"Michael," said John, "we were at school together, and I generally had the knack of getting on better than you, and making a higher reputation.""You had, John," I returned.
"Although" said John, "I borrowed your books and lost them; borrowed your pocket-money, and never repaid it; got you to buy my damaged knives at a higher price than I had given for them new; and to own to the windows that I had broken.""All not worth mentioning, John Spatter," said I, "but certainly true." "When you were first established in this infant business, whichpromises to thrive so well," pursued John, "I came to you, in my search for almost any employment, and you made me your clerk.""Still not worth mentioning, my dear John Spatter," said I; "still,equally true."
"And finding that I had a good head for business, and that I was really useful TO the business, you did not like to retain me in that capacity, and thought it an act of justice soon to make me your partner.""Still less worth mentioning than any of those other little circumstances you have recalled, John Spatter," said I; "for I was, and am, sensible of your merits and my deficiencies.""Now, my good friend," said John, drawing my arm through his, as he had had a habit of doing at school; while two vessels outside the windows of our counting-house--which were shaped like the stern windows of a ship--went lightly down the river with the tide, as John and I might then be sailing away in company, and in trust and confidence, on our voyage of life; "let there, under these friendly circumstances, be a right understanding between us.You are too easy, Michael.You are nobody's enemy but your own.If I were to give you that damaging character among our connexion, with a shrug, and a shake of the head, and a sigh; and if I were further to abuse the trust you place in me--""But you never will abuse it at all, John," I observed.
"Never!" said he; "but I am putting a case--I say, and if I were further to abuse that trust by keeping this piece of our common affairs in the dark, and this other piece in the light, and again this other piece in the twilight, and so on, I should strengthen my strength, and weaken your weakness, day by day, until at last I found myself on the high road to fortune, and you left behind on some bare common, a hopeless number of miles out of the way.""Exactly so," said I.
"To prevent this, Michael," said John Spatter, "or the remotest chance of this, there must be perfect openness between us.Nothing must be concealed, and we must have but one interest.""My dear John Spatter," I assured him, "that is precisely what I mean." "And when you are too easy," pursued John, his face glowing with friendship, "you must allow me to prevent that imperfection in your nature from being taken advantage of, by any one; you must not expect me tohumour it--"
"My dear John Spatter," I interrupted, "I DON'T expect you to humour it.I want to correct it.""And I, too," said John.
"Exactly so!" cried I."We both have the same end in view; and, honourably seeking it, and fully trusting one another, and having but one interest, ours will be a prosperous and happy partnership.""I am sure of it!" returned John Spatter.And we shook hands most affectionately.
I took John home to my Castle, and we had a very happy day.Our partnership throve well.My friend and partner supplied what I wanted, as I had foreseen that he would, and by improving both the business and myself, amply acknowledged any little rise in life to which I had helped him.
I am not (said the poor relation, looking at the fire as he slowly rubbed his hands) very rich, for I never cared to be that; but I have enough, and am above all moderate wants and anxieties.My Castle is not a splendid place, but it is very comfortable, and it has a warm and cheerful air, and is quite a picture of Home.
Our eldest girl, who is very like her mother, married John Spatter's eldest son.Our two families are closely united in other ties of attachment.It is very pleasant of an evening, when we are all assembled together-- which frequently happens--and when John and I talk over old times, and the one interest there has always been between us.
I really do not know, in my Castle, what loneliness is.Some of our children or grandchildren are always about it, and the young voices of my descendants are delightful--O, how delightful!--to me to hear.My dearest and most devoted wife, ever faithful, ever loving, ever helpful and sustaining and consoling, is the priceless blessing of my house; from whom all its other blessings spring.We are rather a musical family, and when Christiana sees me, at any time, a little weary or depressed, she steals to the piano and sings a gentle air she used to sing when we were first betrothed.So weak a man am I, that I cannot bear to hear it from any other source.They played it once, at the Theatre, when I was there with Little Frank; and the child said wondering, "Cousin Michael, whosehot tears are these that have fallen on my hand!"Such is my Castle, and such are the real particulars of my life therein preserved.I often take Little Frank home there.He is very welcome to my grandchildren, and they play together.At this time of the year--the Christmas and New Year time--I am seldom out of my Castle.For, the associations of the season seem to hold me there, and the precepts of the season seem to teach me that it is well to be there.
"And the Castle is--" observed a grave, kind voice among the company.
"Yes.My Castle," said the poor relation, shaking his head as he still looked at the fire, "is in the Air.John our esteemed host suggests its situation accurately.My Castle is in the Air! I have done.Will you be so good as to pass the story?"
