wealthy mineral water concern known as "The Hillcrest Company,
Limited." But, of course, it was months before the concern was launched
and the wonderfully curative waters of Hillcrest Spring were put upon
the market.

For once the fact was established that the mineral spring was there among
the rocks at the back of the farm, it was only a matter of searching for
it.

The spring was finally located in the very wildest part of the farm--in a
deep thicket, where the cattle, or other animals, never went to drink.
So the spring was thickly overgrown.

"And by cracky! you can't blame a cow for not wanting to drink _that_
stuff," declared Lucas Pritchett when he first tasted the water.

Medicinally, however, it was a valuable discovery. Bottled and put on
sale, it was soon being recommended by men high in the medical world.

"The old doctor knew a thing or two, even if he _did_ live back here on
the lonesomest hill in the State," said Aunt Jane. "No! I won't stay,
children. You've treated me fust-rate; but give me the town. I want life.
I don't see how Mrs. Castle can stand it. I'd vegetate here in a week and
take sech deep root that you couldn't pull me out with a stump-puller.

"Besides, I'm going to have money enough now to live jest like I want to
in town. And I'm going to have one of these automobile cars--yes, sir!
I'll begin to really and truly _live_, I will. You jest watch me."

But in her joy of suddenly acquired wealth she did not forget her
nieces--the girls who had really made her good fortune possible. Both
Lyddy and 'Phemie owned stock in the mineral water company; and then
Aunt Jane assured them that when she died they should own the farm
jointly. She had only sold the spring rights to the company.

The rest of the corporation consisted of Harris Colesworth and his
father, Rufus Castle, his mother, Grandma Castle, Lucas Pritchett
and--last but not least--Mother Harrison. The widow had asked the
privilege of investing in the stock of the company the fifty dollars
that Professor Spink had paid her for her husband's old desk.

And as that stock is becoming more and more valuable as time goes on, it
was not an unwise investment on the widow's part. As for Lucas, it was
by 'Phemie's advice that the young farmer put _his_ money into the stock
of the mineral water concern, instead of into a red-wheeled buggy.

"Wait a while, Lucas," said 'Phemie, "and you'll make money enough to own
a motor car instead of a