my clothes and sketches to make futile speculations, my dream of Paris

quite vanished. I was cheered by no word of kindness and helped by no

hint of counsel from my father.

All the time he was no doubt thinking of little else but his son, and

what to do with him. I believe he had been really appalled by what he

regarded as my laxity of principle, and began to think it might be

well to preserve me from temptation; the architect of the capitol had,

besides, spoken obligingly of my design; and while he was thus hanging

between two minds, Fortune suddenly stepped in, and Muskegon State

capitol reversed my destiny.

"Loudon," said my father, as he met me at the depot, with a smiling

countenance, "if you were to go to Paris, how long would it take you to

become an experienced sculptor?"

"How do you mean, father?" I cried. "Experienced?"

"A man that could be entrusted with the highest styles," he answered;

"the nude, for instance; and the patriotic and emblematical styles."

"It might take three years," I replied.

"You think Paris necessary?" he asked. "There are great advantages

in our own country; and that man Prodgers appears to be a very clever

sculptor, though I suppose he stands too high to go around giving

lessons."

"Paris is the only place," I assured him.

"Well, I think myself it will sound better," he admitted. "A Young Man,

a Native of this State, Son of a Leading Citizen, Studies Prosecuted

under the Most Experienced Masters in Paris," he added, relishingly.

"But, my dear dad, what is it all about?" I interrupted. "I never even

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