them tripping, and take
a step higher in the class." And he declared to Mrs. Middleton that his
own sons had never progressed so rapidly in their studies as now that
they had found in Ishmael Worth a worthy competitor to spur them on.
Upon that very account, he said, the boy was invaluable in the school.

Well, John and James had all Ishmael's industry and ambition, but they
had not his genius! consequently they were soon distanced in the race by
our boy. Ishmael got above James, and kept his place; then he got above
John, at the head of the class, and kept that place also; and finally he
got so far ahead of all his classmates that, not to retard his progress,
Mr. Middleton felt obliged to advance him a step higher and place him
beside Walter who, up to this time, had stood alone, unapproached and
unapproachable, at the head of the school.

John and James, being generous rivals, saw this well-merited advancement
without "envy, hatred or malice"; but to Alfred ind Benjamin Burghe it
was as gall and wormwood.

Walter was, of course, as yet much in advance of Ishmael; but, in
placing the boys together, Mr. Middleton had said:

"Now, Walter, you are about to be put upon your very best mettle.
Ishmael will certainly overtake you, and if you are not very careful he
will soon surpass you."

The noble boy laughed as he replied:

"After what I have seen of Ishmael for the last two or three years,
father, I dare not make any promises! I think I am a fair match for most
youths of my age; and I should not mind competing with industry alone,
or talent alone, or with a moderate amount of both united in one boy;
but, really, when it comes to competing with invincible genius combined
with indomitable perseverence, I do not enter into the contest with any
very sanguine hopes of success."

The youth's previsions proved true. Before the year was out Ishmael
stood by his side, his equal, and bidding fair to become his superior.

Mr. Middleton had too much magnanimity to feel any little paternal
jealousy on this account. He knew that his own son was highly gifted in
moral and intellectual endowments, and he was satisfied; and if Ishmael
Worth was even his son's superior in these respects, the generous man
only rejoiced the more in contemplating the higher excellence.

Commodore Burghe was also proud of his protege. He was not very well
pleased that his own sons were eclipsed by the brighter talents of the
peasant boy; but he only