"Yes--the richest in the county. And what is more, he's a shrewd,
far-seeing man, and knows how to multiply his riches."

"How is his son Willy coming on?"

"Oh! first-rate."

The landlord's eyes fell under the searching look I bent upon him.

"How old is he now?"

"Just twenty."

"A critical age," I remarked.

"So people say; but I didn't find it so," answered Slade, a little
distantly.

"The impulses within and the temptations without, are the measure
of its dangers. At his age, you were, no doubt, daily employed at
hard work."

"I was, and no mistake."

"Thousands and hundreds of thousands are indebted to useful work,
occupying many hours through each day, and leaving them with
wearied bodies at night, for their safe passage from yielding
youth to firm, resisting manhood. It might not he with you as it
is now, had leisure and freedom to go in and out when you pleased
been offered at the age of nineteen."