"But we have only met once before," said Barnabas.

"True! And yet I seem to have known you years ago,--that is what

puzzles me! But come, young sir,--if you have time and inclination

to share a vagrant's breakfast, I can offer you eggs and new milk,

and bread and butter,--simple fare, but more wholesome than your

French ragouts and highly-seasoned dishes."

"You are very kind," said Barnabas, "the ride has made me hungry,

--besides, I should like to talk with you."

"Why, then--light down from that great horse of yours, and join me.

The grass must be both chair and table, but here is a tree for your

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back, and the bank for mine."

So, having dismounted and secured his horse's bridle to a convenient

branch, Barnabas sat himself down with his back to the tree, and

accepted the wandering Preacher's bounty as freely as it was offered.

And when the Preacher had spoken a short grace, they began to eat,

and while they ate, to talk, as follows: Barnabas. "It is three weeks, I think, since we met?"

The Preacher. "A month, young sir."

Barnabas. "So long a time?"

The Preacher. "So short a time. You have been busy, I take it?"

Barnabas. "Yes, sir. Since last we met I have bought a house and set

up an establishment in London, and I have also had the good fortune

to be entered for the Gentleman's Steeplechase on the fifteenth."

The Preacher. "You are rich, young sir?"

Barnabas. "And I hope to be famous also."

The Preacher. "Then indeed do I begin to tremble for you."

Barnabas (staring). "Why so?"

The Preacher. "Because wealth is apt to paralyze effort, and Fame is

generally harder to bear, and far more dangerous, than failure."

Barnabas. "How dangerous, sir?"

The Preacher. "Because he who listens too often to the applause of

the multitude grows deaf to the voice of Inspiration, for it is a

very small, soft voice, and must be hearkened for, and some call it

Genius, and some the Voice of God--"

Barnabas. "But Fame means Power, and I would succeed for the sake of

others beside myself. Yes,--I must succeed, and, as I think you once

said, all things are possible to us! Pray, what did you mean?"

The Preacher. "Young sir, into each of us who are born into this

world God puts something of Himself, and by reason of this Divine

part, all things are possible."

Barnabas. "Yet the world is full of failures."

The Preacher. "Alas! yes; but only because men do not realize power

within them. For man is a selfish creature, and Self is always

grossly blind. But let a man look within himself, let him but become

convinced of this Divine power, and the sure and certain knowledge

of ultimate success will be his. So, striving diligently, this power

shall grow within him, and by and by he shall achieve great things,

and the world proclaim him a Genius."




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