Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation

"Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation" by James Otis is a story about a college student who finds himself neck-deep in the risky world of oil speculation during his vacation. Readers meet Ralph Gurney, who joins his friend George Harnett in the bustling oil fields of Pennsylvania, a place buzzing with both legal business and shady "moonlighters." With George as his guide, Ralph hears exciting stories and eventually meets Bob Hubbard, a young man who enjoys shooting and has connections to the moonlighters who illegally extract oil. As Ralph learns about the dangers and moral questions surrounding this hidden world, the scene is set for a suspenseful adventure, and he must face the challenges and opportunities of the wild oil frontier.