ung gentleman is to be he?" asked the Judge.

"Leon is my choice before all whom I have known. Above all others I
have decided that he is the most worthy of the trust that I shall
impose in him." The Doctor spoke feelingly.

"Young man," said the Judge, addressing Leon, "I hope you appreciate
the rare opportunity offered to you by my friend. If you are really
capable of becoming his successor, then you are destined to be a power
in the community, as he is to-day."

"Judge Dudley," said Leon, "I know that I am most fortunate. Dr.
Medjora has taken me from beggary, and placed before me a future which
would tempt any young man. But, to me, it means more than a salvation
from drudgery; it means more than a high-road to fortune. I feel that
I am destined to realize the hopes of my life, the yearnings of all my
past days. I shall have a chance to acquire learning, to cultivate my
intellect, to gain knowledge, which in my mind is the supremest
power."

The Judge was somewhat surprised to hear such words from a country
lad, still habited in clothing more suited to a farmer than to one
with such aspirations. He said: "Young man, you interest me. Evidently
you have learned to think for yourself. Come, tell me! Why do you lay
such store by knowledge, when the rest of mankind are crying for
money?"

"Money! Money! Money!" repeated Leon with a contemptuous curl of the
lip. "Judge Dudley, I am nearing my majority, and I can say, that in
all my life I do not think that I have owned more than fifty dollars.
My food, clothing, and a home, have been provided for me, but aside
from that I have not spent more than the sum named, and most of that
went for books. So, you see, one may live without wealth, if enough to
cover actual necessities be his. Without knowledge, a man would be an
idiot. I think that is a logical proposition. If you grant that, then
the less knowledge one has, the nearer he must be to the imbecile, and
the more he acquires, the closer he approaches the highest stage of
existence. Money we leave behind us at death. Knowledge, on the
contrary, not only goes with us, but is really the only guarantee the
individual has of a continuance of existence beyond the grave."

The Judge became more and more interested, and Dr. Medjora, observing
the good impression which his _protege_ was making, was content to
remain silent and listen.

"Your last statement indicates that you have formulated some mode of
reasoning, upon wh