unmanageable, as well as injudiciously provocative of much jealousy and
unrest. But the principle is sound, as you have admitted, and the great
law of adjustment will correct all that is undesirable, and in a very
few years. Meanwhile, get rich yourself, Mr. Gwynne. I'm delighted to
learn that corporation law has appealed to you so strongly, for the
money is there. I'm glad I came. I'd like to do one of your blood a good
turn, to say nothing of yourself. Perfect yourself in corporation law
and Leslie says you accumulate more rapidly than any hundred ordinarily
well-equipped men one might name--and I can put you in the way of
clearing a hundred thousand a year."

"_Could_ you?"

"Yes, sir. What the great corporations want, and want badly, even with
all the good legal talent they've got, is an attorney of extraordinary
abilities, and this you have. I understand that the legal luminary of
that reform set in San Francisco has offered to take you into his
office. That's about as great a compliment as even you could have, but
there's nothing in it. They're playing a losing game. They ought to win,
but they won't. The San Francisco Boss may be what we elegantly term a
shyster lawyer, but there never was as clever a one; and there's no
trick he doesn't know. He'll beat them at every turn. You'd only make
one more of that estimable Don Quixote band. Don't waste your youth.
Study corporation law with all your might and main, and _I'll_ place you
where you'll make a big income from the start--and it'll grow bigger
every year. Then when your turn comes to vote and run for office--why,
the whole field will be open to you to pick and choose from.
Corporations are not ungrateful, and with a mighty one behind you, I
guess you wouldn't whistle for anything, long."

Gwynne regarded the thin sole of his house shoe with so rueful a
countenance that the judge laughed outright. "Have you really had
thoughts of working up a reform party?" he cried, the dancing imps in
his eyes almost escaping.

"Well, I may have dreamed a bit that way. You see, I come of a family of
reformers." And he gave the judge a rapid sketch of the part his English
forefathers had played in the great reform acts of their country. The
judge nodded sympathetically.

"Just so. I understand your point of view perfectly. Perfectly. But
those great movements in England are matched here by spasms only. This
country is too big and too heterogeneous. Don't set yourself bet