At an early age John Nichols Tom showed a mischievous disposition. He was turned out of the dame's school at which he had been placed for cutting off the whiskers of her favourite cat. At the next school where he was placed he exhibited the characteristic vanity that was a leading feature through life. He liked to be thought to know more than any of his fellow pupils. One day he propounded to them the question:—
"Who is Neptune? I bet none of you know."
"Neptune," replied one urchin, "is my father's Newfoundland dog."
"Then who is Venus?"
"She is mother's spaniel bitch," answered one of the boys.
John Nichols in a fury fell on both with his fists.
"No such thing. Neptune is a god, and Venus is a goddess."
A general fray was the result, out of which our hero came mauled.
When it became time for him to strike out a course in life, he was placed in an attorney's office, and he conducted himself there well.