WINNIPEG TO EDMONTON 127 



He is an ardent disciple of Isaac Walton, and as we 

 had travelled over similar ground it was pleasant to 

 compare notes. He is saturated with the mystery 

 and grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, the full aroma 

 of which pervades his books. His influence in the 

 higher walks of his profession has made him the 

 original of "The Sky Pilot" he has so well 

 portrayed. 



Singularly enough, another leader in the religious 

 life of Winnipeg is the Rev. J. L. Gordon, with whom 

 the novelist is often confused. The former, upon 

 whom I also called, narrated a number of cases of 

 mistaken identity between the minister and the 

 author. The error is by no means uncomplimentary 

 to " Ralph Connor," as his namesake is a strong 

 personality and one of the most popular preachers in 

 Canada, Each has cut deeply in his own line, and 

 both possess a charming grace and simplicity. 



A railway recently constructed by the Canadian 

 Northern runs from Winnipeg to Edmonton, a 

 distance of looo miles. It traverses an undeveloped 

 territory through the provinces of Manitoba, Saskat- 

 chewan and Alberta. With the exception of an 

 occasional farm homestead between the stations, at 

 which the train stops, its course is through virgin 

 soil. 



The advent of the railway gives an enhanced 

 value to the adjoining land. It is the philosopher's 

 stone, which turns base metal into gold, or, better 



