nd something to do, and
without success. I have exhausted my own city, and have now come to
yours. Your name was familiar to me as one which my father respected,
and it occurred to me to tell you my story. I am quite prepared to be
informed that there are a thousand applicants for every vacancy, and
that such a case as mine is not especially deserving. In one sense of
the word you would be right; there are others who suffer more acutely
than I, but few who suffer more unjustly. And the whole cause is to be
found in a single phrase,--I am a gentleman."

"You are indeed to be pitied," said Mr. Chelm, with an amused laugh.

"And what is more, it is not my fault. I am not responsible for it; I
was born so. My case is precisely opposite to that of most of my
contemporaries. They find it easy enough to get occupation, but very
difficult to be gentlemen; I know how to behave like a gentleman, but
can find nothing to do. Gentlemen are evolved, not made. Would to Heaven
I had been consulted on the subject! But I awoke one day and found
myself what I am. Let me rehearse to you briefly my qualifications. I
was sent to school abroad, and was graduated from college at home. I
speak fluently three modern languages besides my own, and have a bowing
acquaintance with two dead ones. I have read widely enough in history,
political economy, literature, science, and music to be superficial. I
can write verses, play on the piano and flute, fence, flirt, and lead
the cotillon. All this the public seem to recognize and give me credit
for; but when I ask them to take me seriously, as they would the veriest
beggar in the street, the frivolous look incredulous and giggle, and the
practical frown and point me to the door. And why? Simply,--and this
will, it may be, anticipate your criticism,--simply because I wear
well-fitting clothes, address a lady with gallantry, and change my coat
for dinner. Let me add at once, if you have no assistance to offer as to
how I shall find employment except to go from office to office with a
long face and baggy trousers, I must respectfully decline to take the
step. It has become a matter of pride with me: I draw the line there.
Call it volatile, foolish, obstinate, what you will,--I propose to be a
gentleman to the last. I will starve with a smile on my face and a
flawless coat on my back, though it be my only one. As I have said,
gentlemen are evolved, not made; and we owe it to our sons to keep up
the standar