The Pavior


  AN Author saw a Labourer hammering stones into the pavement of a 
street, and approaching him said:

  "My friend, you seem weary.  Ambition is a hard taskmaster."

  "I'm working for Mr. Jones, sir," the Labourer replied.

  "Well, cheer up," the Author resumed; "fame comes at the most 
unexpected times.  To-day you are poor, obscure, and disheartened, 
and to-morrow the world may be ringing with your name."

  "What are you giving me?" the Labourer said.  "Cannot an honest 
pavior perform his work in peace, and get his money for it, and his 
living by it, without others talking rot about ambition and hopes 
of fame?"

  "Cannot an honest writer?" said the Author.