A Step Higher

He will not wait for chances,
For luck he does not look;
In faith his spirit glances
At Providence, God's book;
And there discerning truly
That right is might at length,
He dares go forward duly
In quietness and strength,
Unflinching and unfearing,
The flatterer of none,
And in good courage wearing,
The honors he has won.

--M.F. Tupper.

Ishmael took an early opportunity of speaking to the judge of his
projects. It was one day when they had got through the morning's work
and were seated in the library together, enjoying a desultory chat
before it was time to go to court, that Ishmael said: "Judge Merlin, I am about to make application to be admitted to practice
at the Washington bar."

The judge looked up in surprise.

"Why, Ishmael, you have not graduated at any law school! You have not
even had one term of instruction at any such school."

"I know that I have not enjoyed such advantages, sir; but I have read
law very diligently for the last three years, and with what memory and
understanding I possess, I have profited by my reading."

"But that is not like a regular course of study at a law school."

"Perhaps not, sir; but in addition to my reading, I have had a
considerable experience while acting as your clerk."

"So you have; and you have profited by all the experience you have
gained while with me. I have seen that; you have acquitted yourself
unusually well, and been of very great service to me; but still I insist
that law-office business and law-book knowledge is not everything; there
is more required to make a good lawyer."