The Financier / Финансист. Книга для чтения на английском языке

“Cowperwood,” he said to him the first morning he ever broached this matter – it was in Stener’s office, at the old city hall at Sixth and Chestnut, and Stener, in view of his oncoming prosperity, was feeling very good indeed, – “isn’t there some street-railway property around town here that a man could buy in on and get control of if he had sufficient money?”

Cowperwood knew that there were such properties. His very alert mind had long since sensed the general opportunities here. The omnibuses were slowly disappearing. The best routes were already preempted. Still, there were other streets, and the city was growing. The incoming population would make great business in the future. One could afford to pay almost any price for the short lines already built if one could wait and extend the lines into larger and better areas later. And already he had conceived in his own mind the theory of the “endless chain,” or “argeeable formula,” as it was later termed, of buying a certain property on a long-time payment and issuing stocks or bonds sufficient not only to pay your seller, but to reimburse you for your trouble, to say nothing of giving you a margin wherewith to invest in other things – allied properties, for instance, against which more bonds could be issued, and so on, ad infinitum[109]. It became an old story later, but it was new at that time, and he kept the thought closely to himself. None the less he was glad to have Stener speak of this, since street-railways were his hobby, and he was convinced that he would be a great master of them if he ever had an opportunity to control them.

“Why, yes, George,” he said, noncommittally, “there are two or three that offer a good chance if a man had money enough. Inotice blocks of stock being offered on ’change now and then by one person and another. It would be good policy to pick these things up as they’re offered, and then to see later if some of the other stockholders won’t want to sell out. Green and Coates, now, looks like a good proposition to me. If I had three or four hundred thousand dollars that I thought I could put into that by degrees I would follow it up. It only takes about thirty per cent. of the stock of any railroad to control it. Most of the shares are scattered around so far and wide that they never vote, and I think two or three hundred thousand dollars would control that road.” He mentioned one other line that might be secured in the same way in the course of time.

Stener meditated. “That’s a good deal of money,” he said, thoughtfully. “I’ll talk to you about that some more later.” And he was off to see Strobik none the less.

Cowperwood knew that Stener did not have any two or three hundred thousand dollars to invest in anything. There was only one way that he could get it – and that was to borrow it out of the city treasury and forego the interest. But he would not do that on his own initiative.

Someone else must be behind him and who else other than Mollenhauer, or Simpson, or possibly even Butler, though he doubted that, unless the triumvirate were secretly working together. But what of it? The larger politicians were always using the treasury, and he was thinking now, only, of his own attitude in regard to the use of this money. No harm could come to him, if Stener’s ventures were successful; and there was no reason why they should not be. Even if they were not he would be merely acting as an agent. In addition, he saw how in the manipulation of this money for Stener he could probably eventually control certain lines for himself.

There was one line being laid out to within a few blocks of his new home – the Seventeenth and Nineteenth Street line it was called – which interested him greatly. He rode on it occasionally when he was delayed or did not wish to trouble about a vehicle. It ran through two thriving streets of redbrick houses, and was destined to have a great future once the city grew large enough. As yet it was really not long enough. If he could get that, for instance, and combine it with Butler’s lines, once they were secured – or Mollenhauer’s, or Simpson’s, the legislature could be induced to give them additional franchises. He even dreamed of a combination between Butler, Mollenhauer, Simpson, and himself. Between them, politically, they could get anything. But Butler was not a philanthropist. He would have to be approached with a very sizable bird in hand. The combination must be obviously advisable. Besides, he was dealing for Butler in street-railway stocks, and if this particular line were such a good thing Butler might wonder why it had not been brought to him in the first place. It would be better, Frank thought, to wait until he actually had it as his own, in which case it would be a different matter. Then he could talk as a capitalist. He began to dream of a city-wide street-railway system controlled by a few men, or preferably himself alone.

Chapter XVII

The days that had been passing brought Frank Cowperwood and Aileen Butler somewhat closer together in spirit. Because of the pressure of his growing affairs he had not paid so much attention to her as he might have, but he had seen her often this past year. She was now nineteen and had grown into some subtle thoughts of her own. For one thing, she was beginning to see the difference between good taste and bad taste in houses and furnishings. <…>

There was a reception and a dance to be given to celebrate the opening of the two Cowperwood homes – the reception to be held in Frank Cowperwood’s residence, and the dance later at his father’s. The Henry Cowperwood domicile was much more pretentious, the reception-room, parlor, music-room, and conservatory being in this case all on the ground floor and much larger. Ellsworth had arranged it so that those rooms, on occasion, could be thrown into one, leaving excellent space for promenade, auditorium, dancing – anything, in fact, that a large company might require. It had been the intention all along of the two men to use these houses jointly. There was, to begin with, a combination use of the various servants, the butler, gardener, laundress, and maids. Frank Cowperwood employed a governess for his children. The butler was really not a butler in the best sense. He was Henry Cowperwood’s private servitor. But he could carve and preside, and he could be used in either house as occasion warranted. There was also a hostler and a coachman for the joint stable. When two carriages were required at once, both drove. It made a very agreeable and satisfactory working arrangement.

The preparation of this reception had been quite a matter of importance, for it was necessary for financial reasons to make it as extensive as possible, and for social reasons as exclusive. It was therefore decided that the afternoon reception at Frank’s house, with its natural overflow into Henry W.’s, was to be for all – the Tighes, Steners, Butlers, Mollenhauers, as well as the more select groups to which, for instance, belonged Arthur Rivers, Mrs. Seneca Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Trenor Drake, and some of the younger Drexels and Clarks, whom Frank had met. It was not likely that the latter would condescend, but cards had to be sent. Later in the evening a less democratic group if possible was to be entertained, albeit it would have to be extended to include the friends of Anna, Mrs. Cowperwood, Edward, and Joseph, and any list which Frank might personally have in mind. This was to be the list. The best that could be persuaded, commanded, or influenced of the young and socially elect were to be invited here.

It was not possible, however, not to invite the Butlers, parents and children, particularly the children, for both afternoon and evening, since Cowperwood was personally attracted to Aileen and despite the fact that the presence of the parents would be most unsatisfactory. Even Aileen as he knew was a little unsatisfactory to Anna and Mrs. Frank Cowperwood; and these two, when they were together supervising the list of invitations, often talked about it.

“She’s so hoidenish,” observed Anna, to her sister-in-law, when they came to the name of Aileen. “She thinks she knows so much, and she isn’t a bit refined. Her father! Well, if I had her father I wouldn’t talk so smart.”

Mrs. Cowperwood, who was before her secretaire in her new boudoir, lifted her eyebrows.

“You know, Anna, I sometimes wish that Frank’s business did not compel me to have anything to do with them. Mrs. Butler is such a bore. She means well enough, but she doesn’t know anything. And Aileen is too rough. She’s too forward, I think. She comes over here and plays upon the piano, particularly when Frank’s here. I wouldn’t mind so much for myself, but I know it must annoy him. All her pieces are so noisy. She never plays anything really delicate and refined.”

“I don’t like the way she dresses,” observed Anna, sympathetically.

“She gets herself up too conspicuously. Now, the other day I saw her out driving, and oh, dear! you should have seen her! She had on a crimson Zouave jacket[110] heavily braided with black about the edges, and a turban with a huge crimson feather, and crimson ribbons reaching nearly to her waist. Imagine that kind of a hat to drive in. And her hands! You should have seen the way she held her hands – oh – just so – self-consciously. They were curved just so” – and she showed how. “She had on yellow gauntlets, and she held the reins in one hand and the whip in the other. She drives just like mad when she drives, anyhow, and William, the footman, was up behind her. You should just have seen her. Oh, dear! oh, dear! she does think she is so much!” And Anna giggled, half in reproach, half in amusement.

“I suppose we’ll have to invite her; I don’t see how we can get out of it. I know just how she’ll do, though. She’ll walk about and pose and hold her nose up.”

“Really, I don’t see how she can,” commented Anna. “Now, I like Norah. She’s much nicer. She doesn’t think she’s so much.”

“I like Norah, too,” added Mrs. Cowperwood. “She’s really very sweet, and to me she’s prettier.”

“Oh, indeed, I think so, too.”

It was curious, though, that it was Aileen who commanded nearly all their attention and fixed their minds on her so-called idiosyncrasies. All they said was in its peculiar way true; but in addition the girl was really beautiful and much above the average intelligence and force. She was running deep with ambition, and she was all the more conspicuous, and in a way irritating to some, because she reflected in her own consciousness her social defects, against which she was inwardly fighting. She resented the fact that people could justly consider her parents ineligible, and for that reason her also. She was intrinsically as worth while as any one. Cowperwood, so able, and rapidly becoming so distinguished, seemed to realize it. The days that had been passing had brought them somewhat closer together in spirit. He was nice to her and liked to talk to her. Whenever he was at her home now, or she was at his and hewas present, he managed somehow to say a word. He would come over quite near and look at her in a warm friendly fashion.

“Well, Aileen” – she could see his genial eyes – “how is it with you? How are your father and mother? Been out driving? That’s fine. I saw you to-day. You looked beautiful.”

“Oh, Mr. Cowperwood!”

“You did. You looked stunning. A black riding-habit becomes you. I can tell your gold hair a long way off.”

“Oh, now, you mustn’t say that to me. You’ll make me vain. My mother and father tell me I’m too vain as it is.”

“Never mind your mother and father. I say you looked stunning, and you did. You always do.”

“Oh!”

She gave a little gasp of delight. The color mounted to her cheeks and temples. Mr. Cowperwood knew of course. He was so informed and intensely forceful. And already he was so much admired by so many, her own father and mother included, and by Mr. Mollenhauer and Mr. Simpson, so she heard. And his own home and office were so beautiful. Besides, his quiet intensity matched her restless force.

Aileen and her sister were accordingly invited to the reception but the Butlers mère and père[111] were given to understand, in as tactful a manner as possible, that the dance afterward was principally for young people.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

Примечания

1

Andrew Jackson – Эндрю Джексон, седьмой президент США (1829–1837); Nicholas Biddle – Николас Бидл, председатель правления Банка США

2

wildcat money – ничего не стоящие бумажные деньги

3

conducted a brokerage business as a side line – попутно играли на бирже

4

at the brokerage end of the business – в отделе ценных бумаг банка

5

deposited as collateral at two-thirds of their face value for a loan of one hundred thousand dollars – заложенные за две трети номинальной стоимости в качестве обеспечения займа в сто тысяч долларов

6

in twelve months post-notes – в краткосрочных обязательствах Банка Соединенных Штатов сроком на год

7

The Republic of Texas – Техасская Республика, государство в Северной Америке между США и Мексикой, существовало с1836 по 1845 г.

8

Indian curies – индейские диковинки

9

Sheraton parlor furniture – мебель в стиле Шератона, стиль мебели, популярный в конце XVIII века, по имени Томаса Шератона (1751–1806), известного английского мебельного мастера

10

What ’s bred in the bone, eh? – Вот что значит «это у него в крови»!

11

a ten-dollar gold piece – золотая монета в десять долларов

12

What am I bid? – Сколько предложите? Сколько дадите?

13

Castile soap – кастильское мыло, сорт мыла, изготавливаемый из оливкового масла и гидроокиси соды

14

Then it came to dollar raises, for Castile soap was not such a vital commodity. – Дальше пошли надбавки по одному доллару, так как кастильское мыло не было товаром первой необходимости.

15

He has stuff in him, that youngster. – В этом мальчугане что-то есть.

16

opening – (зд.) вакансия

17

if you mind your p’s and q’s – если ты будешь вести себя должным образом; если будешь справляться с работой

18

Civil War – Гражданская война в США (1861–1865), война между промышленными северными и рабовладельческими южными штатами

19

I would rather crawl on my hands and knees than let my paper go to protest – Я бы на четвереньках приполз, но не допустил, чтобы мой вексель опротестовали!

20

in one lump – оптом

21

You want to make a record, no doubt. – Вы, видимо, хотите отличиться.

22

Bill it to me. – Выпишите мне на нее (муку) счет.

23

’change (the Produce Exchange) – Продуктовая биржа

24

seeing the way times are – по нынешнем временам

25

He’s cut out for this business. – Он просто создан для нашего дела.

26

I.O.U. сокр от. I owe you – «я вам должен» (форма долговой расписки)

27

the vaguest suggestion of a brogue – с легким ирландским акцентом

28

I’ll have to give a reasonable notice at the other place – Ядолжен заранее предупредить моих нынешних работодателей

29

in the vicinity – поблизости, по соседству

30

the Seventh Commandment (“Thou should not commit adultery”) – (библ.) Седьмая заповедь («Не прелюбодействуй»)

31

lupanars – (зд.) публичные дома; вертепы

32

If they’re going down in ordinary times someone is unloading, or they’re rigging the market. – Обычно, если акции падают, значит, кто-то выбрасывает их на биржу или искусственно понижает цены.

33

cardinal sin – тяжкий грех

34

Cyrus Field – Сайрес Филд (1819–1892), американский бизнесмен и финансист, основал Атлантическую Телеграфную Компанию, которая впервые в истории успешно проложила телеграфный кабель через Атлантический океан в 1858 г.; William H. Vanderbilt – Уильям Генри Вандербилт (1821–1885), американский бизнесмен, значительно расширил и укрепил сеть железнодорожных компаний, унаследованных от отца, Комелиуса Ван-дербилта; F. X. Drexel – видимо, имеется в виду Френсис Мартин Дрексель (1792–1863), американский банкир австрийского происхождения, основатель крупного банка Drexel & Co. (1837)

35

technicalities – специальная терминология

36

shove here and there – носились туда-сюда

37

to “get in and out” – успеть вовремя купить и продать

38

on the lee of the wind – с подветренной стороны

39

a collection of antiquated odds and ends in the shape of books – куча устаревшего книжного хлама

40

too high in key – (зд.) слишком кричащих тонов

41

bench-making shoemakers – сапожники-кустари

42

panic of 1857 – кризис 1857, внезапный спад в экономике США, был достаточно быстро преодолен

43

to exchange the time of the day – поздороваться, пообщаться

44

was quietly manifest – вел себя достаточно активно

45

The country seemed to be going to the dogs. – Страна, казалось, летела в пропасть.

46

Tighe was credited with a deposit of fifteen thousand dollars, with privilege to draw against it at once. – Таю был открыт кредит на пятнадцать тысяч долларов с правом немедленного использования.

47

He’ll make his mark – Он сделает карьеру

48

But for the time being only. – Но только на некоторое время.

49

We have independent means. – Мы оба материально независимы.

50

a trailing gown – платье со шлейфом

51

to bill and coo – «ворковать», проявлять нежность

52

Chippendale – мебель в стиле Чиппендейла, стиль мебели, популярный в конце XVIII века, по имени Томаса Чиппeндeйла (1718–1779), известного английского мебельного мастера

53

Hosmer – Гарриэт Годхью Хосмер (1830–1908), скульптор из Массачусетса; Powers – Хайрам Пауэрс (1805–1873), американский скульптор, работавший в неоклассическом стиле

54

Potter – Эдвард Кларк Поттер (1857–1923), американский скульптор

55

hymeneal yoke – брачные узы, узы Гименея

56

“You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.” – посл., ср. русск. «Рука руку моет».

57

the Schuylkill, the Wissahickon – Скуилкил, Уиссахикон, названия рек

58

had the gift of geniality – обладал даром общаться приветливо и непринужденно

59

John Brown – Джон Браун (1800–1859), борец за освобождение чернокожих рабов в США; в 1859 г. поднял восстание в Виргинии; потерпел поражение, был взят в плен и казнен

60

Lincoln – Авраам Линкольн (1809–1865), 16 президент США (с 1861 по 1965 г.)

61

to take the oath of office – принести присягу

62

pronunciamento – декларация, воззвание

63

Independence Hall – Дворец Независимости, здание в Филадельфии, где 4 июля 1776 г. была провозглашена независимость Соединенных Штатов Америки

64

railsplitter – прозвище Линкольна, оставшееся со времен, когда он выступал в качестве адвоката по делам, связанным с железной дорогой

65

Cowperwood had no hand in this. – Каупервуд не принимал в этом участия.

66

Whig – партия вигов, в США эта партия образовалась в 1834 г. для борьбы против президента Эндрю Джексона

67

The beautiful silver effect of the daguerreotype had been tinted. – Изображение на дагерротипе было раскрашено.

68

pickin’, somethin’ – здесь и далее подчеркивается просторечное произношение окончания -ing: [n] вместо [ƞ]

69

I’m not as light on my toes as I once was. – Я уже не так легок на подъем, как раньше.

70

you can draw on my bank for what you need, up to a certain amount – вы сможете снимать деньги с моего счета для ваших целей, в пределах определенной суммы

71

are hand in glove with them – поддерживают с ним приятельские отношения

72

We can fix the governor – (разг.) Мы можем договориться с губернатором

73

ins and outs – ходы и выходы; детали, нюансы

74

Rossetti, Burne-Jones – Данте Габриел Россетти (1828–1882) и Эдуард Берн-Джонс (1833–1898), английские художники, принадлежавшие школе прерафаэлитов, стремившейся возродить средневековые каноны красоты

75

who were quite in his mood – которые были в его вкусе; которые ему нравились

76

consideration – (зд.) компенсация, возмещение

77

constituents – (зд.) клиенты

78

or thereabouts – или около того

79

It solved a ticklish proposition for him. – Это позволило ему выйти из весьма щекотливого положения.

80

By the same token – К тому же; кроме того