Rich Enough | Page 4

her, that you should transport
yourself and children back with me; we have room enough in our
barn-like house for any of your attendants that you wish to bring."
For a moment Mrs. Draper seemed disposed to accept the invitation;
but she immediately added,--"I do not like to take my children from
their schools."

"That is just the answer Charlotte anticipated, and she desired me to
combat it with all my book-learning opposed to yours, and now and
then fill up the interstices with such plain matter-of-fact argument as
she could offer; for instance, that they would improve more in one
month passed in the country, at this fine season, than in a whole
summer at school. 'Tell her,' said she, 'to let them
'Leave their books and come away, That boys and girls may join in
play.'"
"I really think, Frances," said Mr. Draper, "this would be an excellent
plan; you are not quite well, and the country air will be of service to
you and Charlotte."
"We have so much more of country round us," said she, with an air of
satisfaction, "than most of my city friends, that I scarcely feel it right to
make trees or grass an excuse for emigration. I have as much pleasure
in seeing spring return to unlock my treasures, as you can have,
Howard. I must show you some of my rare plants. I have, too, my grape
and strawberry vines; and finer peach trees I do not think you can
exhibit."
"I sincerely hope," said Howard, "you will enjoy this pleasure long, and
eat fruit that you have cultivated yourself: I dare say, it is sweeter than
any you can buy."
"It ought to be," said Mr. Draper, a little seriously, "for it certainly
costs about six times as much as the highest market price that we
should pay. We live here at a most enormous rent; my conscience often
twinges me on the subject."
"And yet I have heard you say, that you bought this place lower," said
Howard, "than any which you would now occupy."
"That is true; but by taking down this building, and cutting the land into
lots, I might get a house clear." A slight flush passed over Mrs.
Draper's cheek.

"I have had applications," continued Mr. Draper, "for the whole estate
as it stands; but really, it is such a source of pleasure to my wife to have
her garden and her shrubbery, that I have not listened to them."
"Thank you," said Mrs. Draper.
"I am doubtful, however, whether I am doing right to let so much
property remain idle and useless."
"Not useless, brother," said Howard, "if it gives so much enjoyment to
your family. What can you do with money but purchase happiness in
some form or other? The benevolent purchase it by relieving the wants
of others, and are blessed in blessing; nor can I see why money may not
as wisely be expended in the purchase of a fine house and garden, as by
investing it in stocks, or ships and cargoes."
"Simply because the one is dead property, and brings no interest; the
other is constantly accumulating."
"Is there no such thing as being RICH ENOUGH?" said Howard. "Are
we to be always striving to acquire, and never sitting quietly down to
enjoy?"
"No one can look forward to that time more earnestly than I do," said
Mr. Draper. "Every wise man will fix upon a certain sum, that his
reason and experience tell him will be sufficient for his expenditures;
and then he ought to retire from business, and hazard no more.--Now,
Howard, as I must hurry through dinner, we may as well improve our
time. I promised to aid you in the disposition of your surplus money.
As you have a dread of adventure, and do not like to run any risk, I will
take it myself, and give you compound interest."
Howard expressed his thanks. "You owe me none; it will be a matter of
convenience to me to have the use of this additional money. I only feel
some compunction in deriving that profit from it which you might
yourself reap. However, as I take the risk, and you take none, it is
according to your own plan;--and now I must be off; I have already
overrun my time," said he, looking at his watch. "If possible, I shall be

at home early, but it is a busy season; two East India cargoes have just
arrived, and several consignments of cotton from the south; all are
pressing upon us."
"My brother," said Howard, as he disappeared, "is the same active,
enterprising man he always was. I rejoice to hear, however, that he has
set some limits to his desire for wealth."
"Our desires grow proportionably to our