Aunt Janes Nieces in Society | Page 4

My money has
given me commercial position, but no social one worth mentioning.
Your '400's' a bunch I can't break into, nohow."
A slight smile hovered over the other's lips, but he quickly controlled it.
"They tell me, though," continued the speaker, "that your family has
long ago climbed into the top notch of society. You're one o' the big
guns in the battery, an' hold the fort against all comers."
Von Taer merely bowed. It was scarcely necessary to either admit or
contradict the statement. Uncle John was a little indignant that his
companion showed no disposition to assist him in his explanation,
which a clear head might now easily comprehend. So, with his usual
frankness, he went directly to the point.
"I'd like my girls to get into the best--the most select--circles," he
announced. "They're good and pretty and well-mannered, so it strikes
me they're entitled to the best there is a-going. I don't want to mix with
your swell crowd myself, because I ain't fit; likewise the outfit ain't
much to my taste, askin' your pardon; but with women it's different.
They need to stand high an' shine bright to make 'em really happy, and
if any special lot is particularly ex-clusive an' high-falutin', that's the
crowd they long to swarm with. It's human nature--female human
nature, anyhow. You catch my idea, Von Taer, don't you?"
"I think so, Mr. Merrick. Yet I fail to see how I can be of service to you
in gratifying the ambition of your charming nieces." "Then I'll go, and
you may forget what I've said." The visitor arose and took his hat from
the table. "It was only a fool notion, anyway; just a thought, badly
expressed, to help my girls to a toy that money can't buy."
Hedrik Von Taer gazed steadily into the man's face. There was
something in the simple, honest self-abnegation of this wealthy and
important person that won the respect of all he met. The broker's stern
eyes softened a bit as he gazed and he allowed a fugitive smile, due to
his own change of attitude, to wreathe his thin lips again--just for an

instant.
"Sit down, please, Mr. Merrick," he requested, and rather reluctantly
Uncle John resumed his seat. "You may not have an especially clear
idea of New York society, and I want to explain my recent remark so
that you will understand it. What is called 'the 400' may or may not
exist; but certainly it is no distinct league or association. It may perhaps
be regarded as a figure of speech, to indicate how few are really
admitted to the most exclusive circles. Moreover, there can be no
dominant 'leader of society' here, for the reason that not all grades of
society would recognize the supremacy of any one set, or clique. These
cliques exist for various reasons. They fraternize generally, but keep
well within their own circles. Kindred tastes attract some; ancient
lineage others. There is an ultra-fashionable set, a sporting set, a
literary set, an aristocratic set, a rather 'fast' set, a theatrical set--and so
on. These may all lay claim with certain justice to membership in good
society. Their circles are to an extent exclusive, because some
distinction must mark the eligibility of members. And outside each
luminous sphere hovers a multitude eager to pass the charmed circle
and so acquire recognition. Often it is hard to separate the initiate from
the uninitiate, even by those most expert. Is it difficult to comprehend
such a condition as I have described, Mr. Merrick?"
"Somewhat, Mr. Von Taer. The wonder to me is why people waste
time in such foolishness."
"It is the legitimate occupation of many; the folly of unwise ambition
impels others. There is a fascination about social life that appeals to the
majority of natures. Let us compare society to a mountain whose sides
are a steep incline, difficult to mount. To stand upon the summit, to
become the cynosure of all eyes, is a desire inherent, seemingly, in all
humanity; for humanity loves distinction. In the scramble toward the
peak many fall by the wayside; others deceive themselves by imagining
they have attained the apex when they are far from it. It is a game, Mr.
Merrick, just as business is a game, politics a game, and war a game.
You know how few really win."
"Here," said Uncle John, musingly, "is a philosophy I did not expect

from you, Von Taer. They tell me you're one who stands on top the
peak. And you were born that way, and didn't have to climb. Seems to
me you rather scorn the crowd that's trying to climb to an eminence you
never had to win. That wouldn't be my way. And I suspect that if the
crowd wasn't