“I understand that this anecdote was told the other night at one of the popular lodges under the head of ‘good of the order’,” and the old lady proceeded to look still further into her portmanteau for other items of interest.
“Tell me,” I asked, “what is the force and energy used in producing electricity? They must have found more power for there is so much of it used.”
“Oh, yes,” responded the old lady, “If you remember, there was a movement on foot away back in 1905 to harness the ocean’s waves, but it was determined to be unfeasible. Later on, it was demonstrated that the project was a simple one and now the highway to the ocean is lined with poles carrying power developed by the ocean waves which gives an endless and inexhaustible supply and which is cheap and always reliable. This means of securing power is utilized the entire length of the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and on all the Great Lakes, Chicago being the first city to try the experiment from the waters of Lake Michigan.
“This discovery has had the good effect of making it possible to properly conserve the nation’s water supply and has created a new industry. Irrigation by means of huge air tanks filled with water and allowed to rain upon parched spots is the present method of irrigating and it works wondrously well.”
[Chapter VI.]
The little old lady began to chuckle to herself and explained the occasion for her hilarity. She was reminded of some more stories which she would relate after she read me a few more of the signs that could be seen on Morrison Street in A. D. 1999.
“There is Jaeger Brothers, jewelers, G. Heitkemper, in the same business. Buffum & Pendleton’s kin are located on Morrison Street and are conducting a general hat and clothing store.
“The name Honeyman is quite in evidence in various parts of the city whose antecedents are old Portland stock.
“The name Gill is seen in three different parts of the city, and all are engaged in the book and stationery business.