moist leaves were several fair-sized trout. Jasper
had not been fishing for pleasure, but merely for food, as his scanty
supply was almost gone. The fish would serve him for supper and
breakfast. Beyond that he could not see, for he had not the least idea
what he was to do to earn a living, and at the same time assist old
David.

Though the day was exceptionally fine, Jasper did not enjoy it as at
other times. His mind was too much occupied with other matters. All
things seemed to be against him in his struggle to advance. It had
been the same for years, and now the climax had been reached. What was
he to do? he had asked himself over and over again during the
afternoon. Should he give up in despair? What was the use of trying
any longer? He had seen young men succeeding in life who had not made
any efforts. Money and influence had pushed them along. Dick Sinclair
would soon join their ranks. He had lived, a life of indolence, and
yet it would be only a short time ere he would be looked upon as a
prominent citizen. The papers would speak of his ability and write
glowing articles about whatever he did. Where was the justice of it
all? he questioned. Did not real worth and effort amount to anything
in life's struggle?

At length, tired with such thoughts, he drew forth from an inside
pocket a small book. It was well marked and showed constant usage. It
was a volume of Emerson's Essays, a number of which he knew almost by
heart. It was only natural that the book should open at the essay on
Self-reliance, for there the pages were most thumb-marked. His eyes
rested upon the words: "There is a time in every man's education when
he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance." He read on to
the beginning of the next paragraph, "Trust thyself: every heart
vibrates to that iron string."

The book dropped from Jasper's hand and once more he gave himself up to
thought. He knew how true were those words. He realised that envy is
ignorance, and it was his duty to rise above it. Why should he spend
his strength in envying others? He would conquer and make them envy
him. Ah, that idea brought a flush to his face. He would trust
himself, as Emerson said, and some day the very ones who looked down
upon him and spurned him would come to him. How he was to accomplish
this Jasper had no idea. But there was comfort in thinking about it,
anyway, and he felt sure that a way would be opened whereby he could