THE CALL OF THE LAND 



promoter's work and he should not be 

 cursed on account of them. 



Beyond all doubt, though, there are cul- 

 pable and criminal promoters who deserve 

 all the maledictions they get. Only, we 

 ought not to reprobate the whole flock for 

 the misdeeds of a few black sheep. 



An unscrupulous promoter may proceed 

 from the very first on a basis of lies, exploit- 

 ing the gullibility of the ignorant public 

 with all the guilt of a bunco-steerer or any 

 confidence man. His prospectus paints up 

 Sahara to be a flower garden. The mine to 

 be opened is in the same county with a 

 bonanza. Our well is within gunshot of a 

 world-famous gusher. Some "Professor" 

 testifies to a belief that the same strata, only 

 probably far richer, pass under our land. 

 One man near our opening, who began last 

 year as a grubstaker, is now a millionaire. 

 Another has his cabin literally full of ore- 

 sacks awaiting transportation to the smelter; 

 experts think his pile worth at least $500,- 

 ooo. These and ever so many others have 

 got rich quick; why should not you? Stock 



262 



