“There is plenty of room here for all the navies of the world,” George observed, looking at the harbor.
“Yes, I believe the bay is forty miles across,” replied Clarence. “For all intents and purposes at present, however, San Diego Bay is as good as this.”
“Yes, I only wish we had commerce enough for ships to be crowded there.”
“If Colonel Scott succeeds in constructing his railroad, there is no doubt that San Diego will be a large city in a few years.”
“I believe that, but the question is, will Colonel Scott succeed?”
“I think he will, but he has a hard crowd to fight.”
Clarence mused a little, then, changing his position so as to face George, said:
“I have had an idea in my head, a sort of project, I want to talk to you about. Of course, its practicability, I fear, will entirely depend upon the building of the Texas Pacific Railroad; for if San Diego is not to have population, my plan will be impracticable. It is this: The two banks in San Diego, I don't think, have a paid-up capital of more than a hundred thousand dollars. I think we could establish a bank of two or three hundred thousand dollars that would be a paying institution. I heard you say that you thought you would like to come to California, so as to be near your family. That gave me the idea of starting a bank. You could be the president and manager, and I would furnish as much of the capital as suited you.”
“Your idea is splendid, nothing could suit me better; but I suppose we will have to see whether we are to have a railroad or not.”
“Yes, that is the sole and unavoidable condition.”