Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation

e had hoped there would be some excitement attending the shooting of the well, other than that incident to the regular work, and he had every reason to be satisfied; but he

e road were the officers, the chances were that they might su

em, and this thought was far from reassuring. Without any reason, other than to see the sport, he had, perhaps, infringed th

s new acquaintances to a certain extent, it was necessary for him to continue wi

r the well was shot was occasioned by Newcombe's men, who, having discovered t

ing any investigations to learn whether they were correct in their surmises, until,

would be well to find out whet

time," objected Jim, "for, of c

only take a few moments longer, and, since Ralph and I have got mixed up in this thing, I

hly particular; but, since the young engineer was so decided a

ited within the shadow of the trees, while Bob stole cautiously around

essary to remind them very sharply that both he and Ralph, without any interest, other than curiosity in the matter, and after they had been of no slight service, mi

siderably, and when Bob returned, the

en were still on guard in front of the hut, and that, to all appearances, they had not l

mpletion of their work? This was the question that agitated them decidedly, and

Newcombe and his men are still here on guard. Now the most important thing for us to do is to get into the hut as quickly and silently as possib

on, and each one started for the hut, Dick and Jim feeling decided

e it, and in five minutes more the party were inside,

e watched their hut for them, and they might have continued at this amusing occupation during the re

b, gleefully, as he clambered upon the improvised platform, t

nes whose arrival at Mr. Hoxie's lately-opened well was the cause of

Newcombe goes toward them. They all appear to be talking excitedly, and every

made by the carriage could be plainly heard by all as it came toward the house,

o say, "and you know that Bob Hubbard was to do the work. You have allowed the boy t

y told me his team was in the stable. Now, how could he have gotten the glycer

understand that he was very angry with these colleagu

ked the first speaker. "He may have left some o

speaking less decidedly than before, "and I would be wi

, shouting so that every one outside could hear his voice, "and I would advise you

to his visitors; and it is very probable that just

e man, reluctantly; "but Jim

imated conversation about either one of us, try not to start it at night, nor so

are here, where Brother Newcombe has been watching for the last dozen hour

e to speak, and then Mr. Newcombe burst into an uncontrollable fit of triumphant laughter. He knew that it was impos

e moving away from the hut, and Bob once more had

ed out a few moments, "and I guess Newcombe has convinced his frie

will be as to who the other m

erriment in the idea of Newcombe and his fr

e for us to get the horses out by any way other than the front door. What muffs they are not to think how easy it

er proof to assure himself that it was not the boys whom he

we are doing is all fair in the way of business, and nothing as especially against you.

comers that the boys could not have left the hut during the night, and Bob, after having descended from his

orth the money, and passed it up to him on the hay-fork, for he wouldn't open the door to you. Then you sent one of your p

n such a cheery tone that there was no questio

nce more, in order to give full information to h

ng their teams ready, looking around the premises, but without taking mor

peared to find the parties who shot the Hoxie well, perfectly content that we could have had no hand in the business, since it is a certainty in Newcomb

to co