The Petroleum Centre daily record. [volume] (Petroleum Center, Pa.) 1868-1873, 1873-02-28
Tho OIL Driller's Home.

While. travelling through the Oil Regions,
few years ago, and passing through
prospective portion Of the valley Of OH
Creek, I saw standing alone on one of these
high hills peculiar to that country. rude
shanty which seemed almost inaccessible 10
man or beast, the ascent 10 its summit be-
ing nearly perpendicular. Euterins into
conversation with driller in one OF tbe
derricks near by, who happened to be- owner
of that lofty mansion, be told me bis story,
and being somewhat romantic. is incorpora/
ted in the following rude lines:
Ny home is on yon mountain high.
Whose summit towerA to meet the sky.
It stands alone, though not unseen,
Amid this busy, stirring scene.
Though planted on that lofty dome,
1t is quiet, humble home.
For there a matron, young and iair
Spreads out the board with ample care,
And weaves soug OF peace and rest,
Ts the sweet infant Oh her breast.
All! once in joy and Hopes high primo
1 held her jsweled baud in mine;
Ah! once when times were not like these,
Her ficgeis swept the ivory keys.
Then mnsic flowed as flows u stream--
hear il yet, as 10 a dream!
Then wrap't in loves and Music's charm,
bowed before that fair yonng form;
And from the altar, at my side,
led her fer b, a blushing BRIDE
took her to my home Of wealth;
She seemed the joy of home herself
We rolled in Fashions binding maze,
We lived in.pomp and luxury's blaze;
Aud in the parlor's softened light,
Or in the ball-room's giddy flight,
Where beauty rivalled beauty's glance,
And shamed The Grac-s in the dance;
Where woman's softest charms inthrali-
She shone the fairest Of them all.
But times have changed; one adverse day,
Swept wealth and power and all away;
But left my bride with all her charms,
I came; and on yon hill aside,
O'erlooking Oil Creeks rapid tide,
$50 high it rises and So steep
That you could scarce your footing keep,
And scarce ascend it from beneath,
By stopping often tor your breath,)
OF hemlock lumber, rude and bare,
hu, ,lt that Inftv naIaca tbor..
No frescoed walls my house divide
One little window on each side;
Tho small and cramped ills space may seem
Yet love and peace reign there supteme.
No neighbors vex us with their cares,
No peddlars bore us with their wares;
And visitors but seldom come
To see US in our mountain bone;
And when they do we'.e very sure
'Tis out OF friendship deep and pure.
And in this Valleys busy hum,
Which rises ere the day has come,
With cheerful heart, and purse as light,
l toll from morning until night;
And sometimes as drill for oil,
l sing to cheer the hours OF toll.
Then comes the welcome hour Of night,
And from yon hill shiues forth a light,
To guide me to its sacred height.
And though that hill looks steep and drear,
| scale il like mountain deer;
For that rude lodge OF hemlock there
Is dear to me az palace fair.
SeIeuely from the worlds alloy,
We paes our nights in peace and joy,
Above the din Of Toll and strifr,
We view the busy scenes OF ile,
Aud fromsths lofty mountain height
The Valley gieahs aud glows with light.
And as the winter nights grow long,
She often sings 10 me a son2,
Aud as l hear its notes seem,
To float ;ar of, as in dreau,
A dream, dream OF the o!dsn time,
When wealth and power and hope were