may be able to spare from our daily exertions."

"I perceive, brother," replied Mr. Draper, a little scornfully, "you have
not increased in worldly wisdom."

"I have not been much in the way of it," said Howard.--"Mine is a still,
peaceful life--I study the changes of the atmosphere more than the
science of worldly wisdom."

"We can get along, however, but poorly without it," replied Mr. Draper;
"the harmlessness of the dove is no match for the cunning of the
serpent."

"True," said Howard; "but if you mean me by the dove, there is no
necessity for my venturing into the nest of serpents. I am well aware
that my habits of thinking and modes of life are tame and dull, compared
to your projects and success;--but we are differently constituted, and
while I honor your spirit and enterprise, and do justice to the honest
and intelligent business men of your city, I am contented with my own
lot, which is that of a farmer, whose object is to earn a competency from
his native soil, or, in other words, from ploughing and planting. I have
no desire for speculation, no courage for it; neither do I think, with a
family like mine, I have a right to _risk_ my property."

"There you are wrong; every body has a right to do as he pleases with his
own property."

"To be honest, then," replied Howard, "I have none that I call
exclusively my own. Property is given to us for the benefit of others;
every man is accountable for his stewardship."

"But can you do better than to double and treble it every year, or, by
some fortunate speculation, convert ten thousand dollars into ten times
ten thousand?"

"I should say," replied Howard, "if this were a certainty, it would cease
to be _speculation_, and I should feel bound to do it, within honest
means. But as the guardian of my family, I feel that I have no right to
venture my little capital in a lottery."

"It is lucky all men are not of your mind," said Mr. Draper, rather
impatiently, and taking up his pen, which he had laid down;--"but really,
brother, I am full of engagements, and though I am rejoiced to see you, I
must defer further conversation till we meet at dinner; then we shall
have time to talk over your affairs; just now, I am wholly engaged."

Near the dinner hour Howard went to his brother's house. It was large,
and elegantly furnished, and, what in the city is rather uncommon,
surrounded by trees and pleasure-grounds, a fine yard in front, and a
large garden in the