_ to my foe, would
occasionally act as a spur in the side of my intent; but my two best aids
in supplying me with the motive power to keep up my gymnastic practice
were _habit_ and _progress_. What will not habit make easy to us, whether
it be for good or for evil? And what an incentive we have to renewed
effort in finding that we are making actual progress,--that we can do with
comparative facility to-day what we could do only with difficulty
yesterday!

Two years, while we are yet on the sunny side of twenty, are no trifle;
but for two years I persistently and methodically went through the
exercises of the gymnasium. At the end of that time I had quite lost sight
of my original object in cultivating my athletic powers; for all
annoyances towards me had long since been dropped by my old enemy. But
punctually on the day of expiration, the friend who had listened to my
pledge came to me and claimed its fulfilment. From some evidences which he
had recently had of my strength he felt a soothing assurance that I should
have no difficulty in making good my promise.

I accordingly called on the lively young gentleman who two years before
had indulged in those little frolics at my expense. With diplomatic
ceremony and circumlocution I introduced the object of my visit, and wound
up with an _ultimatum_ to this effect: There must either be a frank
apology for past indignities, or he must accompany me, each with a friend,
to some suitable spot, and there decide which was "the better man."

If he had been called on to expiate an offence committed before he was
breeched, the young gentleman could not have been more astounded. Two
years had made some change in our relative positions. I was now about his
equal in size, and felt a comfortable sense of my superiority, so far as
strength was concerned. My shoulders had broadened, and my muscles been
developed, so as to present to the critical and interested observer a
somewhat threatening appearance. Mr. ---- (who, by the way, was a good
fellow in the main) protested that he had never intended to give me any
offence,--that he, in fact, did not remember the circumstances to which I
referred,--and finished by peremptorily declining my proposal. When I
reflected on the disparity between us in strength, which my two years'
practice had established, I felt that it would be cowardly for me to urge
the matter further, especially as it was so long a time since he had given
me cause of complai