UNDER THE MAPLES 



sure to come to those who go a-gypsying in the 

 South. But discomfort, after all, is what the 

 camper-out is unconsciously seeking. We grow 

 weary of our luxuries and conveniences. We react 

 against our complex civilization, and long to get 

 back for a time to first principles. We cheerfully 

 endure wet, cold, smoke, mosquitoes, black flies, 

 and sleepless nights, just to touch naked reality 

 once more. 



Our two chief characters presented many con- 

 trasts: Mr. Ford is more adaptive, more indiffer- 

 ent to places, than is Mr. Edison. His interest in 

 the stream is in its potential water-power. He 

 races up and down its banks to see its fall, and 

 where power could be developed. He never ceases 

 to lament so much power going to waste, and points 

 out that if the streams were all harnessed, as they 

 could easily be, farm labor everywhere, indoors and 

 out, could be greatly lessened. He dilates upon 

 the benefit that would accrue to every country 

 neighborhood if the water-power that is going to 

 waste in its valley streams were set to work in 

 some useful industry, furnishing employment to 

 the farmers and others in the winter seasons when 

 the farms need comparatively little attention. He 

 is always thinking in terms of the greatest good to 

 the greatest number. He aims to place his inven- 

 tions within reach of the great mass of the people. 

 As with his touring-car, so with his tractor engine, 



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