Year: 1879

Oil City Derrick.


A Chieftain, to the Highland bound,
cries, Boatman, do not. tarry, and I'll
give you a dollar and half to row us
across the lake"


"Now, who be ye would cross Loch-
Gyle this dark and stormy night p
asked the ferryman, with much curl
osity.


"What is that to you, you bald headed
snipe OF the vsleyY' replied the Chief.
tain, growing pale about the gills. at
| pay you good round sum for your
services it appears to me your interest in
the matter should end there. Do you
require the pedigree of every man,
woman or child you take across in your
internal scow? II it wasn't that Pm in
a hurry I'd smack your jaws ior your
impudence, but as it is," displaying a
handful OF coin, "as it is, Pm the Chief
of Ulva's Isle, and this-Lord UlIan's
daughter. His horsemen bard behind
us ride, and should they overtake us here
in the glen it would go hard with u.s."
Out spoke the hardy Highland wight
while he unlocked bis tkitf and told them
to get in: I'm go, my Chief, I'm ready
but considering the terrible storm, / hope
You will make it two dollars, although
rs a matter of fact, do not venture
forth ior a mere money consideration
but tor your winsome lady. l have been
there 10 some extent myself, and can
appreciate the situation, so, by my worG,
the bonny bird in danger shall not tsrry
Sit little more in the middle to trim
the boat, please, and here we go!'


BY this the storm grew loud pace,
the water-wfaith was shrieking, and
other things looked most mighty dark.
But still as wilder grew the storm, and
as the night grew drearier, adown the
glen rode at least dozen men, with old
Ullan at the head On a cream c0lored
mule. "Oh, haste thee, hsstel" the
lady cries; Though tempests round us
gather, III meet the raging storm, but
not my angry pa" So on they rowed
amid the roar of waters fart prevailing,
and when Lord Ulan reached the shore
his wrath was dreadful to hhold. And
no wonder. For sore dismayed through
storm aud shade, he discovered his
daughter out in the boat with a smile on
her lip, and salt spray in her eye, and
both arms around her lover. For while
it seemed that he would take it out of
his hired men and the cream colored
mule, AS he declared he would have the
former beheaded as soon as he got home,
and the latter he was hammering over
the ears with club. Presently he took
another tack: "Come back come
back!" he cried in grief, "across the
stormy water, and I'll forgive your High.
land hey, my daughter oh, my daugh-
ter! and also settle the bill with the
ferryman. HHt


But the young lady could not be
caught 10 easily. Neither could the
young man, who told the ferryman TO
press on, and then turning around in the
boa still keeping one arm about his
sweetheart to prevent her falling out,
called TO the old gentleman: "Much
obliged for your kind invitation, my dear
sir, but We will not come back at pres
ent. You can expect us, however, ip
the course of week or ten days. Till
then, adieu Lord Ullan called again
Twas vain; the loud waves lashed the
shore; return, they wouldn't think of it.
La fifteen minutes they were on the other
side, the ferrymsn was wondering what
he would do with a twenty dollar gold
piece, and the young couple were in.
quiriug the way to the nearest justice of
the peace.