194 Kate OSorne. April, 



was not exactly a-plomb with the good widow's plans. Kate was a 

 school-girl, to be sure ; but, then, she would soon enter society ; she and 

 Clinton were evidently well pleased with each other ; and the affectionate 

 aunt sincerely loved her niece ; she, therefore, desired to ' settle ' her 

 niece in her own city for the sake of her companionship, and to secun- 

 Kate's advanceriicnt in social position ; of her final marriage with Clin 

 ton, the good widow did not harbor a doubt, though not an intimation of 

 such a thought had she ever let drop from her lips. Hence, this ne^w 

 discovered penchant for farming life in Clinton did not exactly suit her 

 purposes; and this led to her playful contrasts of the titular dignities 

 of the ' Esquire,' with the unpretending name of ' Farmer ; ' for Mrs. 

 Sinclair was a lady too sensible and intelligent, to attach any importance 

 to the contrasts she had herself presented. And, when Clinton remarked 

 that ' nothing was more probable ' than his pursuing the plan she thus 

 proposed, she at once gave the conversation a more earnest turn by saying 

 to Clinton — " But, as you have intimated, that you do not possess a for- 

 tune, how could you surrender the prospects of an ample income and 

 ultimate wealth which professional pursuits hold out?" 



Your question, my dear Madam," replied Clinton, •' seems to assume 

 that the pursuits of agriculture do not proffer remuneration equal to the 

 professions. If so, then you must pardon me for dissenting from your 

 conclusion by dissenting from the premises; for, I do not know that the 

 position your question assumes as true, has ever been so determined. 

 Indeed, I am inclined to the opinion that the economic question of ' prices 

 and profits,' is resolvable altogether in favor of the agriculturist, as 

 between him and the learned professions, so called." 



" How can this be so, Mr. Clinton," responded the widow, " when it is 

 proverbial that the profession of Law is the road to wealth and 

 distinction ? " 



" This proverbial idea," said Clinton, " as I must beg leave to assure 

 you, is founded, like many other popular proverbs, on the seeming rather 

 than on the true. And your own observation, if so directed, will doubt- 

 less suffice to convince you that lawyers seldom leave large estates acquired 

 in strict professional practice. And the dazzling effect of a single 

 successful professional career, glaring athwart the public mind, leaves 

 there the impression that the attainment of this result is i\iQ rule, instead 

 of being the exception : and, thus, such examples only 'lead to bewilder, 

 and dazzle to blind." 



" But, if the worthy and eminent in your profession," persisted the 

 widow, " can achieve these 'exceptions,' as you are pleased to call them, 

 who can have greater promise of this success than yourself, to whom, — 



