Hartford labor., 1894-10-20
A DUCK GEYSER.
An Extraordinary Experience fin the
 Arid Belt.

felt interested in chickens, l wish l had some"
 "Yes." observed Robinson, "it would not be bad idea for you to keep few god fowls in you room. They could roost on the foot of your bed, and you could make nests for the hens in your last years hats, and coop your chicks In the grate, and"
 1T believe, Robinson, that you are be- coming almost as facetious as Jones' You should be careful that the attack does not run into low form or lm- probable adventures. What want to do is to go out into the country ana raise chickens"
 "Why not ducks?" inquired Jones, in a serious and interested tone.
 well, they might be all right l could get place where there was plenty of water and raise ducks"
 "Yes, ducks need water; but have a theory that it Is best to go where there is no water naturally, get 1t in some way, and then raise them there.
 "WhyT'
 "More demand for them where they are scarce, and therefore a better price," answered Jones. GO out to the arid region, Jackson, to start your duck ranch"
 well, there may be something in that" replied Jackson, much interest ed What place would you recon mendP'
 q tried Dakota" said Jones, softly.
 "Oh, you've tried 1t, have your re turned Jackson. suspicfously, begin ming to catch the drift of the others remarks.
 Certainly, Jackson I was just go- ing to tell you about it."
 Every self-sacrificing of you, I am sure. No doubt you utilized their voice and set up a thousand-quack- power motor, or"
 "Now, hold on, my young friend; this Is not a debate in the senate, but a serious discussion of weighty agri- cultural problems. If you will listen, you may learn much. When I decided several years ago to engage in duck culture, went out to Dakota. l first called on the governor. Governor, l said, for what is there the greatest de- mand in your territory? English capi- start a ranch to raise that sort of stock if I could answered; Sbut you see how impossible 1t is. For what prach- cal product is there the heaviest de- mandY Ducks replied the governor; there is not duck In the territory But they require water,,' I said. Tr- rigate 'em,' returned the executive.
 '.But," interposed Jackson Peters, couldn't the settlers raise them along the rivers?n
 ''So hinted to the governor There's the Jim river I. said to him; there's a place for ducks to swim Not deep enough answered the governor. Well the Missouri, them Too thick The upshot of it was that went down into Brule County, bought some land, sent to Illinois for five hundred prime live ducks, and began boring an arte- sim we'll.
 like a thousand feet, and still no sign of water, I became anxious, and spent much of my time about the mouth of it. The ducks were also becoming i'm patient, ard would cluster about the hole, six inches in diameter, peer down it, and quack in thirsty voice which touched me deeply. One day while my workmen were sharpening their drill, I was leaning over the hole, measuring it's depth with a small cord and weight, when suddenly, with a ter rife explosion and a roar which shook the earth. a stream of water burst out of the hole and shot one hundred feet into the air. Being directly over it, 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 as you will sometimes see small ball tossed up and down by the central jet of a lawn fountain.
 "Gentlemen, I am not ashamed to admit that for moment was fright ened The top of the stream spread to a foot and u half in diameter, and was soft and foamy. It rose and fell somewhat, and I was gently bounced up and down on my face. had seized the duck by the legs while coming up, that he might not be injured, but I now released him and turned over and sat upright. My -workmen and neighbors came rushing up to the well; but though could see them making signs, could hear nothing, owing to the frightfu1 roar of the escaping waters, which was as great as that of Niagara. The duck floundered about at my side and quacked with joy; but I own that l was somewhat disturbed by the: pros pect I dare not jump off, on account of the height. As for sliding down the column, it was impossible to make any headway against the terrific up- ward current. l saw l was in for considerable stay, so decided to make the best of it. signaled my men to send up some dinner, newspaper, and handful of corn for the duck This they did, inclosing all in stoyrt tin can, and soon refreshed myself and began looking over the paper, dind- especial interest in an article on The Advantage of the Artesian We'll on the Farm The duck ate the corn out of my hand and seemed grateful. After finishing the paper, tosssd it off and allowed 1t to hutter to the ground asau spent the rest of the afternoon in slla:- weying the neighborhood, my elevation giving me fine prospect il all diree- lions.
 After supper, which was sent up as dinner had been, began to think about sleeping accommodations. Final ly I signaled my men to send ne up a cot which they did simply by throwing