The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-06-20
How Sam Struck Oil
BY MAX RICHTER.

evidently much worried, and with hlA
clenched fist threatened dark cloud.
which, though receding, was still
darkening the horizon. The cloud
was an immense swarm of grasshop-
pers, and hundreds of these pests
were still crawling around on the
ground and on the fence rails.
Starbottle was furious and paid no
attention to the colored boys who.
singing and laughing, We're feasting
on grasshoppers, which they had
roasted over large bonfire He did
not look at his fields and orchards,
for he knew exactly how they must
look-not a green leaf or straw LETT
anywhere. He knew that he was
ruined, as was nearly every one else
in that section.
He turned about quickly, threw a
stone at a strange dos which was
chasing his III keys, and then went
into his neighbor Habakuk Jenkins
store.
The owner of the store was alone
when Starbottle entered, and he
wasted no. time in useless preliminar-
les, but poured a generous measure
of whisky i. to tin cup and 3hoved
it across the counter to his customer.
The farmer coolly emptied it and said
in the most matter of fact tone:
4 haven't got cent left in this
world, Hab."
That doesn't cut no ice. Want
another cupful? You might as we'll,
for I will darnsite rather. give it
to you than to my creditors.
Starbottle needed no urging. He
emptied the second cup, wiped off his
mustache and said: Il think l bet
ter get my nags out Of the stable and
go West. I calkerlata there'll soon
be a lot of cheap land and lot Of
more tramps.'
Jenkins smiled.
Il guess I'd do the same thing,
take along all could carry and skip,
but, of course, I can't do it because
of the kid. Sammy, where are you?"
A shrill voice was heard. 1t come
from an empty -four barrel, and
dwarfike, misshapen figure came
crawling out.
Il am right here, and l have heard
every word you've said"
We'll, there was no secrets in it,
grow1ed Jenkins.
NO, but lots of foolishness, cried
the boy. Now, lookee here, pop!
You want money, Starbottle wants
whisky, and I want to learn lot Of
things from books"
"You," laughed Starbottle.
"Yes,>I, and you need not laugh,
for I do want to learn, though l know
! am shaped like a banjo, and l will
get the money, for am the smartest
fellow in the country. Now listen"
With a cat-like bound he jumped
to the counter and began to tell the
two men mis- plans.
Two weeks later any one who
passed nigh: hear Starbottle rail in
the most awe-inspiring manner, but
no one paid much attention, for that
sort of talk had become rather COM
mon in the community since the visit
of the grasshoppers.
He stood, ready to start off, in the
yard, close to his horses, which
seemed in just as bad humor as their
master.
They shifted at the bucket of water
he held to their noses with every sign
of disgust that an equine face can
possibly show. And really when one
lookSS 1T the water in the pail one
could hardly blame them, for the
water was covered with kind of film
which snone in all the colors of the
rainbow and the smell was hardly
more inviting. Starbottle shook his
head, looked at the contents of the
pail, smelled it and finally showed it
to some of the neighbors who had
tie TO use even more profane IAN
guage than usual.
They, too, looked at the peculiar
fluidium, dipped their fingers in it.,
smelled it and looked duly surprised.
Where did you get that stuff?
someone asked.
Where do you suppose? From
my well, of course"
There was a rush for the we'll and
another bucketful was hoisted up,
looking exactly like the first. The
sheriff, who was considered an expert
in everything, turned around and
said:
Friends, I want to tell YOU that
Starbottle has come near making an
. ass of himself by preparing to leave
his farm, for as sure as I am more
chan two feet tall this is OIL"