“P. S. When are you comin' into the valley again? If you could arrange to spend a month or two I'll guarantee we will have 'em all in nice shape.
“Yours respeckfully,
“HENRY FINK.”
“I don't think you can count much from the support of a man like that,” said the assembly's Convener; “I don't think he shows any real interest in the work.”
“My dear sir,” said the Superintendent, “don't you know he is the Chairman of our Board of Management, a most regular attendant upon ordinances and contributes most liberally to our support? And while these things in the East wouldn't necessarily indicate a change of heart, they stand for a good deal west of the Great Divide. And, at any rate, in these matters we remember gratefully the word that is written, 'He that is not against us is on our part.'”
“Well, well,” said the Assembly's Convener, “it may be so. It may be so. But what's to be done with Finlayson? And where will you get a successor for him?”
“We can easily place Finlayson. He is a good man and will do excellent work in other fields. But where to get a man for Windermere is the question. Do you know anyone?”
The Assembly's Convener shook his head sadly.
“There appears to be no one in sight,” said the Superintendent. “I have a number of applications here,” picking up a good-sized bundle of neatly folded papers, “but they are hardly the kind to suit conditions at Windermere. Numbers of them feel themselves specially called of God to do mission work in large centres of population. Others are chiefly anxious about the question of support. One man would like to be in touch with a daily train service, as he feels it necessary to keep in touch with the world by means of the daily newspaper. A number are engaged who want to be married. Here's Mr. Brown, too fat. No move in him. Here's McKay—good man, earnest, but not adaptable, like Finlayson; won't do. Here's Garton—fine fellow, would do well, but hardly strong enough. So what are you to do? I have gone over the whole list of available men and I cannot find one suitable for Windermere.”
In this the Assembly's Convener could give him no help. Indeed, from few did the Superintendent receive assistance in the securing of men for his far outposts.