Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-06-10
Patrick Pagan and the Well.

Patrick Pagan is genuine son,of the
Green Isle, but years ago he emigrated,
and after rambling about for q few months
in the New World, cast his lot amid the
people of the Sunny South. Save his
indelible national characteristics, he be.
came thoroughly and completely identi.
fed with his adopted people. When the
war broke out he was among the first to
don the grey and shoulder his musket.
During four long, bloody years Pat fol.
lowed the CORY standard of the Army of
Northern Virginia. A better or more
faithful soldier was not to be found in its
ranks.
But at length came the surrender, and
covered with wounds and glory, the hum
BILE corporal Fagan.returned to his former
section, and gracefully submitting to
stern necessity, doffed his warlike garb
and ways and resumed his old occupa.
ton.
That occupation, be it known, was
seeking natures beverage beneath the
earth's surface-in other words, digging
wells. Many specimen of Pats pro.
6ciency abounds, and many thirsty
wayfarer ".gasping on. the brink" has,
when imbibing from the cold oaken
bucket" had cause to bless:his handicraft
in his particular calling. These works
are Pats monuments, many of which
will endure when more lofty and orna.
mental, but less useful ones shall be no
more. -.
Not great while ago Pat was EN-.
ployed in village. where he was we'll
known, to dig well, pro bono pu6lico.
The contract was made that he was to be
paid certain sum per foot, and warrant
a free supply of water. At it he went
with will, and his daily progress was
intentiy watched by interested parties.
Early and late he delved away faithfully,
deep down in the earth full of confidence
in the speedy completion of his labors.
He had reached the depth of about
twenty-five feet, and soon expected to
"strike water" Early one morning Pat
repaired to the scene of his labors, and,
horrible to tell, it had caued IN and was
nearly full. He gazed with rueful visage
upon the wreck, and thought of the addi.
tional labor the accident would cause him.
After moments reflection, he looked
earnestly around and saw that no one
was stirring, then quickly divesting him.
self of hat and coat. he carefully hung
them on the windlass and speedily made
tracks for neighboring eminence which
overlooked the village. Here, hiding
amid the underground, he quietly awaited
the progress of events.
AS the morning wore on, the inhabi.
tants began to rouse and stir out. Several
were attracted to the new well, thinking
that as Pats hat and coat were there he
was of course below at work. Soon the
alarm was raised that the well had caveo
and that Pat was in it. "A crowd collect
ed and stood Mortified at the fate of poor
Pat A brief consultation was held, and
soon spades and other implements were
brought, to dig out the remains of the
unfortunate man. To work they went
with q will when one set became wearied
with the unusual labor dozen ready
hands grasped the implements and dug
Justify. Pat quietly looked on from his
retreat on the eminence, while the whole
village stood around the well and watched
with breathless suspense the work &C
bravely on. AS the diggers approached
the bottom, the excitement of the by
ISLANDERS grew intense, and they collected
as near as safety would admit, gazing
fearfully down into the well. With great
care and precaution the dirt was dug
away, and when the bottom was at length
reached, no Pat was to be found. The
crowd, before so anxious, gradually relaxed
into broad grin, which broke forth in
uproarious merriment, when the veritable
Pat walked up with smiling countenance
and addressed the crest.fallen diggers
who now stood weary and soied with
their labors
",Be jabers, gintlemen, and its Patrick
Pagan sure that is much obeeged to yees
for doin' of that nice little job Of wurk p
The effect can be better imagined than
described, as the most active of the young
men skunk off, several low.breathed NUT
terings broke forth that sounded very
much like SOLD.
Through the kindly aid of his fellow.
citizens, Pat soon finished his we'll, and i!
remains among the monuments Of his
genius to this day.-Mobile Register.