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

1 86 ALL LY A GARDEN FAIR.
command you to ^vritc every day something.
And now, if you please, I will tell you, in order
to encourage you, the story of a niijn wlio tried
to be a poet and failed, because he left off
trying.'
' I would rather,' said Allen, feebly smiling,
* hear the story of the man who succeeded.'
'You may read plenty of such stories in
books. Listen, Claire, my child ; if you can
listen and make music at the same time, please
to go on playing. If not, leave the piano and
sit on your stool, and give your father both
your hands.'
Claire sat at his feet and gave him her
hands. She knew that he was going to tell
them something about himself.
' The young man of whom I speak was a
student it faisoit son droit—he was studying
law. In the same way began young Arouet
and young Poqueliii. It is not, my friend, that
law produces poets, but tliat poets quickly
abandon law. This young student, who never
opened a law-book, spent all liis time in writing