e still considering it. The Provincial
Legislature talked--and has done nothing. The Dominion Government has
talked a lot, but nothing more than temporary measures has come out of
it. Nothing practical. You can't feed men with promises of after-the-war
reconstruction.

"All this was apparent to me. So I talked it over with Sophie and one or
two other men who wanted to do something, and we talked to returned
soldiers. We couldn't do what it's the business of the country to
do--and may perhaps do when the red tape is finally untangled. But we
could do something, with a little brains and money and initiative. So we
went at it.

"I formed a joint stock company. We secured all the timber limits in
this valley. We got together a little group for a start. They were
returned men, some physically handicapped, but eager to do something for
themselves. A man with that spirit always makes good if he gets a
chance. We put in machinery and gear, put up a small sawmill for
ourselves, tore into the logging business, cleared land, built houses.
You see we are quite a community. And we are a self-supporting
community. Some of these men own stock in the company. Any returned men
can find a place for himself here. There is room and work and security
and ultimate independence here for any man willing to cooperate for the
common welfare. This valley runs for miles. As fast as the land is
logged off it is open for soldier entry. There is room here for five
hundred families. So you see there is a lot of scope.

"It was in the nature of an experiment. There were people who sneered.
And it is working out well. There is not the slightest taint of charity
in it. If I used a lot of money that may be a long time coming back to
me that is my own business. Everybody here pays his own way. All these
men needed was backing and direction."

Carr looked away across the clearing. His glance swept the houses, and
fields, and the distant woods where the logging crews labored.

"And there are valleys and valleys," he said thoughtfully; "when they
are cleared and cultivated there is endless room in them for people who
want elbow-room, who want to live without riding on the other fellow's
back.

"Better get in with us, Wes," he said abruptly. "I'm getting old. It
won't be long before I have to quit. This thing will need a pilot for a
long time yet. Men will always have to have a leader. You can do good
here. Big oaks, you know, from little acorns. I mean