horse, father, but to make horse-shoes."

"Perhaps so," said my father; "and it only serves to prove what I was
just saying, that I know little about you."

"But you easily may, my dear father; I will tell you anything that you
may wish to know--shall I inform you how I learnt to make horse-shoes?"

"No," said my father; "as you kept it a secret so long, it may as well
continue so still. Had you been a frank, open-hearted boy, like one I
could name, you would have told me all about it of your own accord. But
I now wish to ask you a serious question--what do you propose to do?"

"To do, father?"

"Yes! the time for which you were articled to your profession will soon
be expired, and I shall be no more."

"Do not talk so, my dear father, I have no doubt that you will soon be
better."

"Do not flatter yourself; I feel that my days are numbered. I am soon
going to my rest, and I have need of rest, for I am weary. There, there,
don't weep! Tears will help me as little as they will you; you have not
yet answered my question. Tell me what you intend to do?"

"I really do not know what I shall do."

"The military pension which I enjoy will cease with my life. The
property which I shall leave behind me will be barely sufficient for the
maintenance of your mother respectably. I again ask you what you intend
to do. Do you think you can support yourself by your Armenian or your
other acquirements?"

"Alas! I think little at all about it; but I suppose I must push into
the world, and make a good fight, as becomes the son of him who fought
Big Ben: if I can't succeed, and am driven to the worst, it is but
dying--"

"What do you mean by dying?"

"Leaving the world; my loss would scarcely be felt. I have never held
life in much value, and every one has a right to dispose as he thinks
best of that which is his own."

"Ah! now I understand you; and well I know how and where you imbibed that
horrible doctrine, and many similar ones which I have heard from your own
mouth; but I wish not to reproach you--I view in your conduct a
punishment for my own sins, and I bow to the will of God. Few and evil
have been my days upon the earth; little have I done to which I can look
back with satisfaction. It is true I have served my king fifty years,
and I have fought with--Heaven forgive me, what was I about to say!--but
you mentioned the man's name, and our minds willingly recall our ancient
follies. Few and evil have be