The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1871-10-14
Love in the Oil District.

oil producing district known as Parkcr's
Landing, and not great distance from
where the Clarion river minglcs its pei
lucid waters with the swifter-rolling
tide of the Allegheny, has lived for
years man named Hewitt, who, coming
to the country in its early history, erect
ed cabin, and maintaincd an humble
existence by following his profession of
horseshoeng.
When the oil excitement brought
numbers Of spectators to that section of
Pennsylvania, it was discovered that the
blacksmith's farm was series of Gil
wells, and he sold it for large sum, pur-
chasing for himself stylish residence in
the neiglborhood.
Here: with his only daughter, Laura,
now OF marriageablc age, he lived hap
PLY until fate threw in his daughters
way an affinity-a young man named
Harry Richardson, driler by occupa-
ton, and poor as church mouse.
She sought his society Cher father had
long since forbidden his coming to the
house) and hardly day passed but that
she was seen in the derrick, watching the
pulsations of the walking beam and her
heart at the same time, and listening to
his stories of adventure by food and
(oill field.
She loved him for the dangers he had
passed, and he loved her because lie be.
lieved his yarns, and no one else would.
Finally, one bright day, as he had just
finished II terrible recital of escape from
death IS Il falling and-pump pulley. she
shricked and sail she wished that
Heaven had made her such man. when
Harry abandoned tho timber screw rope
aud caught the fair Laura to his pctro-
ieum stained bosum, wiped the bcnzinc
from his brow and lips, kissed her, AID
said:
Il am the man "
W!i!2 enjoying the few moments sue
cccding their betrothal--blissfu mo-
mcnts, that only come twice in mans
lifetime; once when he finds his moth
crs preserves, ana the other us men
tioncd-;he lovers were startled by the
entrance Of the village blacksmith,' who
seized his daughter, aud without II word
to the disconsoatc Henry, carried Laura
home and locked her up.
Days passed without communication
between the lovers, and while Laura
grew thin Henry also experienced bad
luck. His tools got fast; the sand pump
bursted, and his heart promised soon to
follow suit
But just here happy thought struck
him. Outside of the derrick was seve
raj hundred feet gas, pipe. He could not
lay Il telegraph wire, but he might lay u
pipe line to his Laura's house, through
which, pcrchancc, two hearts could beat
as one, and hold communi&a ton sweet.
IN spite of TIE defeated free pipe bill.
No sooner suggested than acted upon
That night he laid six hundred and
eighty-onc feet Of halfinch gas pipe un-
der ground, between his derrick and the
prison Of hi, betro:hed
A happy Junction with the eavespout
was effected during the next night, and
Isl rif q.
and received between the lovers, Laura
h.vng brought the end of the water
pipe close to her window and Henry had
his end of the line directly beneath his
pillow, where, after he was off tour he
would whisper words of undying aifec-
tion, that only ended when he fell asleep
aud the pipe slipped out of his hand.
But while love giggled at the lock
smith, the blacksmith was preparing to
snort right out ut love.
Que day while Laura was at her din.
ner, her father had, while looking around
the room discovered the misplaced pipe
and while gazing with critics eye at
the strange spectacle, was more startled
by the soft words, coming apparently
from the cistcrn.
Laura, dear, is the old man around 2
Mr. nowctt smdt mouse.
He did more than that--hc inhaled
the genuine odor Of n wharf rat; but