districts of the West, to be at all disconcerted at almost any
misadventure.

He inquired for Mr. Macfarren, and found him in Simmons' store,
redolent of bad tobacco and worse whiskey, but quite master of his
mental and physical powers. The Superintendent had business with Mr.
Macfarren, and proceeded forthwith to transact it.

After his first salutation he began, "When I saw you last, Mr.
Macfarren, you professed yourself keenly desirous of having services
established by our church here."

"Yes."

"Why this sudden change, represented by your letter to the Committee,
and the petition, which I judge was promoted by yourself? I placed a
man here, with every expectation of success. How can you explain this
change in you and in the people you represent?"

The Superintendent's bodily presence was anything but weak, and men who
could oppose him when at a distance, when confronted with him found it
difficult to support their opposition. Macfarren found it so. He began
in an apologetic manner, "Well, Doctor, circumstances have changed.
Times have been none too good. In fact, we are suffering from financial
stringency at present."

"Mr. Macfarren, be specific as to your reasons. Your letter and your
petition were instrumental in persuading the Committee to a complete
change of policy. This should not be without the very best of reasons."

"Well, as I was saying," answered Macfarren, "finances were--"

"Tut! tut! Mr. Macfarren. You do not all become poor in six months.
Your cattle are still here. Your horses have suffered from no plague."

"Well," said Mr. Macfarren, "the people have become alienated."

"Alienated? From the church?"

"Well, yes. They seem to be satisfied with--to prefer, indeed, the
Anglican services."

"Mr. Macfarren, do you mean to tell me that the Presbyterians of this
country prefer any church to their own? I fear they are a different
breed from those I have known, and unworthy to represent the church of
their fathers."

"Well, the truth is, Doctor," said Macfarren, considerably nettled at
the Superintendent's manner, "the people consider that they were not
well treated in the supply you sent them."

"Ah! Now we have it. Well, let us be specific again. Is Mr. Macgregor
not a good preacher?"

"No, he is not. He is not such a preacher as many of us have been
accustomed to."

"By the way, Mr. Macfarren, what do your people pay toward this man's
salary? Five hundred? Three hundred? We only as