“The dickens you did!” exclaimed Endicott. “What did you do that for?” “Well, it was there and I could, and I wanted to know about it.” “H’m!” said Endicott. “I wonder what some of my pedigreed million-dollar friend’s sons would think of that? Well, go on.” “Why, that’s all,” laughed Michael happily. “I studied it and I want to try it and see what I can do with it. I want to buy a farm.” “How would you manage to be a farmer and a lawyer both?” “Well, I thought there might he a little time after hours to work, and I could tell others how—” “Oh, I see you want to be a gentleman farmer,” laughed Endicott. “I understand that’s expensive business.” “I think I could make it pay, sir.” said Michael shutting his lips with that firm challenge of his. “I’d like to try.” Endicott looked at him quizzically for a minute and then whirling around in his office chair he reached out his hand to a pigeon hole and took out a deed. “I’ve a mind to let you have your try,” said Endicott, chuckling as if it were a good joke. “Here’s a little farm down in Jersey. It’s swampy and thick with mosquitoes. I understand it won’t grow a beanstalk. There are twelve acres and a tumble-down house on it. I’ve had to take it in settlement of a mortgage. The man’s dead and there’s nothing but the farm to lay hands on. He hasn’t even left a chick or child to leave his debt to. I don’t want the farm and I can’t sell it without a lot of trouble. I’ll give it to you. You may consider it a birthday present. If you’ll pay the taxes I’ll be glad to get it off my hands. That’ll be something for you to be independent about.” He touched a bell and a boy appeared. “Take this to Jowett and tell him to have a deed made out to Michael Endicott, and to attend to the transfer of the property, nominal sum. Understand?” The boy said, “Yes, sir,” and disappeared with the paper. “But I can’t take a present like that from you after all you have done for me,” gasped Michael, a granite determination showing in his blue eyes. “Nonsense,” said Endicott. “Other men give their sons automobiles when they come of age. Mayn’t I give you a farm if I like? Besides, I tell you it’s of no account. I want to get rid of it, and I want to see what you’ll make of it. I’d like to amuse myself seeing you try your experiment.” “If you’ll let me pay you for it little by little—” “Suit yourself after you have become a great lawyer,” laughed Endicott, “but not till then, remember. There, cut it out, son! I don’t want to be thanked. Here’s the description of the place and directions how to get there. It isn’t many miles away. If you’ve got a half holiday run down and look it over. It’ll keep you out of mischief. There’s nothing like an ambition to keep people out of mischief. Run along now, I haven’t another minute to spare, but mind you turn up at Holt’s office this day two weeks, and report to me afterwards how you like it. I don’t want to lose sight of you again.”