e all
right. I never knew 'em to fail to pass a student that had read with
me--it wouldn't be professional courtesy to me. You'll go through all
right, don't worry. You want to post up on a few such questions as,
'What is the law?' and 'What are the seven--or is it eight?--forms of
actions at law?' Then you want to be able to answer on 'What was the
rule in Shelley's Case?' There's sure to be some fool or other that'll
ask you that question, just to show off--I don't remember what the
d----d thing is myself--and you'll never hear of it again; but you get
fixed to answer them three questions, an' you can be admitted to the
bar all right anywhere in the State of Illinois, or leastways in this
county. Then it's customary for a fellow just admitted to the bar to
have a little jug around at his office before court adjourns--just to
comply with a professional custom, you know. No trouble about it--not
in the least. I'll see you through."

"I am clear in my own mind that I don't know much about the law," said
Franklin, "and I should not think of going up for examination if that
ended my studies in the profession. If I were intending to go into
practice here, sir, or near by, I should not think of applying for
admission for at least another year. But the fact is, I'm thinking of
going away."

"Goin' away?" Judge Bradley straightened up, and his expression if
anything was one of relief. He had had his own misgivings about this
grave-faced and mature young man should he go into the practice at the
Bloomsbury bar. It was well enough to encourage such possibilities to
take their test in some other locality. Judge Bradley therefore became
more cheerful. "Goin' away, eh?" he said. "Where to?"

"Out West," said Franklin, unconsciously repeating the phrase which was
then upon the lips of all the young men of the country.

"Out West, eh?" said the judge, with still greater cheerfulness.
"That's right, that's right. That's the place to go to, where you can
get a better chance. I came West in my day myself, though it isn't
West now; an' that's how I got my start. There's ten chances out there
to where there's one here, an' you'll get better pay for what you do.
I'd advise it, sir--I'd advise it; yes, indeed."

"I think it will be better," said Franklin calmly.

"Hate to lose you," said the judge, politely--"hate to lose you, of
course, but then a young man's got to make his way; he's got to get his
start."

Fra