The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-04-23

while facing him was very important
question
What would Maria sayl
Yes, there was the rub And Maria
had great deal to say when she heard
of it, as her words, at the first OF this story,
do in part testify. But her words could
not bring back the money, and with
heavy heart the poor woman placed the
stock certificates in bureau drawer,
hoping against hope that something
might come from them after all.
Vain delusion Days and weeks
passed by, and the "Great Union Pc
troleum Oil Company" paid no dividends
to its acknowledgements least, Silas didn't
receive any. In answer to his questions
the Judge always talked learnedly about
the geological formation, the various
strata to be gone through, and would
describe with great minuteness the ma
chinery used, until his bewildered listener
thought digging oil wells very deep
business. And 80 it was. Altogether
too deep for Silas.
One day in the early autumn Silas
came home with a new idea in his head.
He had been talking with the Judge, and
that great man had told him the com
pany were on the eve of striking ola
story Silas had frequently heard before,
but this time a sudden thought came to
him. He would go to Pennsylvania and
look for himself. He mentioned the
project to Maria, and, to his surprise,
she agreed with him.
81 don't know what made me do it
either" she said afterward, talking TO a
neighbor when Silas had gone. cit is
only throwing good money after the
bad"
Nevertheless she did so agree, and
went hard to work to get her husband in
trim for the journey. He, the mean
while, worked steadily to secure money
for the purpose, and then, Respondent
in blue brass buttoned swallow-tail, drab
trousers and tall hat, with the certificates
snugly placed inside a breast-pocket, de-
parted. The exact locality of the well
he did not know. He understood it was
somewhere near the city of P, and
thitherward he journed, feeling conf
dent that the " Great Union Petroleum
Oil Company" could easily be found.
Silas reached P the next evening
and found it lively place, made up
chiefly of refineries, derricks, barrels
and spectators and, like wise man,
he went Immediately to a hotel and ate a
hearty supper and then went to bed.
And on the following morning he was
ready for business and on that morn
ing, too, came the tide that led him on
to fortune.
When he passed out into the street
after breakfast he found everybody talk
ing about "the great strike" of the pre-
ceding night. 1t seemed that new
company, composed of Eastern men, had
been boring for oil for some time past,
and with no prospect of success. But
just as they were about giving up, and
considering the money invested rs money
lost, then it was fortune smiled upon
them. In a moment, as it occasionally
happens, they had struck the oleaginous
fluid, and the despised well became a
flowing fountain of wealth. And, of
course, the company's stock went leaping
up to an enormous distance beyond par.
Silas heard all this, and his heart and
head at once became light with hopeful
expectation.
Shouldn't wonder a bit if twas our
well, he murmured to himself, "cause
the Jugge said we was jest on the pint
o striking somethin'. I'm sure it's our
well !" Then, as man went hurrying
by, he asked "Say, Mister, is it the
Great Petroleum Company that has
struck oil 2"
why, of course it's petroleum COM
pany," replied the man, fastening on.
81 jest knew it Hoorray for Gineral
Jackson :" shouted Silas, throwing his
best hat rechlessly into the air, much to
the surprise of the bystanders. Then he
hurried back to the hotel, scarcely know
ing whether he stood on his head or
heels. After he reached that place he
didn't know what to do with himself.
He walked around, and then he sat
down; then he got up and walked about
again. Presently he entered the reading
room, and as he did so he heard gentle
man near one of the tables say:
"Well, last night / would have sold
my four shares for fifteen cents on the
dollar, but now L hardly know what 1
would take for them"
Have you got shares in the Great
cIioicuil oO nave Il, eXchllneu
Silas, rushing straight up to the stranger
as if he were his long-lost brother.
" Bully, amt it Hoorray for"
Don't get excited" interrupted the
stranger, laughing. Perhaps you are
Let me compare your stock
certificates with NINE" As he spoke he
placed his own certificates on the table,
and Silas did the same with his. The !
papers certainly bore a general resem-
blance, but just as the stranger WAS about
to examine them closely some one came
to the door and called him.
Ct can't STOP" he said, gathering up
his papers again hastily and placing
them in his pocket; there is a carriage
i'll waiting forme outside. However, my
friend" he added. "you just keep cool.
That is my advice"
The stranger then walked quickly ont
of the room, and Silas sat still for mo-
ment with his certificates yet on the table
before him. Some one placed hand on
his shoulder. He turned and saw a small,