The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-07-13
LOVE IN THE OIL DISTRICT,
STORY OF MINGLED AFFECTION AND NITRO
GLYCERINE.

Pennsylvania has been the scene of
other loves and woes beside those record
ed in Gertrude of Wyoming The
latest tale of affection is thus told by a
Titusvi!le correspondent
''ln Clarion county, near the celebrated
oil producing district known as Parker's
Landing, and not great distance from
where the Clarion river mingles its pellu-
cid waters with the swifter rolling tide of
the Allegheny, has lived for years a man
named Hewitt, who came to this country
IN lis early history, erected a cabin, and
maintained an humble existence by fol-
lowing his profession OF horse shoeing.
Years glided along, and nothing oc-
Cured to vary the monotony of his hum
bic and happy life save an occasional fra
cas- with an unruly horse, or now and
then being confined to his bed for few
weeks from the effects of mule kick on
the Uranium, or dig in the ribs from
the hind foot of rebellious OK for
Hewitt used to pursue his trade in all its
branches, and furnish shoes for every thing
that came along whereby an honest PEN
ny could be made. Meanwhile daugh-
ter was born to him, who grew up in her
mountain home like the pines that sur
rounded his dwelling, and was as grace
ful and beautiful as the wild flowers amid
which she played. Laura, for that is her
name, obtained a fair education at the
district school, aided by her mother, who
was an accomplished graduate from an
Eastern academy, ond her natural beauty
was increased by an occasional visit to
Pittsburgh and Eastern cities, where,
amid higher social scenes than those which
surrounded her birth place, she rapidly
acquired the numerous little graces and
coquetries of fashion which 90 to make
up the ''girl Of the period" 1t is no
wonder, then, that to the old man she
was as the apple of his eye-as a bushel
of apples, in fact, of the old-fashioned,
rosy-cheeked mon such" kind-and that,
as she attained woman's age and stature,
the father looked with jealous eye upon
the native admirers who surrounded her,
and sternly frowned upon the forward
young cultivators of buckwheat, who, by
the slightest action, sought to win her
young hearts affections and transplant
his little flower to another soil and home.
About this time the oil excitement
which for several years previously had
been confined to Oil Creek and its tribu-
taries, opened up in the vicinity of Par>
ker's Landing, an influx Of strangers,
operators and spectators began, and short-
ly after portion of Mr.. Howitts farm
was discovered to be on the belt, and
leased for a round sum to wealthy opera
tors. Though now Comparatively wealthy
Hewitt still followed his original trade,
though with light heart as be thought
of the bank account which would enable
him to bring up and educate his family in
superior style, and place his daughter in
position socially TO which her attractions
and attaiuments entitled her.
''But at this juncture cloud appeared
upon the old b!acksmilh's horizon at
first it was about the size Of mans
hand, but it speedily grew to the full size
of man himself, who proved to be a
workman upon well at short distance
from the Hewitt cottage, and who fell
head over heels into that delicious pool cf
affection, in which most of mankind have
padded blindly during their young days
At first Laura resisted her suitors ad-
yauces, but as weeks passed and there
was lack of society, which at other
times might have served as an antidote to
the growing admiration, she began to feel
for the young driller, who was cOmely,
young and strong, and possessed the not
unpleasing name of Henry Richardson.
She gradually sought his society Cher
father had long since forbidden bis COM
ing to the house, and hardly day passed
but that she was seen near his derrick,
watching the pulsations of the walking
beam and her heart at the same time, and
| listening to his stories Of adventure by
flood and [oill field.
g She loved him for the danger he had
passed, and he loved her because she be-
lieved his yarns, and no one else would
and finally one bright day, as be had jnst
| finished 4 terrible recital of escape from
death by falling sand pump puly, she
| shrieked and said she wished that heaven
had made her such a man. when Henry
abandoned the temper-screw rope, and
caught the fair Laura to his petroleum
stained bosom, wiped the benzine from
his brow and lips, kissed her, and said,
Il am the man.
"While enjoying the few moments sue
ceeding their betrothal-blissful moments
that only come twice in a mans lifetime,
once when he finds his mothers preserves,
and the other as mentioned-the lovers
were startled by the sudden entrance of
the village blacksmith who seized Lis
daughter, and without word to the dis
consolate Harry, carried Laura home and
locked her up. Days passed without
communication between the lovers, and
while Laura grew thin, Henry also ex>
perienced bad luck. His tools got fast.