News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-09-10

dow, and strolled toward the rear of the
train, which was about starting. When
at length he got off at the junction with
the southern branch, a fiutter of white
at the window of the Pullman told him
that he was not forgotten or unobserved.
The tract of land which had come
into his uncle's possession through the
unfortunate mortgage he found without
difficulty, and after half DAVIS examin-
alton he concluded that its value had
been stated with tolerable accuracy. It
showed stubborn soil in the open, al
ternating with sparse woodland, and on
one eminence the foundation and cellar
of an intened mansion house. grown
over with weeds and brush and known
in the region as Fosters Folly.
This was on the leased portion of the
estate; and as Mark rode his horse slow
ly around the base of the hill, wonder
ing what in the name of agriculture or
land speculation could have induced any
one to hire piece Of his improbable
country, he became CONSCIOUS of sound
as of regular gasping or painting. Con-
tinuing his course, there mingled with
the noise of creak and a thud alterna-
ting; and on finally rounding the hill he
saw, rising before him, just at the foot
of the declivity, one of those skeleton
towers with which certain districts in
Pennsylvania are so thickly planted, but
which seemed an exotic in this resion
1t was an oil derrick, ZSn whose CEN
tre- the drill was patiently pluuging,
while near by little steam-engine was
painting and wheeling as the working
beam tilted and creaked He had come
upon ''wild catn location, for this wa
far outside the accepted limits of the oil
belt, and no prospector had before
risked his money on the drill in this un-
promising region. 1t was, moreover, an
exceptional incident in the history of
''wild eating" that the operator should
lease his land, or, indeed, pay any atten-
ton to the claims of ownership. Could
it be that at this distance from all known
oil fields, in a section which experts had
condemned as barren by all the tests of
geology, there had been found ''indica-
tions' of sufficient value to warrant
such protection as a formal lease af-
fords.
This startling suggestion took on more
force when Mark observed that the base
of the derrick was inclosed by stout
and tight shed, at whose single entrance
there appeared to welcome his approach
dog of blood-thirsty aspect, who
greeted him vociferously. Whoever the
operator might be, he must certainly
have something more encouraging than
dry sand beneath his drill to require
such unusual precautions against observa-
| ton, as we'll as removal. He appeared
behind the dog in the open doorway as
Mark approached.
''Is this Mr. Peters 9' inquired Mark.
''Thats my name"
81 come from Mr.. Tully, owner of
this property, who has put its manage
ment in my hands," said Mark. 'sMy
name is Tully. You are going for oil.
see. Rather outside the belt, aren't
you2"
''Mebbe it's oil I'm after, and mebbe
it's water"
"How far down are you ~
''Mebbe I'm down to The sand, and
mebbe L amt to the first roetz. You're
too curious, young man. Anything
wrong with the lease g''
session the rest of the year, and can buy
the place within that time at the price
agreed on
'Wen, there amt nothing in the
lease, fur's know, about the landlord
entering upon the premises when he may
see fit, and amt fixed up for company
yet. Glad to see you and your friends
some other time. Good day."
"Good day." replied Mark, handing
him card. ''H you want to buy, drop
me line"
Mark had seen and heard enough to
cause him to employ the services of the
one lawyer in the country town near by
as in some sort confidential agent to
maintain a discreet watch upon the
boring operations as Fosters Folly, and
report to him by telegraph if any strike
was made. 1t seemed impossible; but
if it happened, that unluskY mortgage
would become the most valuable of his
uncle's possessions.
He arrived home in due course of time
and railroading, with the determination
to push his scheme to test as quickly
as circumstances offered opportunity.
And opportunity came treading swiftly
on the heels of circumstance; for on 60
ing to his office on the morning follow
ing his arrival, he found among the ac-
cumulated mail not only Fanny's tender
little letter announcing her sudden de-
parture, which he had missed the week
before, but Pittsburgh paper with a
marked notice of the death of Andrew
jackson Scrimson, and another letter
from Fanny telling that they would
leave Immediately after the funeral, and
reach the city the very day on which
Mark was now reading the announce
ment.
Mark lost no more time in reporting
at his uncles residence than was neces-
sary for short interview with Collins,
the confidential clerk and bookkeeper of
the late firm, the purport of which was
also confidential.
81 have news for you, uncle" was his
Introductory remark, somewhat in utter
ance.
81 hope it's good news, my boy"
'sYou will probably think SO, sir, ;" re-
sponded Mark 81 have received this
paper fr, m Pittsburgh" And he handed
it to his uncle, indicating the spot
where to read.
'sORIMSON.-In this city, 10th inst, sud-
denly, Andrew Jackson aarimson, aged fifty
seven years"
"What-what's this2" exclaimed Mr..
Tully, flushing deep red, and then
paling SO quickly that his nephew step
ped hastily forward to catch HIM as he
sank into chair. SIS this true, Mark
How did it happen2 Great heavensl To
think of his going off in that wayp
81 ran across him on the Pennsylvania
Central last week, )" replied Mark ''He
was on his way to Pittsburgh, and |
thought he wasn't looking as we'll as
usual. I can't believe now that he is
: dead" he continued, with heartless hy-
pocrisy, "but when l got this news, ]
brought it straight to you, as l knew
you had considerable interest in the
fact"
"Dead-dead-" Mr.. Tully spoke as
: if to himself. Then to Mark: 'TYou
might have broken it to me more gently,
my boy"
81 understand you were anxious to
realize on your policy"
"What do you take me for9" cried
Mr.. Tully, an angry red displacing the
pallor of his face.
''And that perhaps you would like tc
secure the proofs of death without un
| necessary delay" continued the Young
l man, mercilessly.
1 'EMay God forgive me p calculated the
g elder. ''It is too late to ask it of m
, old friend. But if his spirit can take
g note of things of the earth it has left, he
, will some time know that never in my
heart did l wish him i'll. Mark, ht
continued, after pause in which he
I