Burned Bridges

"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, if this project

continues to achieve success, it might blaze the way for a national

undertaking. We said that a country that was worth living in was worth

fighting for. We are liars and cheats if we do not make it so for those

who did our fighting."

"I wouldn't mind taking a hand in this game," Thompson said. "But the

war is still on. If that were over--well, yes, Toba Valley looks good to

me."

"You aren't out of it for good, then?"

Thompson shook his head.

Carr put his hand on Thompson's shoulder. "Ah, well," he said. "It won't

be long now. You'll be back. You can put on an aërial mail service for

us, as your first undertaking."

He chuckled, and they left their log and strolled back toward the house.