The Auction Sale of Run-Down Ranch

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Bill Herrick, owner of "Run Down" ranch, finds the land is worthless and arranges to sell it at public auction. Tom Hickey, the foreman, and Vicky, the rancher's daughter, who is Tom's sweetheart, assist. Isaac Goldplate prospects on the land for oil. A demijohn of oil has been broken, and Isaac Goldplate, arriving on the day of the ranch sale, spies the oil scattered on the ground and is convinced that oil is oozing from the earth. He offers $5,000 for the property. His offer is accepted, but Goldplate soon discovers that he has been duped out of $5,000. He starts for town to stop payment on the check, but is stopped by Tom Hickey, who gets the check cashed and returns with the money. Herrick gives Tom and Vicky a thousand dollars each with which to start housekeeping.