been quite unaware how Clark would state his case, began to
think that the thing had gone far enough, when the penetrating voice
went on.

"Now as to the town itself. I have failed, after a careful survey, to
find any evidence of growth. I have seen no new buildings, nor, under
the conditions which at present exist and which there is nothing you
can do to change, do I see any reason for growth. You do not
manufacture or import anything. You have, so to speak, to live on each
other, so why should any one come here to settle down?"

Although Clark had said several striking things, there had not been
anything which went as straight home as this. All had watched the
great procession which passed up and down the river, and wondered why
the population of St. Marys remained so stationary, but never had the
inescapable truth been thrown so blatantly in their faces as by this
magnetic stranger whose clear voice announced those truths which each
had been secreting in his heart year after year. They began to wonder
why a man of his type should be interested in the town. But the fact
that he was interested clothed him with a still more compelling
attraction. Visions of a decaying and moss covered settlement were
floating through their minds when the voice took on a new note.

"The condition I have touched on is due to lack of three
things,--experience, money and imagination, and in such isolated points
as this there is little opportunity to acquire any of the three. There
is in the rapids unlimited power. It must be developed, and developed
on this side of the river. The age of electricity has come. But let
us ask ourselves what is the use of power unless there is some
practical purpose to which to put it. There is but one answer. Large
works--enormous works must be established at the rapids; works that
will utilize all the power that is developed, and draw their raw
material from the surrounding country. I have an idea that you may
consider the district to the north and west a wilderness, but,
gentlemen, you are mistaken. I firmly believe it to be a veritable
reservoir of wealth."

Here Clark stopped, glanced thoughtfully at Filmer, and poured out a
glass of water, while the entire audience took an imaginary journey
into the bush to the north in an attempt to discover the reservoir of
wealth. This resulted in numerous quiet smiles, each of which died out
with a look at the intense earnestness on the speaker's