cause a breach for Frieda's sake. But now, Frank, I must tell you plainly that your business practices, your whole commercial customs and ways, would not suit me at all. They have led you into partnership Mith a Jenkins, and that is judgment enough on them." Sandow did not turn on him, as he would have done formerly at such a declaration ; his frown only grew deeper. " You look at the thing from your standpoint, and I from mine. Your calling gives you freedom of view and action ; I stand in the midst of more or less conflicting interests, and cannot always choose my means. Man is seldom the master of his circumstances. I wish " he said, and paused for a moment, then went on hurriedly, "I wish I had not gone into this partnership with Jenkins. It is done now, and I cannot get out of it." " Can't you ? Is there no Avay out?" "I told you I had invested hundreds of thousands in the speculation, and that they are risked if the thing does not succeed, or if I withdraw from it." " Then you must withdraw at the risk of that loss. Sandow looked at him as if he could not believe his ears. "At the risk of such a loss as that? Are you in earnest ? Have you any idea what such a sum means? I have done what I could, I have tried to separate from Jenkins on good terms — to my own detriment, for he became suspicious. In his last letter he asked, in unmistakable mistrust, whether I needed the capital so much that I must withdraw it at any cost. He seems to think I have had losses, doubts my credit perhaps, and that is the worst that can happen to a merchant. I must go into the thing with all my might to make up for my want of foresight." "I brought you your child ye&terday," paid Gustav, gravely, "and I think you have gained more thereby than you can lose on this. For Frieda's sake I hoped you would withdraw from a speculation which must prevent you from looking your daughter straight in the face." Sandow turned impatiently away, and his voice took the old hard tone as he answered : "For Frieda's sake! Shall I make my new-found child poor? Shall I rob her of half of her fortune ?" '• She would have enough with the other half, and I do not believe the whole would bring any blessing if bought at such a price." "Hold your tongue! you do not understand it. A retreat at all risks such as you propose is impossible, so I will not here another word on the subject. Of course, I release you from your promise, for now I know you, I am sure you have not written that article." "The first is ready," replied Gustav coldly. "It will certainly be the last; one is enough for that purpose. I meant to give you the manuscript this morning. Here it is." He drew out some written sheets and passed them to his brother, who took them doubtfully, and looked at them in questioning uncertainty. " Read them," said Gustav shortly. Sandow began to read, slowly at first, then hurriedly ; he turned the pages over with trembling hands and skimmed through them. His face turned redder and redder as he went on, and when half way through he pitched the manuscript on to the writingtable. " Are you mad ? You have written that ? You mean to publish that ? What you are revealing to the world is too fearful." Gustav drew himself up to his full height and went closer to his brother. " Fearful, yes it is ! And the most dreadful thing is that it is true. I was there on the spot, and can prove every word that I have written. Draw back while there is time, Frank. This article published in the C Gazette, and reprinted by the whole German press, cannot help but have its effect. The attention of the Consulate of the Ministry will be drawn to it ; it will be laid to Jenkins's charge, or, at any rate, care will be taken that no more fall into his hands unwarned." "You are very proud of the prospective effects of your pen," exclaimed Sandow, enraged. "You forget that I, too, am copartner in that property which you describe so abominably, and that every word is directed against the fortune and honour of your brother. You not only ruin me by it, but you show me up to all the world as a knave." " No, I do not, for you will cut loose from this company of knaves, and I shall be able to add that my brother, who joined the speculation unwittingly, has withdrawn from it purposely, at great pecuniary loss, when his eyes were opened to its injurious effects. Tell your partner so, if you are afraid that he will turn it against your credit. The truth is every way best in this case." "And you think that Jenkins would credit me, the merchant, head of Clifford & Co., with such a mad whim? He would simply think I had lost my senses." " Possibly, as these honourable men have no conscience themselves, they cannot understand that anybody else is troubled with one. All the same, you must try your best," Sandow paced the room in evident agitation for some time, then stood still, and spoke with catching breath ;

" You do not know what it is to put your hand in a wasp's nost. You will bo safo enough from their stings in Europe, but I must bide out their revenge here. Jenkins will never forgive me if my name is mixed up with such a revolation. Ho has influence enough to set all who are in any way connected with the affair against me, and there are hundreds. You don't know the iron chain of interests which surrounds and connects us here. One depends on the other, and one supports the other. VYoc to him who frees himself from it of his own accord, and offers combat to his old companions. They all swear to ruin him. Ilis credit will be undermined, his schemes frusti'ated, and he himself libelled and persecuted till he is done for, I cannot endure such attacks just now. Jessie's fortune will be lost to the firm, and I havo enfeebled my own means with this undertaking ; if it should fail it would bo the beginning of ruin for me. I have spoken as frankly to you as you have spoken to mo. Now go and publish your revelation to the world." Ho stopped, choked with agitation. Gustav gazed blankly before him, and the frown on his brow was deeper and more anxious than ever. " I did not know you were so hemmed in on all sides as that. That comes of your unfortunate way of doing business. Now," he said laying his hand on the manuscript, " tear up^these sheets ; I will not write it again. I will be silent on the matter if you say that my words would ruin you. But on your head be the consequonces. On you rest the responsibility for every man that succumbs to the effect of that fevor-swamp of yours." "Gustav, you ai*o top hard on mo," groaned Sandow, sinking into a chair. The door was quietly opened, and a servant announced that the carriage w as at the door, which always took the gentlemen at that hour to town. Gust" - - i " * man to go away, then bent over his brother, saying :— "You cannot decide now, you must be calmer. Let me go to the office alone today as your representative. You arc agitated and exhausted ; you have gone through too much since yesterday." Sandow gave a muto feign of consent ; ho felt that he was not in a fit state that day to show his subordinate his usual, calm business ability. But when his brother had already reached the dooi", he called out suddenly, " One thing more — not a word of this to Frieda. Do not bring her into the field against me, or you will drive me to desperation." "Let your mind be at re^t, I dare not," said Gustav, as itli marked emphaM.-. "It would estrange 30111- child.> only half-won heart from you perhaps for ever. G ood-byo, Frank." About an hour later Frieda entered her father's study, w hero he was still pacing restlessly up and down. She started w hen she saw him, for his face showed the maiks of tho struggle he had gone through in that hour. He did his utmost to hide his agitation, and to turn off his daughter's questions with a pretence of illness, but she saw the feverish agitation he was in. The young girl was still too much of a stranger to her father to force a confidence from him by entreaties which he did not give her of his own free will, but she saw with secret anxiety the dark shadow which had conic over him now, when all should have been joy and reconciliation. Gustav camo in suddenly with his betrothed on his arm. He seemed to have just arrived from, town, for he still had his hat and gloves in hLs hand, but he had hardly been away an hour. "I bring Jessio with me," he said in his usual gay manner, " and as Frieda is here we can hold a family council in your study. You are surprised that I am here so soon, Frank ? I\\ ished to relieve you of all business to-day, but I am obliged to appeal to you for a decision after all. I found a couple of emigrants at the office w ho insisted on speaking to you, and as you were not coming to town, I brought the people out here." "Yes, Gustav brought them in his own carriage," added Jessie, who had been somewhat annoyed at seeing her lover Avith these rough peasants dii\e up in tho Clifford's elegant equipage. "They aie Germans, countrymen from our far-off narrow home," interrupted Gustav, quickly. "They would probably not have found the way to the villa alone, so I thought it was be?t to bring them." "It was quite unnecessary," said Sandow, both restlessly and unwillingly, for he dreaded a last decisive attack, "The affair might havo waited till to-morrow. What have I personally to do with the emigrants ? They can learn everything they want to know at the office. You have really brought them all out here?" I "Yes, all except Jenkins & Cos. agent. ! I left him at the office. He was here yesterday, and wanted to speak to you. I gave him an appointment for this morning at the office, and I came home directly to get tho people out of his way, for he would not have let them .see you until he had thoroughly posted you up, as he expressed it. You will l'eceive them ? I have promised them an interview with you." Without giving his brother time to reply, he opened the door of the next room, and admitted the men who were already waiting there. The two girls wanted to go 1 away when they heard that business was to be discussed, but Gustav caught Jessie's arm, and whispered to her and his niece : "Stay — you e&pecially, Frieda, I want you." The strangers meanwhile had come in. They were three men, powerful-looking peasants, with sunburnt faces and hard hands. The eldest, a middle-aged man, looked pretty well off from his appearance and dre&s. The two others were younger, and looked shabbier. They remained bashfully in the doorway, while their leader quietly took some steps forward into the room. "That is my brother," said Gustav, pointing him out. " You may speak quite openly to him. Only he can give you proper advice in these circumstances." " God save you, Mr Sandow !" began the farmer in plain Gorman with a strongly marked provincial accent. "We are glad to find German fellow-countrymen here, with whom we can speak an honest word or two. At your office, where we went to look for you, they wanted to dismiss us, or to keep us out of the way, so that it was lucky your brother came. He took us straight away, and was very rude to the agent who would not let us come to you. But ho was right : we have no more confidence in any of the band." Sandow had risen ; he saw tho storm coming, and threw a reproachful look at the brother who had thus entrapped him. But the merchant saw that he must not let a stranger perceive the position he was in, and outwardly showed all the calmness of the business-man as he inquired : "What do you want with me, and what must I advise you on ?" The countryman looked at his two companions as if he expected they, too, would come forward and speak ; but as they remained silent, and only signed to him to go on, he continued his speech. *• We are in an awkward fix, and do not see our way out of it. We were recommended to Jenkins and Co. before we started from Germany, and their agent received us when we landed in New York,

They promised us mountains of gold, and at Mr Jenkins's o'.h'ce they told us this earthly paradise was out West. On our journey here, however, wo met two Germans who had lived for years in America, and thoy sang quite another tune. They warned us to take care of ourselves with this Jenkins and his western paradise Ho was the worst of swindlers, and had brought misfortune on thousands, We should be ruined, every man Jack of us, in his forests, and a good many other fino things thoy told us; so wo got puzzled. The agent, who was travelling in another carriage, was in a rago whon wo told him about it ; but, as I said before, we don't trust him, and wish to bo more sure before wo travel somo hundred miles farther West." fiustav, mlio stood near his betrothed, listoned with apparont calmness. Jossie looked anxious ; she did not understand tho connection, but suspected that there was something moro in it than a more business affair. Frieda, on the contrary, listened breathlessly to every word, it was so strangely connected with the conversation she had had with her father some week? before. But what had he to do with this emigration business? "Wo were taken to your bank, Mr Sandow," continued tho farmer, "to sign tho contract, and pay for tho land. We heard at the hotel that you were a Gorman, and came from our own neighbourhood. So I went to tho others and I told them, ' Boys, wo need not bothor about it any more. Wo will go to our fellow-country-man and tell him tho whole affair. lie is a German, and will surely have a conscience, so he will not send his fellow-countrymen to certain ruin.' " If Sandow had hitherto not fully realised how far he had sinned in this speculation ho learnt it now, and the Avords of tho simple peasant burnt into his> soul as the bitterest reproaches would not have done, lie was on the rack, and the worst was yet to come. Frieda stole to his side. Ho did not look at her, lie could not at that moment, but he felt her anxious, questioning look, and how the hand trembled w Inch clasped his. "Now, you two como and talk," said the farmer turning half angrily to his companions who had left him in the lurch in the affair. "You havew ives and children too, and have ventured your all on the journey. Yes, Mr Sandow, there aro poor devils amongst us who possess nothing but their arms, and have to pay their way a\ ith their work. Some of us aic better off, and we think one should help another in tho new colony. There aro about eighty of us, and a dozen or so of children amongst the number, and it a\ ould go ill A\ith the little ones if our noAv* homo were as bad as all that comes to. So you decide for us, sir. If you tell us to go, then in God's name we will travel on to-morrow morning, and all will go well. It must have been the good God Himself that sent us to you, and Aye thank Him for it with all our hearts " Sandow leant heavily on tho tablo by Avhich he stood. "With the whole power of his a\ ill he forced himself to repress all external signs of agitation. How fearful the inward strugglo mu&t bo only Gustav knew, and he hastened to fill in the painful pause a\ hich ensued after these words. "You need not be afraid," he said, raising his voice, "You see my brother has a child himself, an only daughter, and knows what the life and health of your little ones mu.se bo to you. You may follov* his advico unreservedly. Noav, Frank, what do you ad\isc our countrymen to do ?" Sandow looked at the three men, whose eyes were raised anxiously but trustfully to his face, then he looked down at his daughter, and suddenly drawing himself up, he said : "Do not go there." The peasants drew back and looked first at each other, and then at tho merchant Avho had given them such unexpected advice. "But you are a shareholder in tho company yourself !" ciied one, and tho others, added, "Yes, yes, you aro one of them yourself." " I was deceived as to the circumstances myself," explained Sandow. "I have only just received further details as to these lands, in which lam in fact a shareholder, but I know that they aro not suited for colonisation. I will therefore draw up no contract a\ ith you, because I intend to resign my duties., and Avithdraw from the Avhole aftair." The Germans had no suspicion Avhat a sacrifice their compatriot was making for them, or at Avhat a high price their silvation was bought. They looked troubled and perplexed, and their leader said with a disturbed countenance : " That is a queer story. Wo have made this long journey and paid for it, and here avo aro fa&t in America. We cannot go back, and we must not go forward, and w e seem to be cheated and sold in a strange land. Mr Sandow, you must give us advico. You mean well by us I can see, or else you Avould not fly in iaco of your own interest in this Avay. Tell us what Aye must do." A deep troubled sigh rose from the merchant's breast. He was to be spared nothing, not even this last blow, but he had gone too far already, and must carry out Avhat he had begun. "Go to the German Consul in our toAvn here," he replied, " and tell him tho Avhole affair. I believe a German company has been formed in Now York for colonising the West, Avhich is under the patronage ot the consulate. This property does not lie A r ery far from tho original end of your journey ; tho Avay there Avill bo almost the same. Other particulars you can learn from the Consul ; you can trust him unreservedly, and he Avill do his utmost for you." The farmer's brow cleared, and his companions, too, looked relieved. " Thank God, that is the Avay out of it !" he said Avith a deep breath of relief. "We av3ll start directly, as Aye have no time to lose. And we aro much obliged to you, sir, and to that young gentleman there. It is ■very honest of you to AvithdraAV irom that swindle, as aio see it must be one, even though you Avill not say po. May God reward you for Avhat you have done for us, and for our wives and children." He held out his hand to the merchant, Avho took it mechanically, and the few shoit Avords of farewell he said to the people sounded equally mechanical. Gustav, on the contrary, shook them all three energetically by the hand, and called loudly for a servant, whom he ordered to take the strangers to the German Consulate, and only leaA^e them whon thoy reached the door. When they were gone, BandoAV threw himself into a seat ; the agitation he had so struggled to suppress now would have Avay, and ho almost broke doAvn. " Father, for Heaven's sake what is the matter with you ?" cried Frieda, embracing him anxiously, but now Gustav came forward, his whole face glowing with triumph. "Let him alone, Frieda, it will soon be over. You can be proud of your father with a good right now. Frank, from the moment our countrymen stood here before you, I knew you would warn them against that speculation of youra ; but that you would have recommended the m r al company, who wrote such a violent article against Jenkins & Go. in the New York ' Revolver ' x^ecently, I did not believe, and I must shake hands with you for it." But Sandow shrunk back, and pressed his daughter to hi 3 breast. The expression on his face was still very bitter, as he said ; J

" You do not know what Gustav, too, has dono, my child, and what this hour may cost your father. From this time forth Jenkins will bo my irreconcileable enemy, and will nover rest in his attacks on me. I have put mysolf too much in his power." "Throw tho whole thing overboard and come with us to Germany," exclaimed Gustav. " Why should you let yourself bo bothered and persecuted by these respectablo New Yorkers, when you can come in peace and be happy there ? When Jessie is married tho name of Clifford will disappear, why not tho firm too ? You will lose by withdrawing from the whole affair, it is true, but for Gorman society you will still be rich enough, and outlets for your energies will not be wanting." " What an offer to make to me ?" roturned Sandow discontentedly. "Exactly the same you mado when you sent for me hero. I believe wo had better decido the thine; at once Look how Frieda's face lights up at tho thought of home. Of course, sho will never again leave her father's side, wherever he may choose to livo, but if you stay hero you may bo sure sho will some day die of homosickness." Gusfcav had cleverly touched the right spring. Sandow, quito shocked, lookod at his daughtor, whose eyes had sparkled when a return homo was mentioned, and whoso head now sunk in resignation. " Come, Jessie," said Gustav offering her his arm. "Wo will leave those two alono. I must explain it all to you thoroughly, for I see you only half understand, besides which I again feel a pressing necessity to bo admhed by you once more. 1 enjoyed it so very much yesterday. " Ho drew her away, and father and daughter were alono. Fiicda needed no such explanation as Jessie did. She had guessed tho connection of it all, and nestling closer to hor father, sho .said tenderly : " I knew it all when -uo were both down by the sea; you could ne\ er send anyono to certain inisciy. " Sandow lookod long and thoughtfully into the dark cyc.s that were now shining up at him full of tender admiration. For tho first timo he could return their gaze without fear of shame or icproach, and he felt it liko some saving power. " No, my child," he said in a low voice, " I could not do it ; and what comes next we must bear as we can," Meanwhile Gu-lav and Je.-sie were walking up and clow n the gaidcn, arm-in-arm, and at ihst their conversation Mas very giavc lie told her everything, excusing his brother as far as possible, by making him the victim of a deception which had only jiiht been re/caled to him. When ho had finished Jessie exclaimed cnthusias tically, "Gtistuv, if my fortune, too, is involved in thib affair, it stands to reason that wo place it unreservedly at your brother's disposal for as long a& he lequires it." " Your fortune is altogether out of the game," explained Gustav. "Whatever Frank may have been as a speculator, ho was a most conscientious guardian. He has fully respected the ■ clauses in your father's will. You arc and will be an heiress, Jc.-sie ; unfortunately I cannot help that, but nevertheless I am quite resolved to marry you in spite of that misfortune, and in four weeks too." "Quito impossible," protested Jessie. " There aie far too many preparations and anangements to be made. You must yourself see the time is too shoit." "I feee nothing of the sort," declared Gustav. "My brother will see after the business, and tho rest can be done in time. Everything is dono by steam in this America ot yours— speculating, growing rich, living and dying too. Ido not object to tho ways of the land in this instance, as they can be applied to marrying as well, and I, as your future tyrant, insist that you shall be my -wife in four weeks." Jessie did not seem to rebel \ery energetically against this tyianny, and after some demur she agreed, smiling and blushing an hile hor lover said : "I can at least stand by my brother when the first of the storm break?, and we shall not have long to wait for that. They will find out all about it at tho Consulate, and by this evening tho whole town -will know it. The amiable agent, the admirer of my journalistic ability, will first tear his hair, and then .send telegram upon telegram to New York. I wish I could sec Jenkins and Co. breathing out fire and flame, and do\ oting me to the low est depths of hell. God willing, 1 hope to give them that pleasure oflencr when my articles appear. They shall learn to know the fun they -wish to buy." "But do you really think my guardian can free himself from all his liabilities?" asked Jessie. "He must at any cost! Under present circumstances lie has no choice left, and he is merchant enough to save as much as is possible. Jenkins "will certainly lead him a life of it— -and so much tho better, lie will be obliged then to think of Germany, and v o shall win him back again. Jle cannot and dare not fall back into his old speculative fever, and tho temptations are too gi eat here : ho might take to it again. The ice is broken now, and Fiicda lias something so biUk and fresh in her that we can trust the rest to her. 1 give you my word, she will bring her father homo again before many years arc gone." They had now reached tho shore, and stood by Hie beach where Frieda had sat that evening. Before them lay tho sunlit sea. Gustav pointed to it as lie placed his other arm round his future bride. "Thoro lies my fatherland, Jessie. In a few weeks it w ill bo yours too, and yon w ill learn to lovo it, for it was 1 your mother's homo. What my brother said this morning may bo true— that the intellectual field hero offers wider and freer scope than ours, that men rise more rapidly, and win hotter results with tho pen. With us, now, we have to hold our banners aloit in a hot conflict, and devote the best powers of our lives to it. But I will do it joyfully and with my whole heatt, and ask for no other reward than that, Jcssio, my beloved wife, shall be content with her " Egotist." THE END.