hen one day Uncle John, having duly
screwed up his courage, walked into his master's private room, and,
after a little preliminary hesitation, ventured to hint that he should
like to be articled! The master stared--the clerk remained silently
awaiting his answer.

"Are you aware," inquired the former, "that the expense of the stamp,
&c., is one hundred and twenty pounds?"

Uncle John _was_ aware of it, and he was prepared with the money. He had
saved it out of his miserable salary.

The master stared still more. But, after a short time, he consented to
article Uncle John, and to continue his salary during the term of his
articles. Uncle John was in ecstasies, and so far forgot his usual
prudence that evening as to indulge in half a pint of bad port wine--a
taste, by the way, which he has retained to this day.

He was now a happy man. Every thing was "en train" now to make him one
day a "gentleman by Act of Parliament"--as attorneys are facetiously
termed. It would certainly require something more than even the
omnipotence of an Act of Parliament to confer the character on some of
the fraternity.

During the first year of his articles the managing clerk died, and Uncle
John was promoted to that office with a salary of two hundred a year.
Here was, indeed, a rise in life--from seven shillings a week to two
hundred a year! Happy Uncle John. But you deserved it all; for you had
plenty of the courage which is prepared for all ills, and endures those
which it can not conquer.

Long before the five years of his articles had expired, the clerk had
made himself so absolutely necessary to the master, that the latter
could scarcely have carried on the business for a month without him.
Therefore, when the time arrived at which he ceased to be a clerk and
became himself an attorney, Uncle John hinted to his master that he was
going to leave him. Cunning Uncle John! You had no such intention; but
you knew that your master would take alarm, beg you to stay, and offer
you a partnership. Of course--and he did so.

Uncle John's path in life was from henceforth comparatively smooth. He
was the working partner in a business which was both profitable and of
good quality. Within a few years his partner was foolish enough to
quarrel with him, and to demand a dissolution of the partnership. Uncle
John readily consented, and all the clients knowing well who was the man
that understood the business and transacted it, followed him; and he