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income. But he was far from being rich, and had the good sense not to
assume a style of living beyond his means.

Henry Wallingford was the son of an old friend of Squire Floyd's.
The elder Mr. Wallingford was not a man of the Squire's caution and
prudence. He was always making mistakes in matters of business, and
never succeeded well in any thing. He died when his son was about
eighteen years of age. Henry was at that time studying law with Judge
Bigelow. As, in the settlement of his father's estate, it was found to
be wholly insolvent, Henry, unwilling to be dependent on his mother, who
had a small income in her own right, gave notice to the Judge that he
was about to leave his office. Now, the Judge was a man of penetration,
and had already discovered in the quiet, reserved young man, just the
qualities needed to give success in the practice of law. He
looked calmly at his student for some moments after receiving this
announcement, conning over his face, which by no means gave indications
of a happy state of mind.

"You think you can find a better preceptor?" said the Judge, at last, in
his calm way.

"No, sir! no!" answered Henry, quickly. "Not in all this town, nor out
of it, either. It is not that, Judge Bigelow."

"Then you don't fancy the law?"

"On the contrary, there is no other calling in life that presents to my
mind any thing attractive," replied Henry, in a tone of despondency that
did not escape the Judge.

"Well, if that is the case, why not keep on? You are getting along
bravely."

"I must support myself, sir--must do something besides sitting here and
reading law books."

"Ah, yes, I see." The Judge spoke to himself, as if light had broken
into his mind. "Well, Henry," he added, looking at the young man, "what
do you propose doing?"

"I have hands and health," was the reply.

"Something more than hands and health are required in this world. What
can you do?"

"I can work on a farm, if nothing better offers. Or, may be, I can get a
place in some store."

"There's good stuff in the lad," said Judge Bigelow to himself. Then
speaking aloud--

"I'll think this matter over for you, Henry. Let it rest for a day or
two. The law is your proper calling, and you must not give it up, if you
can be sustained in it."

On that very day, Judge Bigelow saw Squire Floyd, and talked the matter
over with him. They had but one sentiment in the matter, and that was
favorable to Henry's remaining where