of the science of war, more successful in action than the volunteers, whose only school was actual practice in the field.  And look at our Senate and House of Representatives, sir; are the most distinguished statesmen there graduates of colleges?  Quite the reverse.  I do not wish to be so irreverent as to disparage schools and colleges, sir, I only wish to be so just as to exalt talent, industry, and perseverance to their proper level,” said Ishmael warmly.

“Special pleading, my boy,” said the judge.

Ishmael blushed, laughed, and replied: 

“Yes, sir, I acknowledge that it is very special pleading.  I have made up my mind to be a candidate for admission to the Washington bar; and having done so, I would like to get your approbation.”

“What do you want with my approbation, boy?  With or without it, you will get on.”

“But more pleasantly with it, sir,” smiled Ishmael.

“Very well, very well; take it then.  Go ahead.  I wish you success.  But what is the use of telling you to go ahead, when you will go ahead anyhow, in spite of fate?  Or why should I wish you success, when I know you will command success?  Ah, Ishmael, you can do without me; but how shall I ever be able to do without you?” inquired the judge, with an odd expression between a smile and a sigh.

“My friend and patron, I must be admitted to practice at the Washington bar; but I will not upon that account leave your service while I can be of use to you,” said Ishmael, with earnestness; for next to adoring Claudia, he loved best for her sake to honor her father.

“That’s a good lad.  Be sure you keep your promise,” said the judge, smiling, and laying his hand caressingly on Ishmael’s head.

And then as it was time for the judge to go to the Supreme Court, he arose and departed, leaving Ishmael to write out a number of legal documents.

Ishmael lost no time in carrying his resolution into effect.  He passed a very successful examination and was duly admitted to practice in the Washington courts of law.

A few evenings after this, as Ishmael was still busy in the little library, trying to finish a certain task before the last beams of the sun had faded away, the judge entered, smiling, holding in his hand a formidable-looking document and a handful of gold coin.

“There, Ishmael,” he said, laying the document and the gold on the table before the young man; “there is your first brief and your first fee!  Let me tell you it is a very unusual windfall for an unfledged lawyer like you.”

“I suppose I owe this to yourself, sir,” said Ishmael.