pretence, it is no wonder that his father, who was his sole instructor,
reposed in the fine lad the utmost confidence, treating him more like
an equal than a son, over whom he held the authority of both pastor and
parent.

'There was none of the nervous timidity that marked Mrs. Leatrim's
intercourse with her husband in the conduct of her son. His love for
his stern father was without fear, it almost amounted to worship; and
the hope of deserving his esteem was the motive power that influenced
his studies, and gave a colouring to every act of his life.

'The father, on his part, regarded his son as superior being--one whom
the Lord had called from his birth to be His servant.

'There was another person in the house, whom, next to his wife and son,
Doctor Leatrim held in the greatest esteem and veneration, not only on
account of his having saved him, when a boy, from drowning, at the
imminent peril of his own life, but from his having persuaded him, when
a youth, to abandon a career of reckless folly and become a Christian.
Ralph Wilson was an old and faithful servant, who had been born in his
father's house, and had nursed the Doctor when a little child upon his
knees. When his master died, Ralph was confided to the care of his son;
and as he had never married, he had grown grey in the Doctor's service,
and his love for him and his family was the sole aim and object of his
life.

'Everything about the parsonage was entrusted to Ralph's care, and he
was consulted on all business matters of importance. All the money
transactions of the family went through his hands; and, like most old
servants, his sway over the household was despotic. The Doctor gave him