The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-02-20
POPULAR TALES.
r. .az From Graham's Magazine.
THE PIC MIC.
A Story OF the Wissahickon.

by cHAs. J. PETERSON

A Story of the Wissahichon.
by cHAs. J. PETERSON
! CHAPTER l.
At twenty one, Tom Hastings had his fortune
yet to make. But he was sanguine and ambi.
tious, and he did not doubt he should die a mil
| lionaire. He had been dreamer from boyhood;
one of those careless fellows who write poetry,
are fond of sporting, and live as if they were
worth fortune. From eighteen until his majo-
rity, his guardian could do nothing with him.
He had taken his degree, and he refused to stu
dy profession, so there was nothing left but to
idle away his time as he best could. The inter-
val was employed in desultory studies, and in
pedestrian excursions through the country, d-
versifed now and then by speculation in stocks.
On the whole, the time was not ill-spent. He
acquired considerable insight into character dur
ing his halfvagrant travels, made little money,
and picked up hoard of miscellaneous knowl-
edge.
/ Tom had been the handsome man in college,
and few had such an oily tongue among the girls.
He was bit of dandy; indeed the only man
of sense ever knew for fop He was proud
of his curls and whiskers; always promenaded
Chestnut street before dinner, and was perfect
man .milliner in the way of fashion. He sang;
played on the flute; waltzed, as the ladies said
divinely; and used to VOW he had shut himself
up for a fortnight to study the language of flow
ers. He had delicate way of paying compli-
ment that few women could withstand; and his
conversation possessed that mingled sense and
gaiety which pleases old and young alike. AL
together he was just the man for making love.
often told him over CT gar, that he must ac-
quire his fortune by matrimony. But Tom was
tull OF romance, and declared be would marry
for love or die a bachelor.
When he attained his majority, his guardian
called him in to settle his accounts. Tom found
he was worth just ten thousand dollars. The
sum appeared small to one dreaming of millions,
and, for day, he hesitated between trip to the
Indies or runaway match from Saratoga Tom
decided in favor of Canton. In less than a week
he had embarked his whole fortune in assorted
goods, and was waiting only for fair wind to
sail.
On the point of leaving his country, perhaps
forever, he could not avoid some melancholy
feelings. 10 dissipate these, he mounted his
horse, and cantered by Laurel Hill to German
town. Late in the afternoon he returned by way
OF the Wissahickon. 1t was early summer, when
this romantic stream is in all its glory. The sun
was just lingering above the tops that were
piled up the side of the precpice on the opposite
bank, as he wound down the rocky roadr and
half the stream below lay in shadow, and half
seemed molten gold. A profound stiffness reign
ed around, broken only by a leaf rustling lightly
or the dropping of water from neghboring
rock Charmed by the scene, he drew in his
rein in portion of the road where there is scarce
ly room tor two carriages to pass abreast between
the cliffs on one side and the precipice on the
other; but he had scarcely halted when the rat
tie Of wheels was heard, and light trottinc
wagon dashed up the hill. Tom had thought
less]y stopped with his horse across the road
lie turned the animal Immediately, but not soon
enough to prevent the other horse starting aside;
and with horror he beheld the frightened beast
dash toward the precpce, which in this place
has sheer descent of forty feet. The occupants
OF the wagon were young lady and still young
er boy, the latter of whom now lost all presence
OF mind and dropped the reins. An instant on
ly hung between the victims and eternity Ano-
Their bound of the maddened animal would carry
him over the cliff. Tom felt the blood curdle at
his heart, and for a second was paralyzed, but
the lmmlnency of the peril reused HIM, and dash
ing forward, regardless of almost certain death,
he seized the head of the beast, and by an exer-
ton OF supcr-human strength, turned it up the
road In the struggle the carriage was upset;
but the occupants gained time to leap out unin-
Jured The skill of Tom soon enabled him to
calm the spirited animal; and he then for the
first time bestowed curious look on the persons
he had so fortunately rescued
The boy was apparently about thirteen, and
seemed not yet recovered from his fright; but the
lady, whom our hero took for a sister, had re-
gained her selt-possession, and now advanced to
thank her dcliverer. Tom thought he had new
er seen any female half so beautiful And when,
IN somewhat tremulous tones, and with an eve
moist in spite of every effort to the contrary, she
called him her preserver, hero, for the first
time in his life, became embarrassed, and was
unable to reply. At length he stammered out
something, he knew not what; and offering to
lead her horse past all danger, begged her 10 re-
sumo her seat fearlessly. She seemed treasured
by what he said and when, as he assisted her to
the carrlage, she leaned on him for a moment,
every nerve in him thrilled with ecstacv.
you will call on u.s. she said LOOKING at him
with her large, soft eyes. Father will thank
you as | cannot.-Do come, and tomorrow
She handed him her card with an earnest
trankness that bewtched him, yet which no one
could have misconstrued. Tom colored and
promised; and not until the carriage had disap-
peared, did he remember he was to sail the next
day. He then mentally resolved to call that cy-
ening; but looking at the card, he saw only the
name, and in the hurry of his emotions he had
already forgotten the address
CHAPTER II.
Three years after these events, Young man
stood in the portico of Head hotel. He had
highly intellectual face, somewhat sunburnt, as
If by exposure in southern climate; but his coat
was IN Carpenters latest style, and his boots,
(Which, by the by, are the true touchstones of
gentilityD were unexceptionable.
'Ha! Hastings, as | live, exclaimed young
man, who that instant came up.
| Ernest MOORE
'When did you arrive? Haven't seen you re.
ported Egad! am delighted, rapidly exclaim-
ed his mercurial companion. you look better
than ever, only deucedly sunburnt In good
health, l suppose, except little touched in the
liver?
Zone wants breath to answer your questions as
fast as you ask them. But, for the gresent, know
| have just arrived from Canton, by way Of Bos-
ton, and am in good health and spirits
Sand you We made fortune. By George! /
knew you would" exclaimed the other warmly.
mot exactly, said Tom, smiling, remember
have been absent but three years But have
made little money. However, come to nv
room, where Wen have some champagne, and
talk of old times. 1t does one good to see ia
miliar face again.
The hours passed away rapidly. The young
men had been school-mates and subsequently |
chums; and so there were thousand thinps to
talk or Who was married-what old compan |
ions had made fortunes-which of the former
pelles were still in the market-these, and
score OF others. wore tho rnoct;on. ,nJ ..Ia