The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-05-06

surprise, she agreed with him.
81 don't know what made me do it Ell
ther," she said afterward talking to
neighbor when Silas had gone. 1T i
only throwing good money after th'
bad"
Nevertheless she did so agree, anc
went hard to work to get her husband il
trim for the journey. He, the mean
while, worked steadily to secure money
for the purpose and then, resplendent il
blue brass buttoned swallow tail, dral
trousers, and tall hat, with the certifi
Gates snugly placed inside breast-pock
ct, departed. The exact locality of the
well he did not know He understood
it was somewhere near the city of P
and thitherward he journeyed, feeling
confident that the Great Union Petro
leum Oil Company could easily be found
Silas reached P the next evening anG
found it a lively place, made up chiefly
Of reineries, derricks, oil barrels, ano
speculators; and, like wise man, he
went Immediately to a hotel and ate 6
hearty supper and then went to bed
And on the following morning he wa:
ready for business; and on that morning g
too, came the tide that led him on tc
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 a 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 as money
lost, then it was fortune smiled upon
them. In a moment as it occasionally
happens, they struck the oleag inous
fluid, and the despised we'll 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 Judge said we was jest on the pint
O strikin' somethin'. I'm sure it's our
well!' Then, as man went hurrying G
by, he asked: Say. Mister, is it the
Great Petroleum Company that has
struck oil?'
Why, of course it's petroleum com
pany," replied the man, fastening on.
Il jest knew it Hoorray for Gineral
JacksonW shouted Silas, throwing his
best. hat recklessly 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 read
ing room, and as he did so he heard a
gentleman near one of the tables say:
"Well, last night would have sold my
four shares for fifteen cents on the dol
lar, but now l hardly know what l would
take for them"
Have you got shares in the Great Pc
troleum? So have L. exclaimed Silas,
he were his long lost brother.
Bully, amt it2 Hoorray for"
Don't get excited" interrupted the
stranger, laughing. perhaps you are
mistaken. Let me compare your stock
certificates with mine" AS he spoke he
placed his own certificates on the table,
and Silas did the same with his. The
papers certainly bore general resem-
blance, but just as the stranger was about
to examine them closely some one came
to the door and called him
Il can't stop" he said, gathering up his
papers again hastily and placing them in
his pocket; there is a carriage in wait
ing for me outside However, my
friend" he added, you just keep cool
That is my advice"
The stranger then walked quickly out
Of the room, and Silas sat still for a mo-
nent with his certificates yet on the table
before him. Some one placed hand on
1is shoulder. He turned and saw a
mall, neatly dressed, keen-eyed man be-
lind him
Pardon me, sir" said the newcomer,
but | heard part of your conversation
With the gentleman who has just gone
understood you to say that you owned
everal shares in the well that is so
alked about this morning?'
eyes, I've got four shares" replied ST. !
as with complaeent promptness
What will you take for them?"
Don't know as l keer about sellin'," |
Silas
The stranger picked up the certificates
nd looked at them carefully, and then,
pparently satisfied, he said:
Il will give you three thousand. dollars |
ash for them"
Silas shook his head.
"Fourw
Another shake of the head.
"FiveI
Silas began to waver a little, and he
topped to think
Give me six thousand and you may
ave EN-" he said, finally.
1t was the strangers turn now to hesi-
ate. He scrutinized the certificates very
losely, meditated a moment, and then
aid:
Il will take them"
"The exchange was quickly made, the
tranger took the stock certificates, and
llas placed six new, crisp bank notes in
is wallet, and the two then separated
lated and excited over his good fortune,
ilas paid his hotel bill at once, and set
ut for the depot just in time for home
ard train.
And when he reached home what
ensation his story producedl Every
ody in the little village talked and won
cred, and strangely enough, too, Silas
as the only one of the "Great Union
etroleum Oil Company" who realized
nything on the stock. People wonder
d about that too, and Judge Fay ex-
lained it by denying the statement of
ilas altogether. Indeed, in moment
f excitement, the Judge forgot his usual
lution and gave his reasons He said,
rstly, the Great Petroleum" had not
truck oil; secondly, the company had
OF commenced to dig yet; and, thirdly,
ne Great Petroleum didn't own any land
pennsylvania, nor anywhere else;
therefore, Silas's story must be false
ut then Silas had the money, and how
id he get it?
Between you and me, gentle reader, l
ave my theory. | am inclined to think
hen the stranger placed his certificates
n the table to compare with those of
ilas, and then went away so suddenly,
n his haste he accidentally made an ex-
hange and took away with him the