Chapter V
Showing That Tom Had Opened the Oyster
”And now we've settled this Newcastle business, Tom,” said Mr. Deane,that same afternoon, as they were seated in the private room at theBank together, ”there's another matter I want to talk to you about.Since you're likely to have rather a smoky, unpleasant time of it atNewcastle for the next few weeks, you'll want a good prospect of somesort to keep up your spirits.”
Tom waited less nervously than he had done on a former occasion inthis apartment, while his uncle took out his snuff-box and gratifiedeach nostril with deliberate impartiality.
”You see, Tom,” said Mr. Deane at last, throwing himself backward,”the world goes on at a smarter pace now than it did when I was ayoung fellow. Why, sir, forty years ago, when I was much such astrapping youngster as you, a man expected to pull between the shaftsthe best part of his life, before he got the whip in his hand. Thelooms went slowish, and fashions didn't alter quite so fast; I'd abest suit that lasted me six years. Everything was on a lower scale,sir,--in point of expenditure, I mean. It's this steam, you see, thathas made the difference; it drives on every wheel double pace, and thewheel of fortune along with 'em, as our Mr. Stephen Guest said at theanniversary dinner (he hits these things off wonderfully, consideringhe's seen nothing of business). I don't find fault with the change, assome people do. Trade, sir, opens a man's eyes; and if the populationis to get thicker upon the ground, as it's doing, the world must useits wits at inventions of one sort or other. I know I've done my shareas an ordinary man of business. Somebody has said it's a fine thing tomake two ears of corn grow where only one grew before; but, sir, it'sa fine thing, too, to further the exchange of commodities, and bringthe grains of corn to the mouths that are hungry. And that's our lineof business; and I consider it as honorable a position as a man canhold, to be connected with it.”
Tom knew that the affair his uncle had to speak of was not urgent; Mr.Deane was too shrewd and practical a man to allow either hisreminiscences or his snuff to impede the progress of trade. Indeed,for the last month or two, there had been hints thrown out to Tomwhich enabled him to guess that he was going to hear some propositionfor his own benefit. With the beginning of the last speech he hadstretched out his legs, thrust his hands in his pockets, and preparedhimself for some introductory diffuseness, tending to show that Mr.Deane had succeeded by his own merit, and that what he had to say toyoung men in general was, that if they didn't succeed too it wasbecause of their own demerit. He was rather surprised, then, when hisuncle put a direct question to him.
”Let me see,--it's going on for seven years now since you applied tome for a situation, eh, Tom?”
”Yes, sir; I'm three-and-twenty now,” said Tom.
”Ah, it's as well not to say that, though; for you'd pass for a gooddeal older, and age tells well in business. I remember your comingvery well; I remember I saw there was some pluck in you, and that waswhat made me give you encouragement. And I'm happy to say I was right;I'm not often deceived. I was naturally a little shy at pushing mynephew, but I'm happy to say you've done me credit, sir; and if I'dhad a son o' my own, I shouldn't have been sorry to see him like you.”
Mr. Deane tapped his box and opened it again, repeating in a tone ofsome feeling, ”No, I shouldn't have been sorry to see him like you.”
”I'm very glad I've given you satisfaction, sir; I've done my best,”said Tom, in his proud, independent way.
”Yes, Tom, you've given me satisfaction. I don't speak of your conductas a son though that weighs with me in my opinion of you. But what Ihave to do with, as a partner in our firm, is the qualities you'veshown as a man o' business. Ours is a fine business,--a splendidconcern, sir,--and there's no reason why it shouldn't go on growing;there's a growing capital, and growing outlets for it; but there'sanother thing that's wanted for the prosperity of every concern, largeor small, and that's men to conduct it,--men of the right habits; noneo' your flashy fellows, but such as are to be depended on. Now this iswhat Mr. Guest and I see clear enough. Three years ago we took Gellinto the concern; we gave him a share in the oil-mill. And why? Why,because Gell was a fellow whose services were worth a premium. So itwill always be, sir. So it was with me. And though Gell is pretty nearten years older than you, there are other points in your favor.”
Tom was getting a little nervous as Mr. Deane went on speaking; he wasconscious of something he had in his mind to say, which might not beagreeable to his uncle, simply because it was a new suggestion ratherthan an acceptance of the proposition he foresaw.
”It stands to reason,” Mr. Deane went on, when he had finished his newpinch, ”that your being my nephew weighs in your favor; but I don'tdeny that if you'd been no relation of mine at all, your conduct inthat affair of Pelley's bank would have led Mr. Guest and myself tomake some acknowledgment of the service you've been to us; and, backedby your general conduct and business ability, it has made us determineon giving you a share in the business,--a share which we shall be gladto increase as the years go on. We think that'll be better, on allgrounds, than raising your salary. It'll give you more importance, andprepare you better for taking some of the anxiety off my shoulders byand by. I'm equal to a good deal o' work at present, thank God; butI'm getting older,--there's no denying that. I told Mr. Guest I wouldopen the subject to you; and when you come back from this northernbusiness, we can go into particulars. This is a great stride for ayoung fellow of three-and-twenty, but I'm bound to say you've deservedit.”
”I'm very grateful to Mr. Guest and you, sir; of course I feel themost indebted to _you_, who first took me into the business, and havetaken a good deal of pains with me since.”
Tom spoke with a slight tremor, and paused after he had said this.
”Yes, yes,” said Mr. Deane. ”I don't spare pains when I see they'll beof any use. I gave myself some trouble with Gell, else he wouldn'thave been what he is.”
”But there's one thing I should like to mention to you uncle. I'venever spoken to you of it before. If you remember, at the time myfather's property was sold, there was some thought of your firm buyingthe Mill; I know you thought it would be a very good investment,especially if steam were applied.”
”To be sure, to be sure. But Wakem outbid us; he'd made up his mind tothat. He's rather fond of carrying everything over other people'sheads.”
”Perhaps it's of no use my mentioning it at present,” Tom went on,”but I wish you to know what I have in my mind about the Mill. I've astrong feeling about it. It was my father's dying wish that I shouldtry and get it back again whenever I could; it was in his family forfive generations. I promised my father; and besides that, I'm attachedto the place. I shall never like any other so well. And if it shouldever suit your views to buy it for the firm, I should have a betterchance of fulfilling my father's wish. I shouldn't have liked tomention the thing to you, only you've been kind enough to say myservices have been of some value. And I'd give up a much greaterchance in life for the sake of having the Mill again,--I mean havingit in my own hands, and gradually working off the price.”
Mr. Deane had listened attentively, and now looked thoughtful.
”I see, I see,” he said, after a while; ”the thing would be possibleif there were any chance of Wakem's parting with the property. Butthat I _don't_ see. He's put that young Jetsome in the place; and hehad his reasons when he bought it, I'll be bound.”
”He's a loose fish, that young Jetsome,” said Tom. ”He's taking todrinking, and they say he's letting the business go down. Luke told meabout it,--our old miller. He says he sha'n't stay unless there's analteration. I was thinking, if things went on that way, Wakem might bemore willing to part with the Mill. Luke says he's getting very sourabout the way things are going on.”
”Well, I'll turn it over, Tom. I must inquire into the matter, and gointo it with Mr. Guest. But, you see, it's rather striking out a newbranch, and putting you to that, instead of keeping you where you are,which was what we'd wanted.”
”I should be able to manage more than the Mill when things were onceset properly going, sir. I want to have plenty of work. There'snothing else I care about much.”
There was something rather sad in that speech from a young man ofthree-and-twenty, even in uncle Deane's business-loving ears.
”Pooh, pooh! you'll be having a wife to care about one of these days,if you get on at this pace in the world. But as to this Mill, wemustn't reckon on our chickens too early. However, I promise you tobear it in mind, and when you come back we'll talk of it again. I amgoing to dinner now. Come and breakfast with us to-morrow morning, andsay good-bye to your mother and sister before you start.”