Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-09-29
From the UaAea Service Lonrnnl.

from the URUed SerUice journal.
THE CADET-THE FIRST CONSUL.
It was thick haZy afternoon. The
SUMS blood-red orb, ampIifed to double its
usual size, was already hanging like a huge
ball Of fire over the western horizon,
making its last effort to dispel the ha-
~ wreaths Of hoar frost which were
fast thickcnng into the gloom of prcma-
ure evening. The inclemcncy of an I'M
usual severe season had, for some weeks
past, wrapped every thing in the pale live
~ Of winter. IccIcs hung pendent from
every roof Huge masses of snow en-
numbered the streets, and even the waters
Of the Seine, arrested in their course by
the stern gripe Of winter, were now the
scene Of holiday sports for crowds of school
boys, who alone seemed to rejoice in the
general torpidity Of nature
In such weather | felt little inclination
to extend my ramblcs, and contentcd my
self with watching the lively groups pur-
suing their boyish pastimes on the icy sur
face Of the waters. Most conspicuous a
lnong the number was large party Of ca
diets, just let loose from one Of the military
schools, whose boistcrous mrth added not
little to the animation of the scene
These speedily formed themselves into two
parties, and taking advantage of the am
pic store Of materials at hand, commenced
an active warfare with snowballs. After
an obstinate contest, one Of the parties
succeeded in driving the other from the
field. The retreat was soon converted in
10 a total route, and, in the excitement of
bn III 81.
seemed TO forget the dangers to which
their needless imprudenco was exposing
them.
Notwithstanding the yielding and crack
ing Of the ice, several of the retrcatng
party took refuge near the edge Of it,
where, in spite of the rcmOnstranccs oE
many who were alarmed at their pcriIous
situation, they continued to keep their pur-
sucrs at bay, till loud crash, and the i'm
mcrsion of one of their number, announ-
ccd that the danger Of which they had
been warned was not imaginary. The in
stinct Of representation induced them
immediately TO rush from tho spot and the
bending Of the ice under this simultaneous
movement, added wings to their flight
The youth who had become the victim
of this rashness, no sooner rose to the
surface than he grasped with drowning
cagerness at the fragile support around
him, aud, shouting for help, endcavorcd to
raise himself upon the ice, which repeat
edIy gave way, and again plunged him in
10 ihe stream, moro and more exhausted
by each successive effort.
! had anticipated some such disaster,
and n short time before had moved for
ward, rs well to add my voice in warning
them OF their danger, as to render any
assistance which might be in my power :;
bat ere | could reach the scene Of the ac-
cidcnt, one OF the cadets, an active little
fellow who had been conspicuous as the
leader of the victorious party, rushed to
the rescue Of his drowning companion.-
Light as his weight was, however, | had
some fear that the ice was too weak to sup
port il, and | called to him to return till
ropes could be procured to assist his efforts:
but with generous scIt-dcvotion he persist
ed in his attempt, and ii was with heart
paIpitating alike foc his safety and success
that saw him approach his companion,
and cndeayor TO raise him out Of the wa
ter But rs might have been expected,
the lOotnT which was Insecure even tor
one, Immediately gave way under the
weight of two, and both were in an instant
plunged hcadIong into the stream. Lucki-
ly they swan well, and succeeded in gras-
ping the ice; but the former, exhausted
by his repeated efforts, could scarce sus-
tain himself, and it was obvious that. I'M
less speedy assistance could be procured.
there was little chance of saving him.
The contrast between the conduct of the
two boys at this trying moment was very
striking. The one first immersed scream
cd mos! pitcously, acted the part of 4 child,
and seemed to have lost all sclf-poSscssion:
cxhausting himself by repeated and iIl-di-
rectcd efforts to scramble upon the ice
The other, though considerably his junior,
uttered not n word, except occasionally 10
cheer his companion, and beg Of him, in a
tone sayoring rather of contempt, to cease
his crying. lie was calm and collected,
at once seemed to comprehend the extent
81, his danger, and that the only hope OF