National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-03-27


won't you just drive into the yard u
minutef The water in my well
tastes so strangely. / do believe
it's petroleum.
'PetrOIeumH The squire picked
up his ears, and made all haste to
do rs requested.
'fou dom say so, wid1er 7 he ex-
claimed; when did yOl notice it
fustr
Il didn't really notice it much till
today said Mrs. Brow. 1T might
have tasted a little queer maybe,
but to day it's very strong
'Let me TASTE said the squire.
Il can tell if it's that, or something
else. 1t may De some dead cruter
that's got drowned in the well and
poisoned the water
%, nope not said the widow in
tone of alarm. x wouldn't have
my well spilled for a good deal.
Except by petroleum., suggested
ihc squire. 4 s'pOse you'd De rec
onciicd to that
Wei, yes owned the widow, Il
wouldn't mind that
By this time they had reached
the well, and the squire had already
commenced lowering the bucket.
The widow was quite confident Of
the reSoit, the OF! having been 50 re-
Gently poured iii. Still she fell Il
mOmcntary ALARM lest it had become
so diliused that the portion Of wa
ter darwin up would show Scai,t
traces Of admiXture. But VIXEN the
bucket came again to the top, she
was re-aSsucd. On the snrtauo Of
the water was q coating Of oil.
That was Gear enongn.
The squire locked at it eagerly.
His recent experiments qualified
him 20 judge i'll the matter. lie
was silent moment.
'Wel, Squire rogram, what DO
YOU think 2 asked Mrs. Brown ca.
gerry.
Il do believe you're right. vidtoT,
said the squire. I'm inclined to
the opinion that it's genuine retro-
leum.'
'You don't say so, squire! Well,
Tin in luck for once in a way
:! amt certain. Suppose you
give me dipper. and III taste ont
Tho Gipper was brought, and
Squire Pogram did taste. The
taste produced some coutortiors Of
the face. for petroleum oil as 4 hev-
eraGc can scarcely he regarded as
pleasant even whon largely diluted
Y h fresh we'll water.
Veil, sgairo?'
AIRS. Brown, there amt doubt
of it. Theirs Il petroleum spring on
your farm, and 1t has broken cut III
your we'll
Land sal;es. squire, who would
have thought it And there amt
another petroleum wei! III town.
NO, that is none has appeared
yet, though | have reason to think
some may DC touad on my farm
Its SO unexpected, squire said
! the widow, mcdiia,ively. Il really
don't know what to do about it.
" hat would YOU advise! You've
always been friend, ard ! can de
pend on Your advice
Wcll,' said the squire, clearing
his throat, and speaking IL eau
tious tone, y think ia sell the farm.
Sell tho talmr calculated III,
widow
'Ies,' continued her adviser, more
confidently. Being a lone woman
YOU can't siul, wells, and work til,
petroleum yoursell.'
But. Squire pogram, Id ought t;
get the benefit Oft.
Certainly, the farm is worth more
than it was. shouldn't mind Civ
in two, we'll, three thousand dollar
for it, and that is morc'n tire,
tines what it would have ieiche,
before
:! don't hardly think ! want t.
sell it for that, squire. get M.
liycn' otfit.'
Yes, widdcr, bu. consider wha
would bc the interest of three ,6ou
) sand dollars invested in gov'mch
honds--seventl ii irties. for .istanc,
Why, it would be more'n two hun
drcd dollars year
|. Yes, squire, but that wouldn
hardly support me-
III icil you what, widder, l.
give you three thousand dollars, an
| yo,. shall live in the house rent fire.
as long as you choose. Come, that
; sayin fair isn't itr
, 'On The whole, squire said tn
willy widow, Il don't think I'll III
. eide Just yet. Scenes to me I'll
farm ought TO bring norc'n tire
thousand dollars. ,'m obliged
you for your friendly offer, but
guess fd better take ,.ime to cOnsi,
!. er, and perhaps consult some 9th,
! friends
,, Widdcv,' said Squire Pogran
|, feeling that the rich prize was
danger OF slipping from his gias,
. III tell We what, know it's FOOLS
= but as Jou'rc an old friend, l won
, mind sayii' four thousand dollar
!. It. may he my loss, but it'll be yo,
a gain.
0 'l'm sure you're very kind, SGuiI
i. POgram. and hope I'm prorcrl
:. grateful foi your kind interest, b,
c ! hope you won't bc offended If
!. don't decide jest yet. ] think /
| better 30 aud see lawyer Norcros,
!, Don't go and SEQ him wbatey,