then the world would be a better place to live
in, or rather, the men in it would be better to live among.

"Victor Hugo,--'Les Miserables'!--" he went on. "To my mind, the
greatest of all novelists and the greatest of all novels."

He laid the book aside, and sought my confidences, not as a preacher,
not as a pedagog, but as a friend; making no effort to probe my past,
seeking no secrets; but all anxiety for my welfare; keen to know my
ambitions, my aspirations, my pastimes and my habits of living; open
and frank in telling me of himself. He was a man's man, with the
experience of men that one gets only by years of close contact.

"For twenty years it has been God's will to allow me to travel up and
down this beloved coast and minister to those who need me."

"You must like the work, sir," I ventured.

"Like it!--oh! yes, yes,---I would not exchange my post for the City
Temple of London, England."

"But such toil must be arduous, Mr. Auld, for you are not a young man
and you do not look altogether a robust one."

He paused in meditation. "It is arduous, sometimes;--to-day I have
talked to the men at eight camps and I have visited fourteen families
at different points on my journey. But, if I were to stop, who would
look after my beloved people in the ranches all up the coast; who would
care for my easily-led, simple-hearted brethren in the logging camps,
every one of whom knows me, confides in me and looks forward to my
coming; not one of whom but would part with his coat for me, not one
who would harm a hair of my head. I shall not stop, Mr. Bremner,--I
have no desire to stop, not till God calls me.

"I see you have been making changes even in your short time here," he
said, pointing to the store.

"Yes! I think Jake and I did fairly well yesterday," I answered, not a
little proudly.

"Splendidly, my boy! And, do you know,--your coming here means a great
deal. It is the commencement of a new departure, for your store is
going to prove a great boon to the settlers. They have been talking
about it and looking forward to it ever since it was first mooted.

"But it will not be altogether smooth sailing for you, for you must
keep a close rein on your credit."

It struck me, as he spoke, that he was the very man I was desirous of
meeting regarding what I considered would prove my stumbling block.

"Can you spare me half an hour, sir, and have tea with me?" I asked.

"Yes! gladly, for my day's servi