The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1875-04-29

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 had struck the oleaginous
fluid, and the despised well became a
flowing fountain of wealth. And, of
course, the company'ss stock went leaping
up to an enormous distance beyond par.
Shas 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 a man went hurrying
by, he asked: "Say, Mister, is it the
Great Petroleum Company that has
struck oil2"
"Why, of course it's petroleum com
pany," replied the man, fastening on.
81 jest knew It'll Hoorray for Gineral
Jackson |" 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 reading
room, and as he did so he heard a gentle
man heal one of the tables say:
"Well, last night I would have sold
my four shares for fifteen cents on the
dollar, but now 1 hardly know what 1
would take for them"
"Have you got shares in the Great
Petroleum? So have l." exclaimed
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
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 a general resem-
blanoe, but just as the stranger was about
to examine them closely some one came
to the door and called him.
"I,can't STOP" he said, gathering up
his papers again hastily and placing
them in his pocket; "there is a carriage
in waiting forme outside. However, my
friend" he added. "you just keep cool
That is my advice"
IL The stranger then walked quickly GU
of the room, and Silas sat still for a mo
ment with his certificates yet on the tabl,
before him. Some n placed a hand Oh
his shoulder. He turned and saw a small
neatly-dressed, keen-eyed man behint
him.
"Pardon me, sir" said the newcomer
"but I heard part of your conversation
with the gentleman who has just gone
1 understood you to say that you owne,
several shares in the well that is sc talke,
about this morning?"
eyes, I've got four shares" reptile,
Silas with complacent promptness.
What will you take for them2"
r"Don't know as I keer about sellin',
answered Silas. ''''''
The stranger picked up the certificate
and looked at them carefully, and ther
apparently satisfied, he said -
81 wilagive you three thousand do
lars easlff0r them" .alf
Silhs shook his head.
-"Fourlny .' .I
, Another shake of the head.
"Fipe!'
i Siias began to a a little, and b
/ stopped to think. @
"Give me six thousand and you ma
have 'em," he said, finally.
1t was the strangers turn now to hes
T tate. He scrutinized the certificates yer
.{0closely, meditated a moment, and the
said:
az will take them"
f The exchange was quickly made, ii
, stranger took the stock-certfcates, an
5Silas placed six new, crisp bank notes j
0 his wallet, and the two then separated
e Elated and excited over his good forum,
t Silas paid his hotel bill. at once, and s.
out for the depot just in time for a HON
s ward train.
And when he reached home what
: sensation his story produced! Ever,
body in the little village talked and wol
G dered, and strangely enough, too, Sill
: was the only one of the "Great Unic
1 Petroleum Oil Company" who realize
t anything on the stock. People wondere
about that, too, and Judge Fay explaine
it by denying the statement of Sill
] altogether. Indeed, In a moment of e
citement, the Judge forgot his usu
caution and gave his easons. He sal
firstly, the "Great Petroleum" had N
struck oil ; secondly, the company hi
not commenced to dig yet; and, third
e the "Great Petroleum" didn't own al
land in Pennsylvania, nor anywhere els
therefore Silas's story must be false. B
then Silas had the money, and how d
t he get it2
Between you and me, gentle reade
10 I have my theory. 1 am inclined
le think when the stranger placed his CT
]. tificates on the table to compare wi
d those of Silas, and then went away
1t suddenly, in his haste he accident
4, made an exchange and took away wi
t, him the "Great Petroleum certificate
ut Silas, of course, was innocent in t
transaction, and sold the genuine artit
to the speculator. Be the case as it ms
la Silas never heard anything more abo
ID the matter; neither, under Maria's Cal
full management, did he thereafter
ID vest in any more oil-stock.-Hearh al
Ii Home.
~
r, Reasons for Going Abroad.