They were fascinated as he talked with truthful eloquence of what the country could become, the vast network of railroads to be built, the limitless fields of wheat and corn to be grown, the mines of the richest mineral continent to be opened, and a trade to be acquired, that would spread all over the world.

They forgot the war while he talked, and their souls were filled and stirred with the romance of peace.
"I leave for Washington tonight," said the contractor, when the dinner was finished.

"My work here is done.

Our next meeting will be in Richmond." All three of the young men took it as prophetic and when John Watson started north they waved him a friendly farewell.

Another long wait followed, while the iron winter, one of the fiercest in the memory of man, still gripped both North and South.