CHAPTER XIV. A YOUNG MAN'S PLANS.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 138, 23 January 1886, Page 3

CHAPTER XIV. A YOUNG MAN'S PLANS.

* f Wiii you truly ?" Grtce questioned, eagerly. "If you will I promise to wear them when Igo sleigh-riding, and I know they will be juet as comfortable as can be." A shrewd smile hovered about the old maid's thin lipp, and, bobbing her corkscrew curls back and forth, she said in a meaning tone : "You shall have them, dear— you shall have them." And let us add just here that before the first snow fell, there came to her Fifth Avenue home a little box directed to Mies Grace Campbell and postmarked " Starkeyville. Me." "My mittens !" she cried, with the merriest laugh in the world, as soon as her glance fell upon » hat postmark, while she expected, upon opening the box, to find a pair of coarse clumsy ones like the stockings which she had seen the woman knitting. But what was her astonishment to find instead & dainty pair made of the loveliest shade of blue silk, beautifully fine and even such as only experienced fingers like Miss Starkey's could fashion. " I tell you; mamma, there is more in that queer old maid than any of us imagined," said the delighted girl; "and I am going this minute to write her a letter, and tall her how pleased 1 am. ' Rich, who had won her favour by his manly conduct, also received a pair of fine woollen hose, which he put carefully away with his fishing suit, to be ready for trouting next summer. About Christmas-time two boxes, containing some pretty reminders of the season, went flying over the rails to Starkey ville to gladden the hearts of the quaint brother and sister, who scarcely knew what Christmas meant except in name. The morning after Grace Campbells apology the steamer reached her destina tion, and our JNew York friends turned their faces toward the great metropolis, while George Washington Starkey and his sister, with others, kept on. to " do " all of the great lakes before returning to their home. During the next two years Rich devoted himself assiduously to study, and at the end of that time was examined and admitted to Yale College, where he remained for the succeeding four years, and closed his college career by graduating second in his class. Then, after six weeks' trip to California and the Yosemite with a tutor and two or three classmates, he returned to New York, intending to spend a year abroad with Miss Waldemar before settling down to the real business of his life. But there came a crash in the financial affairs of the country about that time, which disarranged, these plans, and which was to prove of what kind of stuff Richmond Waldemar was made, and to give him a chance to see what he could do for himself and the fair, sweet woman whom he loved as well as he could have loved his own mother. Audrey Waldemar had always supposed herself to be independently rich. Not a thought or care had ever disturbed her regarding her future in a pecuniary way. She had never known a need or wish that could not be gratified, and had always been as free and generous with her money as if her purse had been inexhaustible. She had not,howeTor, exceeded her income — her man of business had taken care of that— but she had never thought of being at all saving of it, since she knew that each quarter would bring its accustomed supply. But one day her lawyer called upon her and informed her that, beyond a few hundred dollars, she was penniless. After remaining in New York three or four years, Audrey had resolved to sell her large estate in the country. She had tried going back there to spand a couple of summers, but somehow she felt very gloomy and lonely in the great house, and preferred to travel or visit seme quiet mountain retreat duriug the warm weather. It seemed all folly to keep the place and leave it shut up the year round, while of course it was a continual expense, co it had been sold, and the proceeds invested in stocks. But now a bank, in which Miss Wademar was a heavy stockholder, suddenly suspended payment, and it was declared that the assets were only sufficient to pay ten cents on the dollar. Then there was a Western rail-road in which Audrey had a number of shareß It had paid alargedividendfor along time, but during the last year or two had been running behind hand at a fearful rate until now its stock was considered almost worthless, AM this was astounding news to her ; she could not comprehend it, and was so disturbed that she could not decide upon what course to pursue. "I suppose my railroad stock possess little marketable value now," she Baid to Mr Hostner, her lawyer. " Even if it could be sold, it would net but a very small sum just now." ''If I should diepose of it for what I could get, and take ten cents on the dollar for my bank stock, how much would all net me?" Audrey asked. "Very little— so little that I hesitate to name the probable sum ; less than you have been accustomed to spend in a year," he answered, reluctantly. " And if I should let matters rest a? they are, is at all probable that they will better themselves in the future ?" " Barely possible. Indeed, I should say it is extremely doubtful. However, I feel somewhat sensitive, since I have been acting for yon, and I will allow you five per cent, more than their market value on your railroad stocks, and trust to luck in getting my money back." Mr flosmer seemed to feel as if to some extent he was to blame for the calamity. " Well, I am not in a condition to-day to decide the matter," Audrey said, after thinking it over for a few moments. "I will consider it, and let you know in a few days.' When Bich came home she told him of MrHosmer'e evil tidings, and asked his advice. " 1 know but very little about either railroad or banketock, Aunt Audrey," he said, thoughtfully, " but I believe I can find out something if I make inquiries. You know ' that Mr Remington, the architect who has taken so much interest in my drawings, is considered a very rich man, and lam sure lie will be able to tell me all that we wish' to know. But first tell me, Aunt: Audrey,. just how :>ou stand pecuniarily. How much money can you lay your hand upon - to call your, own?" . - .1 . - !';!>« , than five, hundred dollars, Bich," - MissWaldemar answered sadly, and heav- . ' ■ ing a deep sigh: as she realised - how very little it was. " .. '~_ . \!, *."«,--- - ,:, -Bhehad spent more- than /jhalf that amount often upon a single coetame,' > „i

'- !'Why,AuntAudrey4that is only half what you allowed me a year for spending money while I was* in college," the young man exclaimed, a quiok flush mounting to his brow: ■ - « ' * "Don't' imagine, Rich; that I begrudge one penny of what has been expended uponr you," Audrey returned, thinking he waff making himself uncomfortable in view of what it had cost to educate him. "Itis a great trial," she added, " and it will .upset all our plans. I regret it most on your ao- f count, for Ivory much wanted you to have a year of travel abroad " < Again that crimson flush suffused Rich's fine lace, but he made no reply, and in.afew minutes got up and left the house. He did not refer to the subject again for a day or two, though he noticed that Audrey often scanned his face questioningly, while she looked worn and anxious. The third day, however, after receiving their ill-tidings, he came into her presence with sparklingjeyes and an animated countenance. " I am ready to talk to you now, Aunt Audrey, about our future," he said, fondly and half playfully, " and I shall want you to pay strict attention, for I have constituted myself your man of business from thistime on." Audrey laid down her work, smiled at hia eager manner, but did not make any reply, and he continued : "I have had a long talk with Mr Remington ; I took the liberty to state our trouble plainly to him, and I find that be is also a loser by these same corporations, although not to such an extent. He advises you to wait — let everything rest just as it is, and he hopes that matters will right themselves, at least in a measure, by-and-by. That is what he is going to do." " Yes, but Rich, he doubtless has other resources* ; he can afford to wait j but it will take our all, if we do so." "Not quite, Aunt Audrey," Rich said eagerly. " You know," he went on, his face reddening, while he appeared considerably embarrassed, " that you allowed me a thousand dollars a year while I was in college ; but— forgive me for referring to it again — I could not quite forget that I was really only a poor penniless waif, who, but for your bounty, would have had hard work to make his way in the world. I knew that □ay other expenses were very heavy, and — my conscience wouldn't allow me to spend what you gave me. I saved all that I could without appearing mean, or compromising my Aunt Audrey's character for generosity ; invested it in a bank, and, dear Aunt Audrey, there are more than two thousand iollars to my credit there to-day. Of course it is all yours, you dear, blessed woman," be went on, gathering her two hands into his and regarding her with almost worshipFul fondness, " and I only regret now that there isn't half as much more— l might have saved more just as well as not, for there were lots of fellows there who had to vet along on far less than I should have had then." Audrey was overcome by this tale. The ?reat tears rolled over her face, and her heart was fall of love and gratitude for this noble boy whom she had rescued from a life of poverty, and perhaps rf degradation, and who was repaying her 30 grandly in this hour of trouble. "I didn't tell you anything about it, auntie," Rich continued apologetically, because I was afraid you might think me mercenary, perhaps mean ; but I kept thicking to myself that sometime it might come in handy. I knew you had abundance, and that I was doing no one any wrong in storing it away ; while, at the same time, I Felt I had no right to cultivate extravagant habits by spending the large amount you bo generously allowed me. Now one thing more,2and then I shall be through. This money will not last for ever ; we must have some other resource for the future. It has been settled for a long time that I am to be an architect ; Mr Remington has told me many times that I was ' cut out for one '— that I have a great deal of talent in that direction, and he is the mun under whom I should like to perfect myself in my profession. Aunt Audrey, I have let myself to him to-day for five hundred dollars for the first year. lam to work seven hours each day in his office, and he has given me permission to add to my income, if I can do so, by picking up outside work that would not be likely to come to him." "Rich, my dear boy — " began Miss Waldemar, brokenly. "Yes, I know I am," he interrupted, tightening his hold upon her hands ; " but hold on ; I haven't quite got through yet. This five hundred will more than take care of me for the year, and I believe that my two thousand, with what you have, will insure comfort for you for a couple of years, and by that time, I feel confident, if my health is spared, I ehall be able to tak9 care of us both handsomely ; so you can let your doubtful ah/ires rest and see if they will come to anything. Audrey could not bear another word ; she put forth her arms around the boy's neck, dropped her graceful head upon his shoulder, and sobbed with all her might. Rich's arms crept about her waist, arid the two sat there speechless for the space of ten minutes. "There!" Miss Waldemar at last said raising her head, wiping her tears away and smiling, though it was a rather tremulous smile, " I have done, Rich — the shower is over and I feel refreshed ; but let me tell you I never was so proud and happy in my life as I am at this moment. It is worth the whole of my fortune to 2nd out what there is in you." " I am afraid you overestimate my worth," Rich answered, smiling ; " and just remember, plea«e, that if there is anything really good in me, I owe it all to you. I believe if I could sell myself to give you back your fortune I should be' tempted to do it." " I wouldn't part with you, Rich, for a dozen fortunes), But how nicely you have calculated everytbingfor our future ! Now we will tafce good Mrs Allen into our confidence, and see what we can arrange about a different horne — of course we cannot live in this expensive way any longer," and she glanced around the luxurious apartment as she spoke. Mrs Allen was accordingly consulted, and at once solved all difficulties by proposing to .rent a suite of rooms in some quiet respectable locality and set up housekeeping on their own account. .: This proposition was eagerly adopted by both Audrey and Rich, and, after a diligent search for a few days, they at last secureda suite of Bix rooms just adapted to their needs. ' Audrey had reserved a good many things both useful and ornamental when she sold her house, so they had plenty to furnish* their modest home with ; and in less than a week after their decision to go housekeeping, they were *in .their own home— not settled by any means, for that would take time ; but* Mrs Allen had advised the move, arguing that what it cost them- to board for ft, week would more than support them jfor a month. ., : : , y;j . / , c She took the -management of everything - plarinedthe carpets, and arrangements of furniture, found a young girl to act as ser-, vant.and who^ under her supervision, soon developed, a wonderful talent ifor, cooking and Aqusework, »nd • they were an happy a family as could^be found in New, York *$^\{i\,i£,Xi£&i:itCu \yx u \ v % jXyt}

! ;' Richhad already ent^re^upon^ls duties • in Mr Re^aingto^f: offibe^and he' gave- his*, whole, heart to his business. ~ - "Ho "had, for "years, been cultivating his, talent for architecture, taking private evening lessons from three to six months out of ;the twelve, and he had not been with his 'employer a month before the latter expressed his surprise at bis pupil's prpfioienoy. _. Rich worked faithfully during the seven .hours allotted to him, while, before and after hours he might -have been seen in different portions of the oity, wherever new buildings .were being ereoted, trying to gain an insight into the coarser and "more praotical part of his profession. Mr Remington had aohieved such renown that he devoted himself only to expensive structures, and had more business than he could attend 10. Rich, upon discovering this, set himself, during his leasure hours, to studying the needs, and drawing plans to meet the wants of people who were compelled to count the cost closely and build upon a more economical scale. One day he was looking over a block of houses in the western part of the city, and while asking the builder some questions regarding their construction, the latter said: "I take it you are studying to be an architect." "Yes, I have been studying for that since I was a boy," Rich answered. " I suppose you have done something, then, on plans for buildings ?" "Yea, I am constantly at work upon them in the office of W. B, Remington," " What ! Remington, the great architect ?" asked the man, in surprise. " Yes, sir." " Well, well ! you must be pretty well up in your business to work for him ; but he's too high-priced an old codger for me to have any dealings with." ••Don't you ever plan your own buildings ?" Rich asked. "No. I can build a thing well enough after it is planned, and I know good plans when 1 see them, but I am not good at originating. Now I might get a tip top job out at Yonkers, if I could only make good plans. Some parties out there have advertised for bids on a large block of bouses, and if I could only find just the right kind of an architect to go in with me, I'd like to undertake them. I claim to be a first class builder, but nothing moTe." "When are the bids to be in?" Rich questioned. " By the first of January." "Two months from now," remarked the young man, reflectively. He asked a great many more questions regarding the projected block, and then went home in a brown study. For several days after that he left home very early, and -did not return until long after dark ; but when Audrey questioned him about it he merely remarked that he bad a little more business on hand than usual. Then for three weeks he rose at five a'clock in the morning, and worked busily at his desk until it was time for him to go clown town, returning promptly upon the closing of Mr Remington's office, and working often until eleven or twelve at night. vAt the end of these three weeks he again aought the builder before mentioned. "Can you spare me half an hour of your time, sir ?" he asked. "Yes, indeed," was the cordial reply. " You remember telling me about a block of houses to be erected in Yonkera ?" "Yes," the man answered, with an upraising of his eyebrows and a quizzical glanco at the young man. " You also said if you could find the right architect to go in with you, you would like to undertake the job." The man nodded, but with the same quizzical expression in his eyes. " Will you look at some plans that I have been at work upon since I saw you, and tell me whit you think of them ?" " Yes, I'll look at them," was the reply, but with a doubtful emphasis upon the verb. Rich drew from under his arm a roll, and unfolding it, laid out several sheets of drawing paper upon a carpenter's bench and pinned them down. There were plans of the first, second, and third floors of a block of houses, all drawn out, in a neat and masterly manner ; and besides these, there were designs of the front and side elevation. The master-builder examined them critically for a long time, and with increasing interest. At last, looking up at Rich, he demanded, in a voice that sounded almost stern : "You don't mean to tell me that you drew these plans ?" "Yes, sir, every line in them," he returned. " Are they original ?" "They are original in this way, sir; After you described to me what was wanted at Yonkers, I went to look at a number of blocks of the same character. I went through them thoroughly, making notes of what particularly pleased me in each ; then I went home and drew these plans, combining what I had gathered from different sources with other things which had suggested themselves to my mind, and this is the result," Rich said, pointing at his drawings. " Have you copied anything that has been used'by your employer ?" ... " Not a curve, line, or dot." "Does Mr Remington know what you have been doing ?" " No, sir ; but I have his permission to secure any business for myself that I can after office hours." The builder turned his attention again to the plans, and studied them over and over. Evidently he was very much pleased as well as surprised at them. "Where do you live?" he asked, at length. Rich gave him the street and number. " Roll these things up and don't chow them to any one, and I'll come around this evening and look them over again with you. I can't stop any longer now," said the builder, with a thoughtful expression. Rich obeyed and left the place, scarcely knowing whether to feel elated or depressed by the interview. But when evening came, and with it, at an early hour, his visitor, and he spread out his plans again and began to enter into the details of them, he forgot everything but his interest in his work, and grew almost enthusiastic over it. When they had been^ over the whole thing two or three times, his companion leaned back in his chair and said : ';;,_ ,' "Well, young mani'lmuet say, that for a' greenhorn,' you have done the smartest stroke of business on these pl^niVthat it has ever 1 been my lotto see.'T • *-\%' : *l; * "Will they suit^dc^you Jshink ?" JRiph asked, l eagerly, hffi face jfiushing"' ?irith pleasure/ *;•; • • r- M . - ■; (( ■ ••*> r* - • ;v. "That's more than any dne can i tell until: the parties-at Yonkers have seen them," the man returned; Jik^them*,Vahd|if you'Jl submit them'to you* 1 etfiployer and gift* his permission, to use 5 thißm~l .neveif * 'go , atj any thing underKandedrT: we'll' rbake out the .specifications and ouiLestimate.of .the, cost,' and sendjthem in to; the: parties who ' have < Rich agreed to this most heartily, and the

next^mo^m|kß»Cbattiea s, his- plans, to Mr, Rerajtfgfcen.vexplajned for what.^ey were intended^an'd.asked leave to use them. ' * ' , Thatf gentleman was taken by surprise by the achievement of- his young clerk, and complimented. him highly upon hie work. More than this, he' took his own pencil and made a few changes which greatly improved .them anjfl-; enhanced their value/ , while he readily gave Rioh his full and free permission to 'use them for the purpose for which they, were- intended^ f ,-,»' "You have made a grand success of ; this, your first effort," he said; "and even if these plans do not meet the requirements of the parties at Yonkers, you may feel assured that you have made a long stride, ■ toward the goal you are so anxious to reach. ' (Sucti designs as these— sensible, practical, ! and economicalr-must find a market sometime. lam glad for you. My only fear is, that you will outgrow my office before very long, and before I shall be willing to spare you." .„'