Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1903-02-19
CHAPTER XII-(Continued.)


what these fellers have to say-to wit
ness the settlement | make with them.
II won't injure your complexion to be
out a little after dark. I'll stay in the
store today; the business shant suf-
fer by your absence. There-thats
reasonable" the young man re-
turned. threw down his things, and re-
signedly seated himself. "Now'-To
the oil man-"make your report; and
cut it short"
We'll" the man began hurriedly, "of
course you've been getting your returns
through the Standard from the wells on
the Worden lease, doc?'
Dr. Barwood nodded, his brows con-
tracted.
And the same with the Gaddus
tract?" the fellow pursued.
"Yes"-With scarcely perceptibe
movement of the compressed lips.
well as near as could find out by
a deal of spying round, doc. the rest of
the company is playing fair with you in
them two fields. Last months output
was in the neighborhood of 5000 bar
rels. Does that correspond with your
checks from the Standard and your re-
port from the company"
DR.. Barwood made swift mental cal
culation, batting his eyelids and biting
his neither lips. Then he replied:
Nearly so. Go on"
81 think they're doing square bust
ness with you, doc -"
Never mind what you think the
doctor cried irritably. Proceed witt
your report
ITO come down to your own work in
the widest district, then, later we was
in here the last time, we went back and
packed off the well and plugged her.
Then | set about taking leases, as you
suggested. I've succeeded in getting ev-
erything within a mile or two Of the
well. didn't have no particular trou-
BILE In getting them, for everybody
though the we'll was greaser-just
that and no more. I've had the leases
all recorded, and here they are-nine
of them"
He took from the pocket of his greasy
coat a packet of folded papers and
placed them In Dr. Barwood's out
stretched hand. The latter united the
knotted cord that bound them. and I'M
folded and infinitely inspected each in
turn. Then having rearranged and re-
tied them, he slapped his thigh with
the bundle and uttered sharp
"Well7"
The spokesman for the oleaginous
trio resumed:
After I'd got all the leases thought
you'd care to have, doc, | moved a cou-
pie of tanks over from the Worden
pace-it took us two days to do 1t, the
roads was cut up so-and set the pumps
to going. l filed the two five-hundred
barrel tanks in nine days. Then we
had to stop, of course. Then got some
extra help. laid a pipe line to connect
with the Standards, and commenced
TO punch down another hole, a quarter
of mile further up the run. People
come round and .laughed-said it was
wildcat territory and we was wastin'
time and money. But"-With a self
satisfied smile-"they was mistaken
badly; fer last evening we drilled in,
and the grease commenced to flow as
soon as we pulled the tools. She's a
better we'll than the other, by all odds.
The words got out; AMI everybody S
crazy. The woods is full of prospectors
already. They're leasing all the land
they can get within three miles of your
strip; and cursing me and you black
and blue, doc, fer stealing a march on
them and getting all the joining land.
That's the shape things is in at the
present time-and | guess that's bout
all I've got to tell"
With q quizzical expression of coun-
tenance. DR.. Barwood turned to Mar
lowe and asked:
How much will you take for your
interest in the new field?"
My INTEREST,"" Ralph returned, great
iy puzzled.
Yes answered the doctor. dryly
bnlF ;Vsfn oct
in the new well and these nine leases
Tapping them with his long white
forefnger.
Il cannot understood you, doctor. y
the young man replied gravely. Il did
not invest cent-had nothing to in
vest -"
True" his benefactor interrupted.
But | invested-or set aside, rather
one thousand dollars. five hundred for
myself and five hundred for you. We've
got a good well. leases on all the adj
Joining land and the thousand dollars
isn't all gone yet. Eth, my friend -
The question TO the oil man.
The latter smilingy shook his head,
and answered.
NO; enough left to put down another
hole, anyhow"
But, doctor, cannot must not
accept your kind -" Ralph blum
dered
DR.. Barwood silenred him with a
frown and a wave OF the hand. and
turning TO the oil man said briskly:
Have you made out an account OF
time and expenditures
Silently the man produced greasy
memorandum book containing folded
paper and handed 1t to the doctor Al
ter carefully inspecting both book and
paper, and comparing the figures In
the one with the figures upon the other,
tho latter said:
Ralph. please bring me my receipt
book from the other room. You will
find 1t in the top drawer of the table
Here is the key"
While the young man was gone upon
his errand, the physician drew forth a
check book and began 10 I'LL out a
check.
I've forgotten your name he said
suddenly. looking up from his writing
y. F. Rose" prompted the oil man.
Ralph returned with the receipt book