Corporal Cameron

in his life he was a free man, ungoverned and unguided. For four dreary weeks he had waited in Montreal for answers to his enquiries concern

nknown. Which he should choose he knew not, but with a thrill of exultation he thanked his stars the choosing was his own concern. A feeling of adventure was upon him, a new courage was rising in his heart. The failure that had hitherto dogged his past essays in life did not dampen his confidence, for they had been made under other auspices than his own. He had not fitted into his former positions, but they had not been of his own choosing. He would now find a place for himself and if he failed again he was pr

ving its animated length to the strains of bands of music. There were bands on horses and bands on chariots, and at the tail of the procession a fearful and wonderful instrument bearing the euphonious and classic name of

as thronged with sturdy red-faced farm lads, looking hot and uncomfortable in their unaccustomed Sunday suits, gorgeous in their rainbow ties, and rakish with their hats set at all angles upon their elaborately brushed heads. Older men, too, bearded and staid, moved with silent and self-respecting dignity through the crowds, gazing with

which was a tall middle aged man with a good-natured face, adorned with a rugged grey chin whisker, who was loudly

exclaimed his hard-faced friend. "Say, let's liqu

ne of the drinking booths that dotted the circus grounds, and towards the big tent; but the father had been already a too frequent visitor at the booth to be qui

Haley; ye can't

father," p

"The elephants won't run away with the monke

ad, I'm sure th

id the young man, "yer dad's

lied Tim fiercely. "I know wh

e, and then we have got some groceries to git for the old woman. See there," he drew a paper from his pocket, "wouldn't dare show up without 'em, ye bet, eh, Tim! Why, it's her egg and but

most diligent and careful enquiries he could hear of no position on a farm for which he could honestly offer himself. The farmers wanted mowers, or cradlers, or good smart turnip

across Tim. He was standing outside the bar room door, bi

up old chap? Where's your dad, a

oking up somewhat shyly and sullenly into Cameron's

won't let him come. They're jist making 'im full so he can't do

re doing," said Cameron cheerfully, to whom t

Tim. "There's a feller t

ll see about th

d. At the bar, two deep, stood a line of men with glasses in their hands, or waiting to be served. In the farthest corner of the room stood Tim's father, considerably

rowd, a man with a very red face, obvi

ut of here! This i

ut Cameron, turn

me," he added, addressing th

e. He left half an ho

or I see him just across the ro

of yours?" enquire

rds the vociferating Haley, who appeared to be on the point of backing up some of his statements with money, for he was flouri

from his side, and in a very few moments appeared at a side door near Tom Haley's corner. Almo

ack from the crowd and out of the front door, and, hurrying around the house, came upon Sam, the red-faced man, a

dertone, clutching Cameron's arm. "

ron, "I'll get him. They ar

name?" said

mer

!" he cried, "this is my friend, Mr. Cameron! Come on home. I'm going to hitch up.

y," said Sam, giving Tim a shove

n, you leave the boy

siness in this,

end of mine and no one is going to hurt h

"Friend o' Tim's, friend o' mine," he added, gravely shaking C

put it to his lips. The

ving to let the bottle drop upon

cried Haley, with

he situation, exclaimed in a rage, "He

ron apologetically, "but it surely

, approaching Cameron with menace in his eye and attitude

if I were you," said Cam

iend o' Tim's. I'll git another bottle a' right. I've got the stuff right h

l get the bottle for you," said C

ley. "Friend o' Tim

the red-faced man, "buttin' in here! You mak

quick," said Sam

latter could defend himself, struck him a heavy blow. Cameron staggered, fell, and struggled aga

Friend o' Tim's, frie

on Haley. "Quit fooling. Give '

one of Haley's arms helpless. The red-faced man, following up his advantage, ran in to finish, but Haley gripped him by the wrist and, exerting all his strength, gave a mighty heave and threw him heavily against Sam, who was running in upon the other side. At the same time Cameron, who was rapidly recovering, clutched Sam by a leg and brought him heavily to earth. Reaching down, Haley gripped Cameron by the collar and hauled him to his feet just as Sam, who had sprung up, ran to the attack. Steadied by Haley, Cameron braced himself, and, at exactly the right moment, stiffened his left arm with

to his feet, "yeh came in mighty slick that

on, "but there's

he continued, with a humourous twinkle in his eye, and glancing at the man lying o

h water and into its icy de

. "Fill 'er up once more!" he said, wiping off his face with a big re

ched Sam, who meantime had got to a sitting

ucket of water over Sam's head and shoulders. "Fill 'er up again," he said, but Sam h

y fer me a' right, and seeing as yer Tim's friend put it there." He gripped Cameron's hand and shook it heartily. "Here's Tim with the team, and

N

ellin

ameron. "The truth is I'

School teac

sition on

good! Position on a

Cameron. "Do yo

as if trying to grasp the meaning of thi

ns?" enquir

oung man, where d

," replie

don't say, now.

ut a mont

l! Yeh don

and I am surprised to hea

itions. Positions!" ejaculated Haley, who seemed to be fascinated by the word, "there ain't none on my farm except one and I hold th

ill I get my bag, but I ought to t

'll give it to you, and anyway you saved me so

bottom of the wagon rapidly sinking into slum

groceries, Tim?"

em," said Tim, "or

im extracted from his father's pocket the paper on which were listed the g

ed the team out of the yard. The groceries secured with Cameron's help,

n a voice full of foreboding. "An

to your home?"

his road and thre

ho's P

owin', cradlin', and bindin', but he ain't no good at chores. I bet ye

andy?" enqui

s, and Ma she won't ask 'im. She says if he don't do what he sees to be done she'd see 'im far enough before she'd ask 'im." And so Timothy went on with a monologue replete with information, his high thin voice rising clear above the roar and rattle of the lumber wagon as it rumbled and jolted over the rutty gravel road. Those who knew the boy would have been amazed at his loquacity, but something in

eep up to him last year and I believe I could do it this year. Some day s

two-year-old was showing signs of marvellous speed, these and cognate subjects relating to the f

asked Cameron, seeking a po

id Tim shortl

ou go to

n we play ball and shinny som

all the time, Tim? W

im carelessly,

m? What do

place in the plowing and harrowing with the "other" men, that he expected to drive the mower and reaper in haying and harvest, that

and in which he had developed so little power of initiative and such meagre self-dependence, and he

admiration, "you're great. I

t self-disdain, "that ain't nothin'

What do

for some moments,

ds of people, an' trains, an' engines, an' fact

e farm, that thrilled in the boy's voice. So for the next half hour he told Tim tales of his own life, the chief glory of which had been his achievements in the realm of sport,

demanded Tim in a voic

d Cameron

e had!" exclaimed Tim

he eager wish in the boy's heart had stirred a sim

f than to Tim. "I let myself get out of

lieving scorn. "I bet yeh didn't!

while as plowing, harrowing, and running you

en," sa

ble to do a boy's work, and not even that. But I'm going to learn, Tim," added Cameron

etermination they turned in at the gate of the Haley farm, which was to be the scene