Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-27
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER XIII
THE Gaune of Wits

NEW strike In one OF the western COun-
II tries had become public and brand
new oil excitement was born overnight.
Trains were crowded, roads were damned with
racing automobiles; in the neighborhood Of
the new we'll ensued scenes to duplicate those
of other pools For the first week or two
there was a frenzy of buying and selling
speculation in all acreage and town lots
The Nelson's, of course, were early on the
ground, for in spite Of the fathers conten-
tion that they could i'll afford, at the moment,
to tie up more money in unproductive proper
ties, the son had argued that they must have
protection" and his arguments had rTe.
vailed
Now, oddly enough, this new oil discovery
did not develop as had been expected~-in
fact the excitement died out quickly-and
when Henry Nelson undertook to dispose of
his holdings he was faced by a heavy loss,
for Gray was offering adjoining acreage at
low prices.
Following this unhappy experience, the
scandal about the Jackson well became public
the Atlantic company having at last located
the leak in its pipe line-and the whole Red
river district enjoyed great laugh.
Miss Packer, of course, was deeply chagrin-
ed at her connection with the fraud; neverthe
less. the banker felt his flesh turn cold at the
narrowness of his escape.
About this time big gasser blew in north
of the Louisiana fields, and wise oil men be-
gan to talk about Arkansas and quietly to
gather in acreage. Less than a week later
one OF Nelson's field men brought into the
bank youth who owned some property in
the latter state. This yoker was sick man;
he was thin and white he had a racking
cough and he knew nothing about oil except
from hearsay. All he knew was that he would
die II he didn't get to a warmer, drier cli-
mate. but the story he told caused Henry
Nelson to stare Queerly at his field man
That very night the latter left town,
On the third night thereafter, in answer to
a telegram, Nelson and the Arkansas farmer
slipped unobtrusively out Of Wichita Falls
1t so happened that Brick Stoner en- route to
Hot Springs for little rest, was a passenger
on the same train.
Stoner returned in due time, much rested
and he brought with him a large check to
the firms account
I'VE timed 1t to the minute" he told Nc
Wade and Mallow. THAT gasser couldn't
have come in better If we'd ordered it, Mel.
sons dickering under cover for more acreage
near what he's got, but I tipped off who he
was"
He fell easy, eh?"
Stoner gr1nned. He was so pleased with
himself at swindling an invalid, and so scared
ne couldn't hardly waits to sign UP. If it
hadn't of been for the general excitement, he
might OF insisted on time to do some explor-
lng' but he's pulled rig off another Job and
Ae's sending it right up"
We've got some good news, too" McWade
asserted. "Avenger Number One ii TRYING
hard to come in
"No?"
Il tell you Gfay's got rabbit foot. If we
continue to trail along with him, I'll be losing
you as a partner, Brick"
How so?"
Why, I'll be turning honest It seems
to pay
Um-m Probably I'd better keep all this
Nelson money and leave you--"
"Oh. not at ALL the junior partner said
quickly. THAT isn't an oil deal, strictly
speaking, for you say there amt oil enough
on the land to grease a jackknife. I look ON
it as real estate speculation"
With laugh Stoner accepted this explana-
t1on, and then announced that he was hum
CRY for his breakfast
This time Mallow spoke up. I'm bally-
nooing for new joint; FuNon's Fancy
Waffle Foundry. Follow me and I'll try to
wedge you in. But you'll have to eat fast
and pick your teeth on the sidewalk, for we
need the room" In answer to Stoner's stare
the speaker explained his interest in the
welfare of Wichita Falls newest eating place.
and en- route thereto he told how Margie Full
ton came to be running it. Gray did it. He
got the Parker girl to help us, and we had
the place all fixed up by the time Margie got
here. She's tickled pink, and it'll coin money
If it isn't pinched."
"Pinched?'
Sure! Bennie's the cashier, and he palms
everything from dimes to dishtowels. Force
of habit! Better count your change till
break him of short-changing the customers.
1t was a blue day for Henry Nelson when
Avcnger Number One came in, for it made
necessary immediate drilling operations on
his part. And the worst of it was the we'll
was not big enough to establish a high value
for his holding. 1t was just enough OF pro.
Queer to force him to begin three offsets, and
that, for the moment, was an undertaking
decidedly inconvenient.
Continued Thursday. Renew your sub.
scriptiOn now so as not to miss an installment
of this thrilling story.