Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1868-03-18
so strangely. / do believe it's petro

as requested.
.You don't say so, Widder!" he ex-
claimed 'when did you notice it
| fust ?h
Il didn't really notice it much till
to-day" said Mrs. Brown. at might
have tasted little queer maybe, but
to-day us very strong"
''Let me taste" said the Squire. Il
can tell if it's that, or something else.
1t may be some dead critter that 5
got drowned in the we'll and poisoned
the water
"Oh, | hope not" said the widow
in tone of alarm. Il wouldn't have
my we'll spilled for great deal.
Except by petroleum. suggested
the Squire. | s'pose you'd be recon
ciled to that.
BY this time they reached the well
and the Squire had already commenc-
ed lowering the bucket.
The widow was quite confident of
the result, the oil having been 80 re-
Gently poured in. Still she felt a
momentary alarm lest it had become
Sc dlffused that the portion of water
drawn off would show scant traces of
admixture. But when the bucket
came again to the top, she was re-as-
sured. On the surface of the water
was coating of oil. That was clear
enough.
The Squire looked at it eagerly.
His recent experiments qualified
him to Judge in the matter. He was
silent moment.
Well. Squire Pogram, what do
you think 2" asked Mrs. Brown, ca
gerly.
Il do believe you're right, widder," :"
said the Squire. I'm inclined to
the opinion that its genuine petrole-
UNI
" You don't say so, Squirrel Well,
I'm in luck for once, any way"
| amt certain. Suppose YOU
give me a dipper, and III taet~ e-'t =
The Upper was brought, and Squire
Pogram did taste. The taste pro
duced some contortions Of the face +;
for petroleum oil as a beverage can
scarcely be regarded as pleasant, even
when largely diluted with fresh well
water.
Well, Squire 2"
Mrs. Brown, there amt a doubt
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 amt
another petroleum well in town
No; that is, none has appeared
yet, though | have reason t. think
some may be found on my farm"
Its so unexpected, Squire. said
the widow, meditatively. 4 real
" don't know what to do about it
What would you advise? You've
always been friend, and 1 can de-
pend OH your advice"
Well, . said the Squire, clearing
his throat and speaking in cautious
tone, . ! think Ia sell the farm"
- Sell the farm !" calculated the
widow.
" Yes" continued her adviser,
more confidently. :" Being lone wo-
man, YOU can't sink wells and work
| the petroleum yourself,
But, Squire Pogram, I'd ought to
get the benefit of it.
:" Certainly; the farm is worth
more than it was I shouldn't mind given
two, well, three thousand dollars fol
it, and that is more'n three times
what it would have fethched before
&" | don't hardly think I want tc
sell it for that, Squire. l get my
livin' off it"
Yes Wilder, but consider what
would be the interest Of three thou
sand dollars invested in Government
bonds-seven-thirties, for instance
Why, it would be more II two hundred
dollars a year"
Eyes, Squire, but that would
hardly support me"
I'll tell you what, widder, II
give you three thousand dollars, an,
YOU shall live In the house, rent free
as long as YOU choose. Come, that
savin' fair, isn't it
/" On the whole. Squire" said tht
! willy widow, - | don't think I'll decid,
lust vet. Seems to me the farm
ought to bring more'n three thouson,
dollars. I'm obliged to you for you
friendly offer, but | guess I'd bette
take time 20 consider, and perhap
consult some other friends"
Wilder" said Squire Pogram
feeling that the rich prize was in dan
ger of slipping from his grasp, 'Tll tel
you what; know its foolish, but, a
you're an old friend, l Will sa
, four thousand dollars. 1t may be m
loss, but it'll be your gain.
I'm sure you're very kind, SOUR
! Pogram. and l hope I'm properl
, grateful for your kind interest, but
: hope YOU won't be offended If | don
: decide just yet. think I'd bette
: go and see Lawyer Norcross." :"
Don't 60 and see him, whateve
70 do" said Squire Pogram, hastily
. FOR he feared the lawyer would owe
I hid him. :, Promise TO consider m
2 offer till afternoon. and until then nC
+ to tell living soul about what yo
found in the well"
Very well, Squire, I'll agree I
that. 'Tisn't long TO wait till then
III call in again at 5, said Il
|, Squire. DO not forget your pror
a ise."