Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-06-20
La(y's Luck
BY EDNA DEAN.

fCupyright, l,Ul, W m. II. hlller)
r ACY was the unluckiest man on
Oil Creek in the early sixties. He
l. left his desk resolved to make his
fortune in oil. Others were get
ting rich, why not he? He had an IN
centive The brightest, truest face in
the world rose before his eyes as he
toiled at his well 1t was his own
now His partner grew heartsick after
working six months. He had invested
an equal amount both added their
Drawn They were drilling 1t them
selves. But the tools stuck" More
than n month was lost. Then they
struck "nigger-h head" hard rock
that disheartened them. After that
they struck clay vein that ran in on
them like soap. Weeks were lost again.
Finally the tools stuck the second time.
1t was then Hank Waters, from But
Ter, said to the young townsman:
Here. Lacy. I'm going to quit.
But how am | to manage alone,
Waters"
Il don't know. You'll fool away
your time If you hang on.
II won't give up"
well. I'm done for good"
But IL | get oil?'
Its yours and welcome"
To show that he meant just what he
said Waters made out a release, giving
all his right and title to Lacy in regu-
lar form, Lacy was left TO 1ght it out
alone.
He was made of the stuff heroes are
made of, but Lacy would have laughed
If any one had limited at It. He employ
ed man to assist him, borrowing the
money to pay him ard giving a note to
the lender,
The day when ne was wondering how
much farther he would have to drill to
reach the oil rock, Dick Hartly rode
past Dick was a successful operator
and boatman. He transported his own
oil down the Allegheny in barges. Dick
checked his horse and called Lacy to
MIN.
do you know Archibald's trying TO
get your lease?'
Lacy could not speak for a moment
his surprise was so great.
We'll, he Is. Overheard 1t. When's
your lease expire?'
ION the twentieth
II was one OF the early leases which
stipulated that the land should revert
obtain oil within a given time,
That's bad. Lacy Archibald's Of
fering hundred dollars hand money
for an option OF thirty days. He's got
company He'll make five thousand
afore the pipes drove, All on the
quiet
THAT finishes me, I've borrowed all
! can. In debt now a hundred dollars"
How far are you down." Hartly
fleckcd n twig with his whip carelessly.
lie liked Lacy; everybody liked him.
six hundred and forty-four feet
Thunder" Hartly sat bolt upright.
why, that's farther than Saunders.
and allowing for the difference up the
creek YOU must be in the rock.
At that moment LaCy's assistant
called TO him.
II think we've run agln another mig
ger-nead Mr. Lacy.
Hartly dismounted and followed
Lacy TO the derrick There the slack
cable indicated an obstacle
Like MS not you are on the shell of
the oil rock Bet ten dollars on it,
said ilarty In excitement.
Take in the slack and try awhile, 50
said Lacy In his first glow OF new
found hope Hartly waited until the
assistant screwed the slack up He
waited until the bit was fairly in the
rock; waited until II pierced the rock
and the sand pump brought up yellow
clay again,
You see, said Lacy II don't think
there's many men would hang 10 il the
way I've done, BIT II Archihald's af-
ter St
Tell you what Lacy. I'm making
? pond fresh. With Andrews and
Potts II you II give mo four DAYS III
make II wcrth two hundred dollars TO
you | saw YOU helping Potts the first
POND fresh he was in II YOU do as
well by ne. III be ahead OF the game
II you'll drop this and take hold Then
you'll be able 20 staye Archibald OF.
You've lots OF time-eight DAYS
Lacy was not looking at him He
was staring apparently through the
trees. He saw bright Preside. an old
but sweet faced lady sat sewing. near
her, fitting about hummiug low
tune was another figure. neat trim
alert lithe-a Srl with a sweet face
You don't wunt a hatful OF money
TO see what's in this uow--osly a few
feet further to go Might strike the
rock any minute now
The face Lacy saw there on that
bright sunny day was hopeful. II
smiled confidently, her eyes looked
proudly into his own That was the
look that had held him IN in all his