Summary
Jimmy Wallingford, a young scion of a family suspected of criminal leanings, departs from his inherited home alongside his adopted brother Toad, in pursuit of a fresh start. The narrative unfurls in a remote hamlet where Toad stumbles upon a promising oil prospect on the Curtis estate, the residence of Jimmy’s new love, Mary. Their hopeful venture collapses, prompting J. Rufus Wallingford to masquerade as an East Indian and promise prosperity to the villagers. He, together with his associate Blackie Daw, acquires a parcel from Henry Beegoode, extracts oil from tank cars, and markets shares of their operation. Beegoode denies any sale and asserts no deed exists. Amid a perilous oil blaze that nearly claims Jimmy and his companions, J. Rufus confesses that the well was a ruse to expose Beegoode’s fraud, having repeatedly sold the same property. After securing a legitimate bill of sale, Jimmy finally strikes oil on the land, sealing the story’s resolution.
Synopsis
Jimmy Wallingford leaves home with his adopted brother, "Toad," after his parents, J. Rufus and Fannie Wallingford, become convinced that he has inherited their criminal tendencies. In a distant village, Toad finds evidence of an oil well on the Curtis farm, the home of Jimmy's new girl friend, Mary. After their investment proves to be fruitless, J. Rufus arrives in town disguised as an East Indian and makes promises of great prosperity to the villagers. He and his accomplice, Blackie Daw, purchase a plot of land from Henry Beegoode, "strike" oil (pumped from tank cars), and sell stock in their enterprise. However, Henry denies having sold the land to J. Rufus, and claims that there is no bill of sale. During an oil fire that nearly traps Jimmy and his friends, the elder Wallingford admits that the well is a ploy to expose Henry, a swindler who has sold the same property several times over. J. Rufus obtains an authentic bill of sale, after which Jimmy strikes oil on the land.
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