Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-12

reports from that district only yester-
DAY Why, they have one we'll that's
pumping more than a thousand bar
rels day. No gushers down there,
you know, but when you strike the
real Berea grit you're pretty sure of
a steady flow. And that's what they've
got at Cabin Run. Now do you see %
You think they've struck some
thing on Jim's land?" says I.
It's a cinch," says Belmont. That
test. Perhaps it was some wildcatter
or maybe he sunk hole himself. But
that's why he's up here to buy back
the option. That's your innocent
eyed, supplemented mountaineer for
you! Smooth, eh?"
In couple of minutes he's hard
a. 1t. with somebody he calls Mac at
sure puts up good line
You see, it's like this. Mac" he
goes on. You people hold an option
on the Pendleton farm down Cabin
Run way. You've had it for year
or more: Worthless land. I suppose.
1T before this. No, you wouldn't re-
member. Just something you took a
chance on. But it happens that farm
belongs to native who once did
Iavor Tor me. A supplemented, SEN
timental chap. He's worried for fear
IN ioi Ii VIII De turned INTO an Oil
neid and his old Pappy and Nanny
will be forced to move away. wants
me to buy it back for him. I'm just
chump enough to do it, too. I'm Of
ferIng five hundred. Eth? All right,
look 1t up. I'll hold the wire. Yes,
pendleton farm. That's right, Ave
hundred cash. Eth? It's a go, is it?
Well. I'll ring up a messenger and
send the check right down. So long.
Mac" ~ 'oNe'
And when he comes from the phone
mes wearfn' regular cat-and-canary
grin.
He ought to be tickled, anyway"
says Belmont, for he's going to have
something handed to him right away.
May ! have a sheet Of paper and a
pen. Shorty? I want to draw up a
little agreement"
Course. I had no idea what he was
at until he calls Jim over, shows him
where to sign, and shoves this check
at him.
"But-but see here, Mistub." saws
Jim. gain at the check, this is for
$4,000, amt it,"
Quite correct" says Belmont.
What's hit all fer?" demands Jim.
m taking UP the lease on your
t han tn, that's all" says Belmont. II
nave nave Just bought the option from
tucker. Peabody G Co, and now
nave completed the contract with you.
" course, you will get your eighth
OF All the oil we pump on your land.
Eth, Jim" wv
AS for Long Jim, he lust stands
there gawpin, first at the check and
tnen at Belmont. I didn't know for
minute but what there might be
trouble. for l hear these Kentucky
gents are apt to use gun casual and
ueadly. But Jim seems to be a game
loser.
"Euchered. by hickory" he observes.
Plumb eucheredn'
on. 1 wouldn't call 1t precisely
that, says Belmont You've got q
lot OF real money there. Jim, and more
coming Besides, you'd planned on do.
ing a little euchering yourself, hadn't
Well, maybe All had" says he.
And two minutes later this simple
sou! from Cabin F6unt has started
back for his old home.
ana that" says I to Belmont. "is
what you call good days work,
"oh. it shouldn't be so bad" saws
ne: pattin' the bulge in his waist line.
lou never can tell, though. until
you've actually cleaned up a deal.
wonder II I couldn't do that now.
rerhaps II those Tucker-Peabody peo
pie knew what they had sold thew
might make me an offer that would
De worth while. It's really part Of
I'll try EN- ''iiA
So once more he gets this Mac per-
son on the wire. Yes, Mac fhonrht
ne knew all about the property No
ne hadn't heard OF any new wells he
I'M sunk on it. Wasn't interested
But the Pendleton farm Joins that
tract where you have your biggest
p !.Whpedno Mac" insists Belmont.
Those are across the creeki Sec hara
1nougn, nave you tested out on Pen,
oletons place? Wha-a-a-at? Saw that
again; Mac. Five drills, dry in ali
SANDS! Not-not even a buster. oh
nothing at all. old man. IL was iust
But his jaw is saggin' some as he
hangs up. 'e
Il kind of gather" says l. that
the amt got much use for your lease
on Jim's farma
He mods and gives me a Rlum look
DO you know what, Shortly" saws
he. i've been double crossed by that
lantern 5awed hick Me! Double
Wouldn't that jolt you? saws I
sympathetic. And him such an, in
nocent, simple lookin bird, too, Waik-
in in here from the mountains and
gettin' you to buy something you
couldn't sell! Ought to be a law
against 1T, eh?''