The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1907-08-23

Two weeks later anyone who passed
might hear Starbottle curse in the
most awe-inspiring manner, but no
one paid much attention, for swearing
had become rather common 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
looked at the water in the pail one
could hardly blame them, for the wa
ter was covered with a kind of film,
which shone 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
come tc see what caused Starbottle
to use even more profane language
than usual.
They, too, looked at the peculiar
Guidium, 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
we'll OF course"
There was a rush for the well and
another bucketful was hoisted up,
looking exactly like the rest The
news spread like wildfre all over the
country and state that oil had been
struck.
It was not long before spectators
began to show up. The well contin-
ued to produce OIL showing that there
must be an immense reservoir some
where near it. Everybody advised
Starbottle and Jenkins to sink wells
on their land, but they refused.
Jenkins said he did not believe in
the oil business and Starbottle said
he would do so when his we'll ceased
to yield OIL But yield it did and soon
a number of barrels were filled, and
Jenkins, who had lot of oil in his
cellar, could not sell ii because Star
bottles price was cheaper. OF course,
they began to quarrel, and soon be-
came deadly enemies, much to the
delight of the spectators, who now
told each of them that If he sunk
wells on his place he would probably
tap the others we'll And after awhile
they were successful. jenkins prom
ised to sell his lot for the very rea-
sonable price of $4,000. Starbottle
his farm, which was not worth a cent
more than $1,000, for $4,000.
That night the whole town slept
as soundly as never before in it's his
tory and it's inhabitants consumed as
much liquor in one day, for Jenkins
and Starbottle had been as liberal
with their money as had the specu-
iators.
When they gathered the next day TO
discuss the bright future of the COM
munity as an oil center they were
surprised to find that Jenkins and
Starbottle had both disappeared dur
ing the night and on the we'll was a
sign in chalk: SANS WE'LL
At this time the two missing men
were seated in a barroom next to the
office of the steamship agent 20 miles
below on the river discussing the di-
vision Of their spoils.
We'll" said Starbottle, I'VE were
to go halves and that makes just an
even $4,000 for each of u.s."
There is where you are mistaken"
said Jenkins. Am / to get nothing
for the $50 barrels of oil | supplied ?"
But supplied all the water" Star
bottle replied.
The discussion was cut short by
Sammy
There goes the second bell" he
said; "and if you don't stop your
quarreling you will miss the boat and
will have TO face the present owners
of Sans we'll"
The three rushed aboard the boat.
and while il glided down the river all
the inhabitants Of the new oil city
we're down to Jenkins cellar looking
at tho nine which led from that n1aca