St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1891-07-18
THE ELECTRIC WELL.

LIE EHEClhlC WE'LL
A Story Of Yankee Genius and
English Capital
A number OF eminently solid-lookiup
sons OF Great Britain were assembled
one morning in an Office in Thames
street, London, listening to the remarks
OF tall. heavy man, evidently IN
American.
Il repeat 1t, gentlemen" he was saw
ing, the company which I represent
mas absolute control of the grandest
discovery made in America, that land of
wonders You have heard of the nat.
urai gas which springs up in such un-
limited quantities and with such
enormous power, and you know how
1ar-seeing men secured the right to
utilize this gas before its great CONNER
cial value was properly appreciated by
the massea II you have followed the
careers OF those adventurous spirits You
have learned how they became wealthy
beyond their widest dreams and how
market sprung up for natural gas,
greater than the production of the
. Again, you see all around YOU
I'd uses to which electricity
- s.'I I.:-. -. :" that steam can do as
|. wo.;g. ~ rcx-r .,ec, -icity can accom-
plish. All thss pctroleum eas fu{nishsti
the world for light and fasi cleo
tricity can supply. Who at the
present day dare 9eiEm that elec-
tricity has reachedsits limits Is an
agent for the promotions q mans
physical welfare, or who dare deny
that the day will come when this M
known fluid win form our sole power
to the exclusion Of al other forces?
On the other hand, You realise how
seriously the introduction df electricity
for power and Illumination Is retarded
BY the expensive machinery and still
mors expensive patent rights and roy
alties for which every consumer must
pay. Such being the case, gentlemen,
and bearing in mind the adaptation OF
natural gas to commercial uses. what
saw YOU to the discovery Of what
may call natural electricity, the tap
ping of unlimited and unreasonable
quantities of power, fuel. light, what
YOU please, and the utilization of that
vast force which win cost but q trifle
at the beginning and not . penny for
patent rights or royalties? You may
well look ast0unded, for the idea is
stupendous; bat this, gentlemen, 10 my
mission tonight, 20 effer You clear
title to the only wells Of natural cleo
tricity in the world"
The speaker paused, and immediate
ly his audience, filed with enthusiasts
at the idea, jumped to their feet
'.Wouderful!' Magnificent" they
shouted in chorus. The American
waited until the ebullition OF feeling
had subsided. and then continued:
IL am not here to ask you 70 pur-
chase q pig in . poke. On the other
hand, we request and insist that before
any deal is closed our plant and our
rights be thoroughly Investigated by
q representative chosen by yourselves.
Should this expert decide our discovery
is not rs claimed. we will cheerfully
nav all expenses incurred and release
YOU from any obligation 70 purchase it
II, on the other hand. our property is
as represented, we ask that upon re-
ceipt of information to that effect from
your agent you pay us the sum Of ten
thousand pounds and receive in return
full title and ownership OF the most
valuable discovery in the world"
The speaker took seat. Bedlam
immediately brolse loose, and when or
der was at last restored the temporary
chairman announced that every share
If the American Electric Well Com
pany Cimited) had been subscribed for,
and that until a permanent organization
could be formed Sir William Gull had
consented to oct as chairman, and that,
further. Hon. James Noblin had been
deputed to visit the states and inspect
the property which il was intended to
purchase. After Q caution from the
American to preserve the utmost
secrecy the meeting broke up, each
participaut hurrying homeward. his
brxin filled with golden visions.
Three weeks later Hon James Mob
lin stepped upon the shores OF the
United States, and was Immediately
accosted BY . jolly, rotund gentleman.
who. when satisfied be had addressed
the proper person. introduced himself
as Thomas Tapton, the resident mana
ger of the Penn Natural Electric Com.
pany. Bubbling over with good-fel'
lowship and hospitality. he tuok Hon.
James Noblin in charge, and accom-
panied him to the best hotel In New
York. and for the next two days was
indefatigable in showing bis English
friend the sights Of the metropoliA
..Not . word ahout business yet" he
cautioned the charmed recipient Of his
fayors: 1--WE viii reach that in due sea-
son. Won are the guest Of the Penn
Electric Company now, and We mean
10 show Won . good time" From New
York the pair went 10 BostoQ, Pale
delphia aud Hsshington. seeing ell TIE
local sighta and Ming In regal style.
Thsa followed : ayias Journey e e
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10 II -. / Il i