Who is Carlier from Short Story Masterpieces and what is their importance?

Carlier is a character in the story, Outpost of Progress. He is employed as the assistant chief of the outpost station in Africa. Tall, thin, and long legged, Carlier is a military man by nature. A former officer of the Calvary, Carlier is used to civilization. He has only accepted a job at the outpost because his family, tired of his laziness, has given him no other option. Carlier is described as is moody, quarrelsome, cruel, angry, and bitter.