we have not found the graduates of West Point,
who had a great theoretic knowledge of the science of war, more
successful in action than the volunteers, whose only school was actual
practice in the field. And look at our Senate and House of
Representatives, sir; are the most distinguished statesmen there
graduates of colleges? Quite the reverse. I do not wish to be so
irreverent as to disparage schools and colleges, sir, I only wish to be
so just as to exalt talent, industry, and perseverance to their proper
level," said Ishmael warmly.

"Special pleading, my boy," said the judge.

Ishmael blushed, laughed, and replied:

"Yes, sir, I acknowledge that it is very special pleading. I have made
up my mind to be a candidate for admission to the Washington bar; and
having done so, I would like to get your approbation."

"What do you want with my approbation, boy? With or without it, you will
get on."

"But more pleasantly with it, sir," smiled Ishmael.

"Very well, very well; take it then. Go ahead. I wish you success. But
what is the use of telling you to go ahead, when you will go ahead
anyhow, in spite of fate? Or why should I wish you success, when I know
you will command success? Ah, Ishmael, you can do without me; but how
shall I ever be able to do without you?" inquired the judge, with an odd
expression between a smile and a sigh.

"My friend and patron, I must be admitted to practice at the Washington
bar; but I will not upon that account leave your service while I can be
of use to you," said Ishmael, with earnestness; for next to adoring
Claudia, he loved best for her sake to honor her father.

"That's a good lad. Be sure you keep your promise," said the judge,
smiling, and laying his hand caressingly on Ishmael's head.

And then as it was time for the judge to go to the Supreme Court, he
arose and departed, leaving Ishmael to write out a number of legal
documents.

Ishmael lost no time in carrying his resolution into effect. He passed a
very successful examination and was duly admitted to practice in the
Washington courts of law.

A few evenings after this, as Ishmael was still busy in the little
library, trying to finish a certain task before the last beams of the
sun had faded away, the judge entered, smiling, holding in his hand a
formidable-looking document and a handful of gold coin.

"There, Ishmael," he said, laying the document and the gold on the table
before the young man; "there is your fir