The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 15, No. 90, April, 1865

Miselle is a determined young woman who decides to chase the promise of oil in the remote Pennsylvania springs, venturing out alone at a time when such independence is rare. She confides her plan to Caleb, who offers cautious support while warning of the lawless crowds, treacherous roads, and the harsh weather that await her. With a letter to a contact named Friend Williams and a modest blessing from Caleb, she sets out, driven by a mix of curiosity, ambition, and a touch of daring bravado.

The narrative follows Miselle’s gritty trek from Boston through the chaotic rail hubs of New York, where overcrowded stations, mud‑splattered tracks, and restless travelers paint a vivid picture of post‑war America. As she rides cramped omnibuses and endures the rough edges of nineteenth‑century travel, her keen observations—comparing city manners, savoring chocolate‑creams, and noting the ever‑present police—bring both humor and insight. The early part of her journey captures the tension between the allure of untamed frontiers and the very real obstacles she must navigate.