American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-09

year, when she obtained a SITUATION Tor nm
with merchant residing at the ilourlshng
town of Rochester, in the State Of New York.
Williams good conduct, and steady application
to business, won the favorable opinion Of his
employer. The merchant was man OF great
benevolence; he could appreciate merit in what
ever station it was to be met; and, when he
saw the lad supporting an aged mother out OF
his earnings, never mingling with the low and
vicious, and practising fidelity to business I'M
usual i'll one SO young, it was impossible to
avoid feeling an involuntary respect for his
character William was aware of the mer-
chants kindness; he knew that his salary ex-
ceeded that given to other boys, still he never
presumed on the merchants dsinterestcdness,
but was alike respectful to his employers and
their customers. On the day in which he was
introduced to the readers notice, he had been
offered share in the merchants lucrative bust
ness. Never had his brightest vision pictured
such a result; but even then, when it would
have been more natural to suppose him greatly
eIatcd by his good fortune, he thought only of
his mother; and, while his expressions Of graft
tude were poured in eloquent language into the
car Of his beneiactor, there was mlngling Of
thanks that she would be the reaper of his I'M
eXalnpled kindness.
Tomorrow! who may bolst Of tomorrow?
The widow and her son parted from each
other with happiness bright IN the perspective.
The storm OF the preceding evening had been
succeeded by morning of unusual brightness
for the season, for it was the middle OF January;
and telling his mother he would not return to
dinner but that she would see him early in the
evening, William babe her farewell.
twas the close of the day that traveller
went forth to view the picturesque and beau
tful falls of the Gennessee. He proceeded
slowly, gazing upon the surrounding country
with an eye Of connoiSseur; and had gained
the point at which the fail could be seen to the
greatest advantage, when his attention became
engrossed by an object of exceeding interest
Near to the aqueduct was a man employed
in endeavorng to collect some dfilt-wood -
He had stretched forth his arm to seize float
ing log, when, the place being slippery, he
lost his balance and fell into the water. At
first the stranger thought him Justly punished
ior his termerity, and felt inclined to smile at
what he deemed his toolhardiness; but soon
other feelings predominated. The nvcr was
very high, and the current, running strong,
soon brought the rash youth towards the rap
ids
Who, oh! who may paint the anguished feel
ings of that hapess being, knowing himself to
be doomed to inevitable destruction! On, on
the rapids drove him. There was not a ray of
hope to cheer his dropping heart; but, as the
moment ofimpending fate drew near, despera-
ton gave him strength to grapplc with death
grasp; OH the very top of the falls he stood bolt
upright upon his feet, and, giving one wild and
dreadful shrek, went over. Faint and dizzy
the traveller had closed his eyes to shut out
the dreadful sight. He knew that the hapless
being had seen him, that the last agonlzng APP
peal the unfortunate youth had made for aid
was to him, aud, sick at heart, he returned to
the hotel.
When tho melancholy fact became spread
through the town, it was said to be 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 devo-
ton to her, and of his subsequent good conduct.
Ii was mentioned that his prospects had i'm
proved, and many coniectured that the force
of habit, more than actual necessity had occa-
stoned the fatal catastrophe. Reader, the poor
drowned youth was the widows only son!
Not many days after, coffin was seen slow
ly emerging from the widows now desolate
mansion. The body of the young man had
been found many miles below the spot at which
he persisted. Not a trace of his once pleasant
countenance was perceptble; but his clothes
were identified by many. There was one who
would have recognized hun under any circum-
| stances-the heart-broken mother. When all
shrunk and turned away with horror from
viewing the mutilated limbs, she chung to them,
and wept over them in the most bitter agony.
The earth closed over his loved remains. 1t
was the ,oidoao's last trial.
Soon she was sleeping beside him.