The Bessemer indicator., 1894-09-08
A DUCK GEYSER.
A ExtrnordInnry Experience I'm the
Arid Bclt.

Ever since went TO the poultry
show" said Jackson Peters, Il nave
felt Interested In chickens, wish 1
had some
| yes" observed Robinson, ut would
not be bad idea for you to keep Tow
god fowls In you room. They could
roost oil the foot OF your bed. nnd You
could make nests for the hens In your
last years hats, and coop your chicks
in the crate. and
81 believe. Robinson, that you arc be-
coming almost as facetious MS Jones.
You should he careful that the attnck
does not run into low form OF im-
probable adventures. What ! want to
do Is to 60 out into the country and
raise chickens"
| "Why not duclis?' inquired Jones,
in n serious and interested tone.
well. they might be all right.
could get place where there was
plonty Of water and raise ducks
"Yes. ducks need water; but have
n theory that 1t is best to go where
there is no water naturally, get 1t In
some way and then raise them there"
"whyY
More demand for them where they
are scarce, and therefore n better
price," answered Jones. go out to the
nrid region. Jackson, TO start your
duck ranch"
well, there may be something in
that" replied Jackson, much Interest,"
ell. What place would you recon-
mend?"
II tried Dakota" said Jones. softly.
"Oh, you've tried 1t, have your re-
turned Jackson, susplco,isly, Begin
ming to catch the drift Of the others
| remarks.
Certainly, Jackson. was Just 60
Ing to tell you about it,
Very self-sncrificing Of you, I am
| sure. No doubt you utilized their
voice md set up thousand-qunck-
power motor. Or"
Now, hold on, my young friend;
! this is not n debate In the senate, but
serious discussion OF weighty agri-
cultural problems. IL you will listen,
you may learn much. When I decided
several years ago to engage in duck
| culture, went out to Dakota. first
called on the governor. Governor
said. for what IL there the greatest de-
mnnd in your territory? English cnpi-
talists,' he replied. I would gladly
start ranch to raise that sort Of stock
II could answered: but you see
how impossible 1t is For what practi-
cal product is there the heaviest de-
mandT Ducks replied the governor;
there is not II duck In the territory
'But they require water / said. 'Ir-
| rigate EN- returned the executive
| But" interposed Jackson Peters,
couldn't the settlers raise them along
the rivers?'
so limited to the governor. There's
the Jim river said to him: there's
n place for ducks to swim. Not deep
enough answered the governor. We'll
the Missouri. them Too thick The
upshot of 1t was that l went down
into Brule County. bought some land,
sent to Illinois for five hundred prime
live ducks, md began boring an arte-
sian well.
| when my well was down something
like n thousand feet, and still no sign
Of water. l became anxious, and spent
much of my time nl,out the mouth OF
It, The ducks were also becoming I'm
patient. and would cluster about the
hole. six Inches In diameter. peer down
It, and qunck in II thirsty voice which
touched me deeply One day while
my workmen We're sharpening their
drill, was leaning over the hole.
measuring Its depth with small cord
and weight. when suddenly, with ter
rific explosion and roar which shook
the earth. stream OF wnter burst out
l oh nnA hftn "a fra
into the air. Being directly over 1t,
l was of course, carried up, along with
one duck. The first thing realized was
OF being tossed up and down on the
top OF the column Of water, precisely
rs you will sometimes sec small bali
tossed up and down by the central jc,
of n lawn fountain.
"Gentlemen. l nm not ashamed to
admit that for moment l was fright
eped. The top of the stream spre nd
TO foot and II half in diameter, and
was soft and foamy. 1t rose and fell
somewhat. and l wns gently bounced
up and down on my face. l had seized
the duck by the legs while coming up
that he might not be injured, but / now
released lin and turned over and sa,
upright My worknen nnd neiahbor,
came rushing up 10 the well: but
though could sec them making signs
! could hear nothing, owing to tho
frlghtful roar of the escaping waters
which was as great as that of lJiuQara
The duck fioundered about Mt my side
and quacked with joy; but 1 own thai
was somewhat disturbed by the pros
pect. dare not jump of, on account
of the height. As for sliding down In,
column, 1t was impossible to make
any headway against the terrific nm
ward current. I saw 1 was in for 9
considerable stay, so decided to mnkt
the best OF 1t. j signaled my mcr
to send up some dinner, a newspaper
md n handful of corn for the duck
This they did. inclosing all in a stou
Tin can, and soon refreshed myseI,
and bcKnn looking over the paper, find
especial Interest in an article ON sTh,
Advantage Of the ArtesIan Well on tht
Farm. The duck ate the corn out .
my hand and seemed grateful. Afte]
finishing the paper. tossed 1t OF AMI
allowed 1t to 1utter to the ground, ant
spent the rest Of the afternoon in aur
veying the neighborhood, my elevatios
giving me fine prospect In all direc
tons. =
After supper. which WIS sent nj
as diuner had been. began to thin5
pbout slceping ations. Final
II ] Iianelsd my ipsn TO esnd me up |
81 whioh tbY ~ aQpjy ~ threW3n1
N ~ ~ ooNsDn r. V611e r - 1