yd, flushed and laughing, lightly replied: "Oh, there won't be any
trouble, I fancy, in getting a man for the Park Church."

"Not in the least, I assure you," said Brown. "Brown Bros., Commission
Merchants, etc., etc., will undertake to supply men in half-dozen lots
willing for a consideration to offer themselves upon the altar of Park
Church."

"There's more than willingness necessary, unfortunately, and besides,
lots of men would be willing to go West," answered Lloyd.

"Yes, and lots of men deucedly unwilling, too, from what your old man
there says, not to speak of the young lady, who apparently must also be
willing. Oh! I say, wasn't that a great yarn; and if ever that chap
gets a look at himself from that particular point of view, that 'll be
the time to buy him."

"Brown, my boy," said The Don solemnly, "your limitations are obvious.
The commercial in you has run to seed."

"That may be, but I can spot a man that knows how to show his goods,
and when that old gentleman set forth the West in those high lights of
his, I tell you what, I almost wished I was a Theologue."

"What a pity you are not," replied The Don thoughtfully, "for
apparently they want strong men." At which the crowd again laughed.

"What's the matter with Shock?" suggested someone; "he's a good strong
man." There was a general laugh.

"You're the man, Shock. You would clear out those saloons."

"Can you ride a broncho, Shock?"

At the good-natured chaff Shock blushed a deeper red than usual. No one
expected much of poor Shock. Indeed, most of his classmates wondered if
he would ever "get a place," and none more than Shock himself.

But Brown, resenting the laugh and its all too evident implication,
replied indignantly: "You bet Shock's the man for the West, or any
place else where solid men are wanted, and where Shock goes there will
be something doing! And," striking an attitude, "the country will be
the better for it! Oh, I am a Canadian!" he continued, smiting his
breast dramatically. "Come along, Shock, we've got an appointment," and
Brown, linking his arm affectionately through that of his big friend,
stuck his cap on the back of his head and marched off whistling "The
Maple Leaf."

"Say!" he cried, as he passed out into the street, "won't a lot of
those fellows volunteer, or will they hunt round for a nice little bunk
in Ontario?"

"Many would like to go if they could," said Shock thoughtfully, "but
you know there are many thi