"But I beg your pardon, sir; am I crowding you?"

"Crowding me? not a bit of it. I trust I shall always have room for
company like you."

"Thank you, sir, thank you. I'm only a wedge"--with a merry laugh--"but
I try to fill every opening the Lord shows me. Excuse me but how far are
you going?"

"I get off at Albany," I replied. He looked at me as if taking my
measure, and, after a moment he said:

"I hope you are not a member of the legislature."

"No, sir," I said, "I'm a Methodist."

"Give me your hand. I am so glad to know you are going in the opposite
direction. A man may go to heaven by way of the legislature, but I would
as soon think of going where I could get cholera in order to secure good
health, as expect to serve God by becoming a member of the legislature.
Ah, here is Albany! Good day, sir; don't forget the wedge. And if you
will, I wish you would remember the watchword--'Hinder nobody--Help
everybody.'"




PRINCE EDWIN AND HIS PAGE.