Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation

found, and even while George was caring for his horses, of which he was very fond,

y to the sheep-pasture near by to make the acquaintance of the woolly members of the flock, when the sharp ping

n in so peaceful a place, that Ralph leaped two or three feet in his fright, and at the same tim

t have been expecting this attention, and Ralph came very near trembli

een quite as much startled by the report as he had by the proximity of the bullet; therefore, there was

n explanation of this apparently reckless shooting, w

I will put a bullet thr

d to run, he would not have accepted any such cheerful invitation, and,

what I can do," continued the voice, whi

rom what I have already seen of your reckless shooting, I consid

his shoulder he carried a rifle, and in his left hand some partridges and a fox-skin. "That was a nasty shave for you," he continued, in a half-apologetic tone; "but, you see, I

most certain and effectual method?" asked Ralph, having by no means subdued his anger, although it wa

out of that second board in the barn. Just as I pulled the trigger, you came from behind the shed, and then I couldn't call the bullet back. I am sorry that I

eplied Ralph, with a smile, his anger now almost completely gone. "Of course, I know that you didn't intend

t from the trees back there ever since I have be

ed Ralph, the boy started towards the barn, and in another instant he was pointing triumph

ad pine tree, and that even if I did succeed in hitting it, I c

between his friend and the stranger, and in

u live

e weeks longer, I suppose. You are Ralph Gurn

in advance of my coming, he has not been

hile, on the contrary, you are to become one of the particularly bri

sy to see that he did not consider himself of slight consequence in the world. He was a bright, jovial, generous looking boy, with a

Ralph was not disposed to say anything about the profession of

ecided reply. "Is there

hese," he said, as he held up his game. "And as for fishing, you can

ancy I have seen as good almost anyw

y ever

afternoon, suppose you and I see if the fish will bi

ght a very peculiar way, and sai

ant engagement this afternoon, and

ng in the world had it not been for his evident embarrassment when none seemed reasonable. However, the young pleasure-seeker attached no importance to what seemed like s

u've been making the acquai

couldn't hit from the pine tree, and came near putting a bullet t

t he did fire at it," said Ralph, laughing, as he held

ree of alarm at the evidence of

re-arms, Bob. You have already had several narrow escapes, and will end by k

Bob, earnestly. "This is the first time that

killed a lamb? Have you forgotten the untimely death of Mrs. Kenniston

ectures; and, now that I have hit the knot in the barn, I promise not to shoot at anything within half a mile of the place. I'm going do

tables, and when the two friend

hat you have seen of the moonli

I haven't seen an

t successful of them. Bob Hubbard enjoys the rather questionable dis

ng the famous moonlighter his fancy had conjured up, and it is barely possible that he was disappointed at not having seen some

ell to-night, and I guess there will be no difficulty in getting his

ondition of mingled wonder and surprise that in this very peaceful-l

ort time George found it necessary to talk with him. When Harnett came from the stable, he told Ralph that the necessary permission had be

nd a pair of small gray horses, which were so spirited tha

red the words before he was tearing along the rough road at a rate

up his mind to neglect it, for he began to make his arrangements for

ers of the torpedo patent, George made preparations to remain away from Farmer Kenniston's all night, taking

"for, if we were seen, it would be quickly reported in town, and Bob would have the whole posse of Roberts Brothers' force upon him. Now, there would be nothing thought of our going out fishing, wh

ph, gleefully, "but I should not be at all sorry to see just a

ry," said George, grimly; and then, as his horses were ready for the road once more, he added: "Ge

to co