Now all is changed." Ben's attention was aroused.

He began to understand why Mr.Jackson wished to buy the farm he rented from Mrs.Hamilton.
"This is all new to me," he said.

"I suppose oil has been found there ?" "Yes; one old farm, which would have been dear at three thousand dollars, is now yielding hundreds of barrels daily, and would fetch fifty thousand dollars easily." Ben began to be excited.

If he could only sell Mrs.Hamilton's farm for half that he felt that he would be doing an excellent thing.
"I suppose you are interested in some of the petroleum wells ?" he said.
"Not yet, but I hope to be.

In fact, I don't mind confessing that I represent a New York syndicate, and that my object in making this journey is to purchase, if I can, the Jackson farm." "The Jackson farm!" repeated Ben, his breath almost taken away by his surprise.
"Yes; do you know anything about it ?" asked his companion.
"I have heard of a farmer in Centerville named Peter Jackson." "That is the man." "And his farm is one of the lucky ones, then ?" "It promises to be." "I suppose, then, you will have to pay a large sum for it ?" said Ben, trying to speak calmly.
"Jackson is very coy, and, I think, grasping.