sturdy, but in this day it seems to lie at our very door,
for, in the North, one hundred and fifty miles is merely a stone's
cast. In the spring, fifteen thousand homesteads will be thrown open
for entry, so that presently it will seem that all creation is trekking
this way.

And why not? It requires no fore-vision to know that the land has a
future above anxiety. Up this trail there is a new world to be
possessed, an unequalled empire, in which men may go hither and yon as
they please. It gives my feet a staccato movement to think of it.
Some city folk there are who might fear the trail, but this were
foolish. It is good to ride on a long trail and laugh out loud for
sheer joy. On the trail, the ear of Society is closed and there are
smoked goggles on her eyes.

I have been talking to a stripling from Nova Scotia, who has been here
these four months. When first he came, there were but three girls in
the village; now, there are eighteen. As a result of this increased
immigration, the weekly dance is better attended and is more amicable.

Besides his outfit, this Nova Scotian is taking in a year's provision
to his homestead, and so has been working to secure a sufficiency of
money. He hopes to get a steading that will one day become a town
site. This is the dream of every northern farmer: it is the gold at
the foot of the rainbow. Perhaps, my Boy o' Dreams may find it. Who
can say? Providence keeps a closer eye on farmers than we imagine. As
yet, the boy has not persuaded any girl to accompany him to Grand
Prairie. I would go myself only (I had the reason a minute ago but it
has escaped me); what was it? Oh yes! I remember now, I am already
married. The Land of Cockaigne could not have been situate in the
North, for in that most blessed land every Jack has his Jill and found
no difficulty in keeping her. No! it was never in this latitude.

I went to two hotels before I could find a room. I should have
registered at once instead of loitering at the station. In the first
hotel they could eat me, but to sleep me was out of the question. In
the second, a stout well-looking German--or, as I prefer to call him, a
coming Canadian--took possession of me, remarking in one breath, but
with an air of great punctilio, "You would in my house put up? Der
conductor-man he so told me you to me might come. This my wife is.
You should become to each other known. She a bed for you will
get--water!--towels!--wh