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SELLERS
Yes, but no one knows what a straight line is until the [surveyors] have gone over it. Now, I had a talk with Jeff Thompson, the division engineer [the other day], he understands the wants of Napoleon. [Jeff says railroads ought to be built for the benefit of the Company. Now how is the Company going to make money out of the railroad? Is it by going to] old towns where the property's owned by [every] Tom, Dick, and Harry? [No! It's by going] to new towns where the Company owns the land.
CLAY
Ah, I understand.
SELLERS
Now we—that is, the Company and myself, own fifteen miles in the heart of Napoleon, at least Napoleon's in the heart of it just now. We're going to widen Columbia River, bring Steam and Rail together, town lots will soar into the thousands. What would you say to see a city rise there as if the rod of Aladdin had touched it, and you owned all the property?
CLAY
It looks great—on paper.
SELLERS
It is one of the most gigantic schemes of this generation! One million spent on Columbia River will make Napoleon worth five million.
CLAY
So the government finds the million, while the Railroad Company owns the town?
SELLERS
[Exactly, my dear boy, exactly. That's what governments are for.] It's only within [the last] few years that we've begun to understand the science of government. Our forefathers never had statesmen like ours.
CLAY
I believe you.
(Rising.)
Well, success to you Colonel, but speculation's not in my line.
SELLERS
Not in you line? Clay, you're one of us. Laura's one of us.] I wouldn't take ten millions if I couldn't share it with my friends.
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