sort of fellow that ought to be--let us see now what you
ought to be,--yes, you 're just the stamp of man for an apothecary."

"You are so charming in your frankness," said I, "that you almost tempt
me to imitate you."

"And why not? Sure we oughtn't to talk to each other like two devils in
waiting. Out with what you have to say!"

"I was just thinking," said I,--"led to it by that speculative turn of
yours,--I was just thinking in what station _your_ abilities would have
pre-eminently distinguished you."

"Well, have you hit it?"

"I'm not quite certain," said I, trying to screw up my courage for an
impertinence, "but I half suspect that in our great national works--our
lines of railroad, for instance--there must be a strong infusion of men
with tastes and habits resembling yours."

"You mean the navvies?" broke he in. "You 're right, I was a navvy once;
I turned the first spadeful of earth on the Coppleston Junction, and,
seeing what a good thing might be made of it, I suggested task-work to
my comrades, and we netted from four-and-six to five shillings a day
each. In eight months after, I was made an inspector; so that you see
strong sinews can be good allies to a strong head and a stout will."

I do not believe that the most angry rebuke, the most sarcastic
rejoinder, could have covered me with a tenth part of the shame and
confusion that did these few words. I'd have given worlds, if I had
them, to make a due reparation for my rudeness, but I knew not how to
accomplish it I looked into his face to read if I might hit upon some
trait by which his nature could be approached; but I might as well have
gazed at a line of railroad to guess the sort of town that it led to.
The stern, rugged, bold countenance seemed to imply little else than
daring and determination, and I could not but wonder how I had ever
dared to take a liberty with one of his stamp.

"Well," said I, at last, and wishing to lead him back to his story, "and
after being made inspector--"

"You can speak German well," said he, totally inattentive to my
question; "just ask one of these people when there will be any
conveyance from this to Ragatz."

"Ragatz, of all places!" exclaimed I.

"Yes; they tell me it's good for the rheumatics, and I have got some
old shoulder pains I 'd like to shake off before winter. And then this
sprain, too; I foresee I shall not be able to walk much for some days to
come."

"Ragatz is on my road; I am about to c