The Prospector
Railway, old settlements in British Columbia valleys, formed twenty years ago and forgotten, ranches of the foot-hill cou
had Canadians come to their faith in their Western Empire. Among the great leaders were still found those who poured contempt upon the project of the trans-continental railway, and even those who favoured the scheme based their support upon political rather than upon economic grounds. It was all so far away and all so unreal that men who prided themselves upon being governed by shrewd busine
ings he had seen and heard in that great new land. Descriptions of scenery, statistics, tales humorous and pathetic, patriotic appeal, and prophetic vision came pouring forth in an overwhelming flood from the great man, whose tall, sinewy form swayed and rocked in his passion, and whose Scotch voice burred through hi
lustrous with light. "That man ought to be in Parliament. I shall see that country soon, I hope. What a master
e all of them, but especially Shock, whom he loved, and Lloyd, whom he greatly admired, listened with surprise to The Don's enthusiastic words, for they both had stood beside him in those dark days, and had played toward him the brother's part. The men waited in silence for Lloyd's reply. They kn
ddress. It contained all the elements of a great speech
drummer he'd make! Talk like that is worth 100 a minute to any firm. I'll put my Governor on to him. When that chap opened his sample case he wouldn't talk weather and politics, and then sidle up to business. Not much! He'd give them Brown's
f approval follow
e of calm superiority, "but there is othe
nstance, eh, Lloyd?" su
e centres must be manned-that'
ther voice ironically.
ses, too." Lloyd's tone
ell-shaken up, you know, it's us poor devils who attend the city churches. For my part
le Lloyd, flushed and laughing, lightly replied: "Oh, there won'
rchants, etc., etc., will undertake to supply men in half-dozen lots will
unfortunately, and besides, lots of men wo
e young lady, who apparently must also be willing. Oh! I say, wasn't that a great yarn; and if ever
ly, "your limitations are obvious. T
ds, and when that old gentleman set forth the West in those high
thoughtfully, "for apparently they want str
ggested someone; "he's a good stro
ock. You would clea
ide a bron
one expected much of poor Shock. Indeed, most of his classmates wond
k goes there will be something doing! And," striking an attitude, "the country will be the better for it! Oh, I am a Canadian!" he continued, smiting his breast dramatically. "Come along,
"won't a lot of those fellows volunteer, or will
id Shock thoughtfully, "but you know ther
eh?" asked Brow
rn well? It was great. But
er every appeal. He must think what he is fit for, and,
in Brown impatientl
's anything
nking of what's good for Lloyd. Of course, I do that sort of thing
were at Sh
cordially, "mother wil
own we