The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-05-15
NOW SAM
STRUCK OIL

de6tls much worried and with his
cIepS6ed fist threatened a 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 ths
gIound and on the fence rails
Starbotfle was furious. He knew
that he was ruined, as was nearly
everyone else in that section. Then
he vert into his reighbor Habakkuk
JERKING store.
The owner Of the store was alone
when S:arbottle entered and said:
Il think I better get my naxs
out of the stable and go west. / cal
kerlate there II soon he lot Of cheap
land anc a lot more Of tramps."
Jenkins smiled.
Il guess Id do the same thing
take along all could carry and skip;
but. Of course, can't do it because
Of the kid. Sammy. where are you?"
A sbriH voice was heard. 1t came
from an empty -four barrel, and .
dwarfiike. Hisshapen figure came
crawling out. --.-
y am right here, and have heard
every word you've said" 4
We'll, there was no secrets in it."
growled Jenkins.
NO, but lots of foolishness." cried
the boy. Now, lookee here, pop!
With a cat-like bound he jumped to
the counter and began to tell the two
men his plans.
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 of, 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 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
il to some of the neighbors who had
come to see what caused Starbottle
to use even more profane language
than usual
They, too, looked at, the peculiar
fiuidium. 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 well and
another bucketful was hoisted up
looking exactly like the rest. The
news spread like wildfire all over the
country and state that oil had been
struck.
1t was not long before spectators
began to show up. The we'll 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 filed, and
Jenkins, who had lot of oil in his
cellar, could not sell it 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 II he sunk
wells on his place he would probably
tap the others well. And after awhile
they were successful jenkins prom
ised to sell his lot for the very rea-
sonable price Of $1,000. Starbottle
held out for more, but at last he sold
his farm, which was not worth cent
more than $1,000, for $4,000.
That night the whole town slept
as soandly as never before in its his
tory and its 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 wen was q
sign in chalk: Sans we'll"
At this time the two missing men
were seated in barroom next to the
Office of the steamship agent 20 miles
below on the river discussing the di.
vision of their sp0ils.
WELL" said Starbottle, I'VE were
to 60 halves and that makes just IN
even 5000 for each Of us.
There is where you are mistaken
said Jenkins Am to get nothing
for the 15o barrels of OIL suppiied!.
But supplied all the water" star.
bottle replied.
The discussion was cut short ~
Sammy.
There goes the second bell,r he
vo,, S,rs<