The country boomed right ahead. If nobody had
seen the future of the country, she'd have been twenty year behind. Out
West that means a hell of a lot of value, let me tell you!"
"The timber would have belonged to the Government," Bob reminded him.
"I'm a Forest officer," said California John, "and what's more, I was a
Forest officer for a good many years when there was nothin' to it but
kicks. There can't nobody beat me in wishing a lot of good forest land
was under the Service instead of being due to be cut up by lumbermen.
But I've lived too long not to see the point. You can't get benefits
without paying for 'em. The United States of America was big gainers
because these old fellows had the nerve just to come in and buy. It
ain't so much the lumber they saw and put out where it's needed--though
that's a good deal; and it ain't so much the men they bring into the
country and give work to--though that's a lot, too. _It's the confidence
they inspire_, it's the lead they give. That's what counts. All the rest
of these little operators, and workmen, and storekeepers, and
manufacturers wouldn't have found their way out here in twenty years if
the big fellows hadn't led the way.
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