and place permitted I had succeeded in producing a supply of everything for which I had first created a need； in attracting families of hardworking people into the district； and in implanting a desire to own land in them all。 So by degrees； as they saved a little money； the waste land began to be broken up； spade husbandry and small holdings increased； so did the value of property on the mountain。
〃Those struggling folk who； when I knew them first； used to walk over to Grenoble carrying their few cheeses for sale； now made the journey comfortably in a cart； and took fruit； eggs； chickens and turkeys； and before they were aware of it； everyone was a little richer。 Even those who came off worst had a garden at any rate； and grew early vegetables and fruit。 It became the children's work to watch the cattle in the fields； and at last it was found to be a waste of time to bake bread at home。 Here were signs of prosperity！
〃But if this place was to be a permanent forge of industry； fuel must be constantly added to the fire。 The town had not as yet a renascent industry which could maintain this commercial process； an industry which should make great transactions； a warehouse； and a market necessary。 It is not enough that a country should lose none of the money that forms its capital； you will not increase its prosperity by more or less ingenious devices for causing this amount to circulate； by means of production and consumption； through the greatest possible number of hands。 That is not where your problem lies。 When a country is fully developed and its production keeps pace with its consumption； if private wealth is to increase as well as the wealth of the community at large； there must be exchanges with other communities； which will keep a balance on the right side of the balance…sheet。 This thought has let states with a limited territorial basis like Tyre； Carthage； Venice； Holland； and England； for instance； to secure the carrying trade。 I cast about for some such notion as this to apply to our little world； so as to inaugurate a third commercial epoch。 Our town is so much like any other； that our prosperity was scarcely visible to a passing stranger； it was only for me that it was astonishing。 The folk had come together by degrees； they themselves were a part of the change； and could not judge of its effects as a whole。
〃Seven years had gone by when I met with two strangers； the real benefactors of the place； which perhaps some day they will transform into a large town。 One of them is a Tyrolese； an exceedingly clever fellow； who makes rough shoes for country people's wear； and boots for people of fashion in Grenoble as no one can make them； not even in Paris itself。 He was a poor strolling musician； who； singing and working； had made his way through Italy； one of those busy Germans who fashion the tools of their own work； and make the instrument that they play upon。 When he came to the town he asked if any one wanted a pair of shoes。 They sent him to me； and I gave him an order for two pairs of boots； for which he made his own lasts。 The foreigner's skill surprised me。 He gave accurate and consistent answers to the questions I put； and his face and manner confirmed the good opinion I had formed of him。 I suggested that he should settle in the place； undertaking to assist him in business in every way that I could； in fact； I put a fairly large sum of money at his disposal。 He accepted my offer。 I had my own ideas in this。 The quality of our leather had improved； and why should we not use it ourselves； and before very long make our own shoes at moderate prices？
〃It was the basket…maker's business over again on a larger scale。 Chance had put an exceedingly clever hard…working man in my way； and he must be retained so that a steady and profitable trade might be given to the place。 There is a constant demand for foot…gear； and a very slight difference in price is felt at once by the purchaser。
〃This was my reasoning； sir； and fortunately events have justified it。 At this time we have five tanyards； each of which has its bark…mill。 They take all the hides produced in the department itself； and even draw part of their supply from Provence； and yet the Tyrolese uses more leather than they can produce； and has forty work…people in his employ！
〃I happened on the other man after a fashion no whit less strange； but you might find the story tedious。 He is just an ordinary peasant； who discovered a cheaper way of making the great broad…brimmed hats that are worn in this part of the world。 He sells them in other cantons； and even sends them into Switzerland and Savoy。 So long as the quality and the low prices can be maintained； here are two inexhaustible sources of wealth for the canton； which suggested to my mind the idea of establishing three fairs in the year。 The prefect； amazed at our industrial progress； lent his aid in obtaining the royal ordinance which authorized them； and last year we held our three fairs。 They are known as far as Savoy as the Shoe Fair and the Hat Fair。
〃The head clerk of a notary in Grenoble heard of these changes。 He was poor； but he was a well…educated； hardworking young fellow； and Mlle。 Gravier was engaged to be married to him。 He went to Paris to ask for an authorization to establish himself here as a notary； and his request was granted。 As he had not to pay for his appointment； he could afford to build a house in the market square of the new town； opposite the house of the justice of the peace。 We have a market once a week； and a considerable amount of business is transacted in corn and cattle。
〃Next year a druggist surely ought to come among us； and next we want a clockmaker； a furniture dealer； and a bookseller； and so； by degrees； we shall have all the desirable luxuries of life。 Who knows but that at last we shall have a number of substantial houses； and give ourselves all the airs of a small city？ Education has made such strides that there has never been any opposition made at the council…board when I proposed that we should restore our church and build a parsonage； nor when I brought forward a plan for laying out a fine open space； planted with trees； where the fairs could be held； and a further scheme for a survey of the township； so that its future streets should be wholesome； spacious； and wisely planned。
〃This is how we came to have nineteen hundred hearths in the place of a hundred and thirty…seven； three thousand head of cattle instead of eight hundred； and for a population of seven hundred； no less than two thousand persons are living in the township； or three thousand； if the people down the valley are included。 There are twelve houses belonging to wealthy people in the Commune； there are a hundred well…to…do families； and two hundred more which are thriving。 The rest have their own exertions to look to。 Every one knows how to read and write； and we subscribe to seventeen different newspapers。
〃We have poor people still among usthere are far too many of them； in fact； but we have no beggars； and there is work enough for all。 I have so many patients that my daily round taxes the powers of two horses。 I can go anywhere for five miles round at any hour without fear； for if any one was minded to fire a shot at me； his life would not be worth ten minutes' purchase。 The undemonstrative affection of the people is my sole gain from all these changes； except the radiant 'Good…day； M。 Benassis；' that every one gives me as I pass。 You will understand； of course； that the wealth incidentally acquired through my model farms has only been a means and not an end。〃
〃If every one followed your example in other places； sir； France would be great indeed； and might laugh at the rest of Europe！〃 cried Genestas enthusiastically。
〃But I have kept you out here for half an hour；〃 said Benassis； 〃it is growing dark； let us go in to dinner。〃
The doctor's house； on the side facing the garden； consists of a ground floor and a single story； with a row of five windows in each； dormer windows also project from the tiled mansard…roof。 The green… painted shutters are in startling contrast with the gray tones of the walls。 A vine wanders along the whole side of the house； a pleasant strip of green like a frieze； between the two stories。 A few struggling Bengal roses make shift to live as best they may； half drowned at times by the drippings from the gutterless eaves。
As you enter the large vestibule； the salon lies to your right； it contains four windows； two of which look into the yard； and two into the garden。 Ceiling and wainscot are paneled； and the walls are hung with seventeenth century tapestrypathetic evidence that the room had been the object of the late owner's aspiration； and that he had lavished all that he could spare upon it。 The great roomy armchairs； covered with brocaded damask； the old fashioned； gilded candle…sconces above the chimney…piece； and the window curtains with their heavy tassels； showed that the cure had been a wealthy man。 Benassis had made some additions to this furniture； which was not without a character of its own。 He had placed two smaller tables； decorated with carved wooden garlands； between the windows on opposite sides of the room； and had put a clock； in