All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

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ALL IN A GARDEN FAIR.
orders, and is now a country vicar, and more
solemn than tlie whole bench of bishops. The
third became a painter, and a great painter,
and an Academician, and is held in high
esteem, so that his name is known everywhere.
The venerable parents regard this son even as
the Prodigal. To be sure, he does not live on
husks, nor has he yet returned to ask for the
fatted calf, and from all they can hear he hves
in a good house. But, you see, his greatness
is not of a kind they can understand. Their
eldest son is, in his line, eminent ; he is a warm
man ; he is ex-mayor, and is greatly respected.
They are proud of him. Their next son, who
took the Law degree, and wags an unrelenting
forefinger in a pulpit, dressed in a white sur-
plice and a hood, is also an intelligible success.
It is not every mother wlio has a son in the
Church. But how is the painter to be classified,
and with whom compared ?
This might be, in some sort, Allen's portion.
Uis mother s disappointment would be dreadful
if she learned his ambition. When he set forth