78 TOM’S EXPERIENCE 
getsomething ahead. But I can’t think of taking 
my little family to such a life as that.’ I tell you, © 
Tom, that man has the right kind of metal in him.” 
“Yes, and we have lots of that kind in Dakota. 
They are heroes in their way.” 
ANOTHER HINT TO CAPITALISTS. 
Capitalists are again respectfully referred to this 
suggestion. There is money in it for them— a much 
larger per cent per annum than any bonds or mort- 
gages will pay them, and just as safe. And a man 
need not be a very large capitalist to do something 
in this line. From $2,000 to $2,500 will be enough 
for an experiment on one quarter-section, and he will 
be surprised at the handsome returns he will realize, 
and the rapidity with which his “ quarter” will grow 
into a beautiful farm, and double and quadruple in 
value. And if he caresfor such things—as I hope 
he does—he can all the time have the consciousness 
that he is helping some worthy family up to an inde- 
pendent position in life. There are as many open- 
ings for this kind of investment as there are deeded 
quarter-sections for sale, and I have often wondered 
that capitalists of both large and small means, as 
they rode over the broad and rich prairies, did not 
see, and make haste to improve, these golden oppor- 
tunities. No actual residence on their part is re- 
quired. If they wish they can continue to reside in 
their homes in the east, while their Dakota farms go 
on increasing in value, and yielding handsome re- 
