The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-02-13
st. Johnsbury, Vt. February 10, 1S43.

such result; but even then when II would have been
natural to suppose him greatly eatcd by his good for
tune, he thought only of his mother; and while his
expressions of gratitude were poured in eloquent lam
guage into the of his benelactor, there was Il min
Cling thanks that she would be the reaper of his I'm
exampled kindness.
lo-morrow! who may boast OF tomorrow ?
Inc widow and her parted from each other
win happiness bright in the perspective. The storm
OF the preceding evening had been succeeded by
morning OF unusual mldness for the season for il was
The middle OF January; telling his mother he would
rot return to dinner, but that she should him ear
ly in the evening, William bnde her farewell.
1t was at the close of the day that traveller went
iorth to view the picturesque and beautiful falls of
the tennessee. He proceeded slowly. gazing upon
the scenery OF the surrounding country with the eye
OF II connoiscur; and had gained the point at which
the Tails could be seen with the greatest advantage
wheh his attention became cngrossed by obect Of
exceeding interest. Near 10 the aqueduct was Il
young man employed in endeavorng to collect some
driit wood. lie had stretched forth his arm to seize
floating log, when the place being slippery, he lost
his balance and fell into the water At first, the
stranger thought him justly punished for his temery
fool-hardiness, but other feelings predominated
The river was very high, and the current running
strong soon brought the rash youth towards the rap
ids.
Who, on who may paint the anguished feelings of
that haP'ess being, knowing himself doomed 10 inevi-
table destruction! On, on the rpids drove him.
There was not ray hope to cheer this drooping
heart; but as the moment of impending fate drew
near, desperation gave strength to grapple with
deathgrasp; the very top he stood bolt upright up
on his feet and giving dreadful Shrek went over
Faint and dizzy the traveller had closed his ewes TO
shut out the dreadful sight lie knew that the hap
less being had seen him, that the agonzing appeal
the unfortunate youth had made for aid, was to him.
and sick at heart he returned to the hotel.
When the melancholy fact became spread through
the town, 1T said to poor youth who had been
in the habit of nightly carrying home supply of
drift wood to his mother. All spoke highly of him. of
his devotion to her, and of his subseq good
duct 1t was mentioned that his prospects had i'm
proved, and many conecturcd that the force of hab
it, more than actual necessity, had accustomed the ia
tai catastrophe Render, the poor drowned youth
was the Widows only SON
Not many days after, coffin was seen emerging
from tho Widows desolate mansion The body
of the young man had been found many miles below
the spot at which he persisted. Not Of the
once pleasant countenance perceptibc; but his
clothes were identified by many. There who
would have recognized him under any circumstances
the heart broken mother. When all shrunk and
turned away in horror from viewing the sight of his
mutilated limbs, she chung to them, and wept over
the body in the most bitter agony. The earth closed
over his loved remains. 1t the WIDOWS LAST
TRIAL!