ery as the stranger
approached.

"I judge he's a parson, from the cut of his clothes," observed Cheery.
Then as the new-comer advanced he called: "Hello, friend! Who'd 'a
thought of meeting company this far back in these mountains?"

"This is only about eight miles from the town where I live," answered
the gentleman, who now seated himself near them with his back against a
tree, "I know the paths through here fairly well, for I come this way
several times through the summer. But this will be my last trip for
the season, and I'm giving a little more time to it on that account.
I've taken it somewhat leisurely to-day."

He was a delicate-looking, middle-aged man, with a mild voice and a
kind face.

"You're a drummer for a publishing house, I take it?" said Growler,
nodding toward the books in the strap. "I've just been wondering where
you'd find any buyers in these infernal woods."

The gentleman laughed. "No," said he, "this is my regular route; but
I'm not a commercial traveler in any sense. I'm a pastor at a town
near here, and I go out to these mountain families to hold services
every few weeks."

"You don't mean you foot it through these bushes and among these
wildcats to preach to the mountaineers!" exclaimed Growler in
astonishment.

"Certainly I do. These poor people would never hear the sound of the
gospel if some one did not take it to them. They have souls to be
saved, my friend. I feel it is my duty to carry the word to them. As
for the wildcats," he continued, smiling, "I have my rifle. Besides
the government offers a small bounty for every wildcat."

"Oh, yes, I see. You combine business with pleasure and have your
wildcat bounty to pay expenses as you go along--or else keep it for
pin-money," and Growler laughed good-humoredly at his own fun.

"You're the parson from St. Thomas, I judge," said Cheery.

The gentleman bowed, and said he was the pastor of that little church.

"I've heard of your mission work, and I understand you've done a great
deal of good among the mountain whites."

"How many churches have you in these mountains?" interrupted Growler.

"I have but the one church organization, for outside through the
mountains there are no churches--no buildings, no organizations.
People ten and fifteen miles apart can't very well have churches. I
visit the families. I have three on this mountain side. I am well
repaid for all the sacrifice of comfort I make, in knowing how gla