your native element!' And into the law the subscriber is going. There's

worlds of money in it!--whole worlds of money! Practice first in

Hawkeye, then in Jefferson, then in St. Louis, then in New York! In the

metropolis of the western world! Climb, and climb, and climb--and wind

up on the Supreme bench. Beriah Sellers, Chief Justice of the Supreme

Court of the United States, sir! A made man for all time and eternity!

That's the way I block it out, sir--and it's as clear as day--clear as

the rosy-morn!"

Washington had heard little of this. The first reference to Laura's

trial had brought the old dejection to his face again, and he stood

gazing out of the window at nothing, lost in reverie.

There was a knock-the postman handed in a letter. It was from Obedstown.

East Tennessee, and was for Washington. He opened it. There was a note

saying that enclosed he would please find a bill for the current year's

taxes on the 75,000 acres of Tennessee Land belonging to the estate of

Silas Hawkins, deceased, and added that the money must be paid within

sixty days or the land would be sold at public auction for the taxes, as

provided by law. The bill was for $180--something more than twice the

market value of the land, perhaps.

Washington hesitated. Doubts flitted through his mind. The old instinct

came upon him to cling to the land just a little longer and give it one

more chance. He walked the floor feverishly, his mind tortured by

indecision. Presently he stopped, took out his pocket book and counted

661

The Gilded Age