Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-07-18

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we'll deliberately poured it down. After
this rather singular proceeding, she looked
carefully up the road until she saw horse
and buggy approaching, which she we'll
knew belonged to Squire Pogram, who al
ways came over the road about that time
to visit small house which he was build
ing for tenants a mile beyond.
The Squire was just abreast of the cot
tage when the widow ran out and hailed
him.
20, Squire Pogram," she said, "won't
you just drive into the yard minute The
water in my well tastes so strangely. do
believe it's petroleum"
Petroleum !" The Squire pricked up his
ears, and made all haste to do as requested
You don't say so, wider I" he exclaim-
ed when did you notice it fust 2"
VI didn't really notice it much till to-
day." said Mrs. Brown. 'It might have
tasted little queer, may be, but to- day it's
very strong"
"Let me TASTE" said the Squire. II can
tell if it's that or something else. 1t may
be some dead critter that's got drowned in
the well and poisoned the water"
80 l hope not" said the widow, in q
tone of alarm. II wouldn't have my well
spoiled for great deal"
Except by petroleum." suggested the
Squire. 81 'spose you'd be reconciled to
that :"
BY this time they reached the well, and
the Squire had already commenced lower
ing the bucket.
The widow was quite confident of the re-
suit, the oil having been SO recently poured
in. Still she felt a momentary alarm lest it
had become So diffused that the portion of
water drawn off would show scant traces of
the admixture. But when the bucket came
again to the top, she was reassured. On
the surface of the water was coating of oil.
That was clear enough.
The Squire looked at it eargerly. His
recent experiments qualified him to
judge in the matter. He was silent mo-
ment.
We'll, Squire Pogram, what do you
think 2 asked Mrs. Brown, eagerly.
Il do believe you're right, widder. I'm
inclined to the opinion that it's genuine
you don't say so, Squire! Well, I'm in
luck once.'
4 aint certain. Suppose you give me the
dipper and I'll taste it,
The dipper was brought, and Squire Po-
gram tasted. The taste produced some con-
tortious of the face, for petroleum oil as a
beverage can scarcely be regarded as plea
SAINT, even when largely diluted with fresh
well water.
We'll, 'Squire2'
Mrs. Brown, there aint dou5t of it,
There's petroleum spring on your farm, and
it has broken out in your well.'
Land sakes, Squire, who would have
thought it. And there ant another petro.
leum well in town.. ~. .-
No; that is, none has appeared yet,
though have reason to think some may be
found on my farm
It's so unexpected, SQUIRE said the wi
dow, Immediately. II really don't know
what to do about it. What would you ad.
wise? You've always been a friend, and
can depend on your advice
We'll, said the Squire, clearing his throat,
and speaking in cautious tone, i think I'd
sell the farm
"Sell the farm = calculated the widow.
Yes continued her adviser, more conf
IDENTIFY. Being lone woman, you can't
sink wells and work the petroleum YOURSELF
But, Squire Pogram, l ought to get the
benefit of it,
"Certainly; the farm is worth moro than
it was. shouldn't mind giving two, well,
three thousand dollars for it. and that is
more than three times what it would have
brought before"
~ don't think hardly want to sell for
that. Squire. get my living off it,"
"Yes, widdcr; but consider what woald
be the interest of three thousand dollars in
vested in government bonds-seven- thirties
for instance. Why, it would be more than
two hundred year"
"Yes, Squire; but that would hardly
support me-" van
three thousand dollars, and you shall live in
the house, rent free, as long as you choose.
Come, that's fair, isn't it 2"
son the whole, Squire, don't think I'll
decide Just yet. Seems to me the farm
ought to bring more'n three thousand dol
lars. I'm obliged to you for your friendly
offer. but guess I'd better take time to
consider, and perhaps consult some other
friends"
"Widder." said Squire Pogram, feeling
that the rich prize was in danger of slip
ping from his grasp, "I'll tell you what, ]
know it's foolish, but ss you are an old
friend, won't mind saying four thousand
dollars. 1t may be my loss, but it'll be your
gain"
"I'm sure you're very kind, Squire Po-
gram, and hope Tn properly grateful for
your kind interest, but hope you won't be
offended if don't decide Just yet. think
I'd better go and see lawyer Norcross."
"Don't go and see him, whatever you
DO" said Squire Pogram, hastily, for he
feared that the lawyer would oyerbid him.
"Promise to consider my offer until this
afternoon, and until then not to tell living
soul about what you have found in the
WELL"
"Very we'll, Squire, I'll agree to that
'Tisn't long to wait till then"
"I'll call in again at three o'clock. Don't
forget your promise" ef
'I won't"
The Squire drove out of the yard, and
the widow, with smile of triumph, looked
after him.
"Pm pretty sure of being Mrs. Pogram, if
I work my cards right" she thought.
Meanwhile the Squire drove away In a
brown study. To think that the prize for
which he had sought should after all have
fallen to the lot of the widow with her ten
poor acres 1t was certainly strange. Now
how should he find his own profit in il I
If no could buy the farm even at five thou
sand dollars, he could readily make il pay
him fifty thousand dollars. The indications
were that the oil spring was rich one. At
any rate, the water he drank smacked