202 THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



effect of his remarks was extremely evanescent, he did at one point 

 excite my curiosity at his apparent insight into the thoughts of others, 

 for although I had said not a word of my business, he evidently knew 

 that I was looking up the subject of reservoirs. At least I inferred as 

 much, because, among his persuasive arguments, he held out the fol- 

 lowing mild and attractive view of the subject of damnation that it 

 did not mean at all eternal punishment or endless suffering, but simply 

 a postponement of happiness which will later return in fuller measure, 

 just as in damming a stream, the waters are held back for a season, 

 only that they may eventually flow forth to greater harvests and more 

 bountiful fruition. This simile, metaphor, or whatever form of paral- 

 lelism it may be best designated by, was too conclusive to admit of any 

 reply and I remained lost in reflection until the welcome light in the 

 railway station at Market Lake burst into view. 



The general result of my long journey was to confirm the favor- 

 able opinion which I have held upon the subject of irrigation since my 

 first acquaintance with the West some .ten years ago. Although I 

 have not entertained the visionary hopes of those who expect to see a 

 garden spot throughout the entire West, and who believe that the time 

 will ever come when there will not be a great American desert, still 

 I have always been of the opinion that the future greatness of that 

 part of our country, no less than of those sections blessed with an 

 abundant rainfall, is bound to rest ultimately upon its agricultural de- 

 velopment. 



