on
consternation.

"Yes, sir; I intend to be a lawyer, if it please the Lord to bless my
earnest efforts," replied the youth reverently.

"Why--I am a lawyer!" exclaimed the judge.

"I am aware that you are a very distinguished one, sir, having risen to
the bench of the Supreme Court of your native State," replied the youth
respectfully.

The judge remained in a sort of panic of astonishment. The thought in
his mind was this: What--you? you, the nephew of my overseer, have you
the astounding impudence, the madness, to think that you can enter a
profession of which I am a member?

Ishmael saw that thought reflected in his countenance and smiled to
himself.

"But--how do you propose ever to become a lawyer?" inquired the judge,
aloud.

"By reading law," answered Ishmael simply.

"What! upon your own responsibility?"

"Upon my own responsibility for a while. I shall try afterwards to
enter the office of some lawyer. I shall use every faculty, try every
means and improve every opportunity that Heaven grants me for this end.
And thus I hope to succeed," said Ishmael gravely.

"Are you aware," inquired the judge, with a little sarcasm in his tone,
"that some knowledge of the classics is absolutely necessary to the
success of a lawyer?"

"I am aware that a knowledge of the classics is very desirable in each
and all of what are termed the 'learned professions'; but I did not
know, and I do not think, that it can be absolutely necessary in every
grade of each of these; but if so, it is well for me that I have a fair
knowledge of Latin and Greek," replied Ishmael.

"What did you say?" inquired the judge, with ever-increasing wonder.

Ishmael blushed at the perception that while he only meant to state a
fact, he might be suspected of making a boast.

"Did you say that you knew anything of Latin and Greek?" inquired the
judge, in amazement.

"Something of both, sir," replied Ishmael modestly.

"But surely you never picked up a smattering of the classics while
sweeping out Middleton's family schoolroom!"

"Oh, no, sir!" laughed Ishmael.

"Where then?"

Ishmael's reply was lost in the bustling entrance of Doctor Jarvis, whom
Judge Merlin arose to receive.

The doctor examined the condition of his patient, found him with an
accession of fever, prescribed a complete repose for the remainder of
the day, left some medicine with directions for its administration, and
departed. The judge accompanied the doctor