66 TOM’S EXPERIENCE 
day is long, who would delight in such an opportun- 
bol 
ity. They don’t come because they haven't money — 
enough to get here and get started, and they are 
afraid to venture with the limited means they have. 
If they felt that you, or some other man with mon- 
ey was back of them, they wouldn’t hesitate a mo- 
ment. And they would make a good showing when 
they got here. Why, I tell you, Sam, solely as a 
means of doing good it would be better to start a lot © 
of those young couples in that way on these prairies 
than to found an orphan asylum; for if their chil- 
dren should become orphans they would be independ- 
ent of asylums.” 
“But I'm talking business now, Tom, not benevo- 
lence. Of course I want to do.all the good I can, 
and I'd like to do it in this way, provided it is safe 
and reasonably profitable. What can land be bought 
for around here now ?” 
“ There isn’t very much for sale near here, But I 
know of several unimproved quarter-sections that 
can be bought for from eight to twelve dollars an 
acre.” 
“Tf they are good why do their owners want to 
‘sell them?” 
“ For different reasons. A man may have proved 
up on his pre-emption and paid for it, and have no 
money left. Now if he could sell that for a thou- 
‘sand or twelve hundred dollars, and go further west 
and take a homestead or a tree claim, or both, you 
‘see he would have money enough to get a good start. 
