This is the nucleus, the nucleus," said the Colonel, unrolling his map.

Here is the deepo, the church, the City Hall and so on."

"Ah, I see. How far from here is Columbus River? Does that stream

empty----"

"That, why, that's Goose Run. Thar ain't no Columbus, thout'n it's over

to Hawkeye," interrupted one of the citizens, who had come out to stare

at the strangers. "A railroad come here last summer, but it haint been

here no mo'."

"Yes, sir," the Colonel hastened to explain, "in the old records

Columbus River is called Goose Run. You see how it sweeps round the

town--forty-nine miles to the Missouri; sloop navigation all the way

pretty much, drains this whole country; when it's improved steamboats

will run right up here. It's got to be enlarged, deepened. You see by

the map. Columbus River. This country must have water communication!"

You'll want a considerable appropriation, Col. Sellers.

I should say a million; is that your figure Mr. Brierly."

According to our surveys," said Harry, "a million would do it; a million

spent on the river would make Napoleon worth two millions at least."

215

The Gilded Age