Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-09-14

Whoh uAopueI llSup, WhlCu ue Nv ohCt
perceived, filled the heavens in the
direction of Swanton, a sleepy old
county seat with population of
about 5000 souls.
Latterly new influence had mani
tested itself in Swanton. The young
people had surrendered themselves to
1t completely, and even their elders,
bred to slow thought and action and
to a distrust of innovations, were
weakening under it. 1 had all hap
pened within few months. One
day a well-dressed, smooth-spoken
stranger had put up at the Swan
House, and had hired horse and
buggy and had driven about the coun-
try asking mysterious questions of
the farmers. Then he disappeared,
but shortly returned with man whom
he introduced as a capitalist. That
sort of parsonage was unfamiliar to
the Swantonians, and they spent
much time in speculating upon his
probable past and possible future.
There was a lurking suspicion that
the presence of the strangers BODIED
no good, which became active when
they were joined by an engineer and
showed disposition to prowl about
other peoples property. But this
being followed by proposals to pur.
chase land at liberal figures, the re-
sentiment died out. 1t was only an
acre here and another there, with an
option on larger tracts, but 5000 an
acre for $50 land was an effective an
tidote to distrust. Tho cupidity of
the farmer was quite as we'll under
stood by the keen city men as his hes
itation and suspicion, and they had
no difficulty in getting what they
wanted.
Natural gas was the ostensible OBJ
ject of their search, and Swanton was
in two minds about the desirability of
discovering such commodity. That
it was not familiar agricultural pro-
duct was to its discredit, but there
were those who were sanguine over
the easy acquisition of fortune and
the establishment of q prosperous
and populous city. The editor of the
Weekly Banner, after talk with the
capitalist, unhesitatingly said that
Swanton's golden opportunity was at
hand.
The madness began to get in its
work when the Buckeye Improvement
and Development Company opened
spacious offices on Jefferson street
and the sound of drills woke the
echoes through the peaceful country
side. Deals were made, openly and
surreptitiously, and enterprises and
rumors of Enterprises quickened the
sluggish blood of even the most con-
servative.
Already gas had been foundi in small
quantities in several wells, but the
excited community would be satisfied
with nothing less than "gusher. "
One was expected in the big we'll on
old man Hartman's place at the edge
Of town. There has been difficulties
from salt water and from the breaking
of machinery. but the experts were
sure that gas would be found in i'm
mense quantities. Indeed, it had
been making considerable commotion
for several days. Squire Dutfield said
he was "mighty glad that he didn't
live near the pesky thing; he didn't
want it on his farm; he preferred q
good crop of wheat"
This light, which seemed to indi.
cate tremendous fire, confirmed his
previous judgment. "Some fool has
dropped light cigar and started the
thing off, " he argued, "an1 ifs spread
to the hull town. l declare eff ]
wasn't so beat out, I'll drive in an
see what's happenin'.
"By gracious, maybe it'll burn the
bank up-rm goin'.
Jake, Jake, hitch up jimmy auick's
ever you can! Pm goin' to town, .
shouted the Squire; and five minutes
later he and his hired man were urg.
ing the unwilling "Jinny" toward
Swanton. The distance was five
miles, but "Jinny" could be counted
upon to cover it in an hour and to get
back in half that time.
The country grew brighter and the
roaring increased as the mare trotted
briskly over the smooth pike. It's
queer" muttered the Squire; "the
fire don't seem to change. We see il
better cause we're gettin' closer, but
it don't get bigger nor act like al
ordinary fire"
Every time the Squire thought o.
his $4,000 he touched Jimmy" witt
the whip.
at don't seem to be spreadin
much; they're keepin' it well toward
Hartman's place." he said, as they got
near town; but Jake couldn't hear him
for the fierce roaring of the flame
The mare was so frightened by the
time they had come within half mile
of the well that her master determined
to put her up and to proceed on foot.
'How far has the fre spread?" he
shouted in the ear of the hostler who
came out to take her.
"No further'n Hartman's we'll, >
screamed the man grinning.
Squire Dufield couldn't believe
that Accnmpanied hu Iota he ,xanI