Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1890-12-13
A -Glycerine Episode.
Br R1Rb MrNROE.


& Want to 90 we'll l-shootine, do you2"
said my friend the broker as we stoodNn
the Petroleum Exchange at Oil City.
stWell, every one to his taste. Now
nothing would induce me travel with a
torpedoman. However, I'll fix it for
you.
Al four O'Clock the following morning
awaited, at the stable where he kept
his spirited team, the coming of my new
friend. 4 few minutes later he appeared,
bearing on his shoulder a bundle of new
tin tubes ten feet long and1two and five
inches in diaiuetcr.
The etorpcdo-wagon in which we were to
ride was an open single seated box buggy
hung on the lightest and most delicate
Of steel springs. The seat was hinged and
swung forward. Beneath it was strong
box divided into six square paded com
partmcnts. 10 my great relief they were
empty
While sleepy hostler was harnessing
the team 1.-TWO JET black spirited young
animals, for torpedo man .prides him
self upon the mettle of his horses-my
companion affixed to the left hand side
OF the buggy two curved iron rests,
something like those placed at the back
OF a victims head by photographer.
They were also padded, and in them was
land and securely lashed the bundle Of
tin tubes. In the buggy, behind the seat,
were placed heavy iron reel on which
were wound some two thousand feet of
stout oil-Soalcd cord, coil of fuse, an
other Of small wire, and go-devil." As
wc took our places and the lively team
sprang away, vcntured to remind the
torpedo man that he had forgotten his
nitro giyccrinc.
"Oh, no, haven t, he laughed. 81
am not allowed 10 bring it into town,
| but keep it in several small magazines
some miles out in the woods, near the
| different roads that | have to travel.
There is one not far from the we'll we
are going to shoot this morning, SO that
We sha Mt have to drive more than a
mile with the stuff aboard,
The morning ali seemed to intoxicate
our team, tol they danced along the road
occasionally springing from side to side
in mock terror of stump, black
bowlder, OF the puff Of steam from 3
pumping engine. These exhibitions OF
equine rccklessncss and disregard OF
ing. aud would have been most alarming
had the .stuff" been under our bugg,
seat
" passed several teams, and the mo
mcnt their drivers caught sight of the
cleaning tin tubes that denoted the
character OF Our equlpage, they drew a
far as possiblcto the side of the road anc
respectfully waited for US to pass.
'Qh, yes said the torpedo man; q
always have all the room want. Nobod,
ever crowds this ontht."
Al length NC were high UP on the hill
top, ul.crs he hot morning sun had dis
sipated the mist that still lay like sof
gray blanket over the lowlands All 9
once we turned sharply to the left, an
directly into the dense forest. The tree
had been cut from the rude trail that W
: now followed but their stumps remained
Over these. over loose rocks aud througl
bog holes the active horses scrambled
{ and the light buggy bounced with sue
plunges and slides that 1t was difficult I
retain ones seat.
is the magazine in here7" asked.
eyes, only a short distance ahead
''You surely don't drive out this wa
with the glycerine aboardl'
Why, OF course. This is the onl
:, road 1t isn'ta tirst-class I'm allow
but if it was too good, inquisitive foil
might be tempted to come in here. l:
safe enough, though. The supply wage
came in here only the day before yeste
day with a thousand pounds of t
stuff, and got through all right. There
the place now.'