e notion, as though inferring, "See what a noble
fellow I am! with gold and gems such as an emperor might envy, and yet
look at me, carrying a poor old miner's body to the grave just as if we
were equals!"

"It's very handsome of you, Con,--that I must say!" whispered I to
myself; but, somehow, the poor dog did not appear to take the same
exalted notion of my magnanimity, but was entirely engrossed by his
sorrow; for he lay crouching upon the earth, uttering cries the most
piteous and heartrending at each shovelful I threw in the grave.

"Cheer up, poor fellow!" said I, patting him, "you shall have a gold
collar and a clasp of real emerald." How naturally does a rich man recur
to wealth as the cure for every affliction! How difficult for him to
believe that gold is not a sovereign remedy for all disorders!

As for the dog, poor brute! he took no more heed of my consolation
than he noticed my altered condition,--of which, by his familiarity,
he showed himself totally unconscious. How differently had he behaved,
thought I, had he been a man! What sudden respect had he felt for me;
what natural reluctance to obtrude himself on me; how honored by my
notice, how distinguished by my favor! It is plain the dog is a very
inferior animal; his perceptions are not fine enough to distinguish
between the man of wealth and the pauper!

These and very similar reflections engaged me while I completed my task,
after which I carried my precious burdens off, and deposited them within
the hut. By this time I was very hungry, but had nothing to eat save the
fragments that remained from my breakfast,--a singular meal for one who,
in a fitting place, could have dined sumptuously and off vessels of gold
and silver! I had the appetite of a poor man, however, and eat heartily;
and then, taking my gourd of wine, sat down beside a little spring that
issued from the rock, to think over my future.

Perhaps my whole life--not wanting in hours of pleasure and
enjoyment--never presented anything so truly delightful as that evening.

The season of gratification which I had dreamed of, sighed, panted, and
prayed for, was now to be mine. I was at last to be a "gentleman,"--so
far, at least, as immense wealth and a very decided taste for spending
it could make me. But were these, I flatteringly asked myself, all my
qualifications? Was I not master of three or four languages? Had I not
become an expert shot, an excellent rider, a graceful dancer, with