Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-07-07

anu HOL Ouo even OF LneS6 was Dy many
feet near it, "0h, Swindon how can
you say so p .@I aiu.a4D
"I can say it, and Ido," snappishly
replied the fiery young man, his brain
heated with wine; and, at any rate,
what that fellow Manners has done,
can do. So look out p
Thus speaking, he recklessly stepped
on the beam and despite the remonstran-
ces of his companions, was in the act of
proceeding along it, when his arm was
firmly grasped, and low, deep-toned
voice exclaimed, "My Lord, do not court
a horrible death Do not risk your life
for naught."
The individual who thus unhesitatingly
intcrferred, was evidently unknown to all
present, being casual visitor to the cas-
tie who had just joined the group. With
an imprecation, the madcap youngster
jerked his arm away, and sprang forward
along the beam. Its surface was rough,
rounded and uneven and as he ran along
swerving from side to side, every instant
in danger of being precipitated downward,
with the awful certainty of being dashed
to pieces, his friends could hardly restrain
themselves from shrieking with terror,
though such course would probably
have had the immediate effect of discom-
posing the equilibrium of their rash COM
panion, and SO induce the catastrophe they
fully anticipated, without the power Of
prevention. Had the adventurer's pre-
sence of mind one moment failed-had
his self-possession and confidence wavcr-
ed or forSaken-had his brain sickcncd,
or his eyes turned dim for single second
had he made the least false step-had
his footing slipped on the Shiny surface of
the beam-had he tripped against any of
the knots projecting from the rotten wood
which had mouldcred away around them
at once would he have hurled into dread
eternity,
But an unseen hand sustained him, and
safely he reached the extremity of the
beam, ruthlessly wrcnchcd the trembling
owl from its perch, waved it aloft in tri-
umph, and then with proud ejaculation,
began to retrace his steps, with it shrick-
ing and huttcring in his hands. When
he reached the centre Of the frail beam,
which creaked and bent terribly with his
comparatively small weight, he paused,
drew himself up to his full hcight-air
above, air beneath, air all around, naught
but air-and deliberately tore the head of
the owl by main force from its body
Having pcrpetrated this cruel decd, he
tossed the bloody head among the breath
less spectators, and sharply dashed the
writhing body into the void beneath his
feet. He coOlly watched it's descent, un-
til it lay shapeless mass on the stones
below then, with a slow, bravadOing
mien, he walked back to his terrified par
ty, and boastingly demanded of them
whether they thought "Manners could
beat that 2"
"My lord" solemnly said the stranger,
you have not performed the act either
of a brave or Il sane man, and you have
committed despicablc deed on one of
Gods helpless creatures. You ought to
thank Him, my lord, from the depth of
your soul, that he saved you from the pc
nalty you incurred"
"What do you say ?" fiercely deman-
dcd Lord Swindon. "Do you dare to in
sinuate cowardice against me % and with
flashing brow, he assumed threatening
attitude.
"I know not. my lord, whether you are
brave or not, but what have witnessed
was certainly not an exercise of true cou-
rage" was the passlonless reply.
"And yet I'll wager cool thousand
that you daren't do it,"
True, dare not for am incapable
Of Offering deadly insult to my maker"
"Fino words !" Then, carried away
by the excitement of the moment, he adj
ded, with an insolcrt look and gesture,
" You arc lying coward"
Listen, my lord" answered the per-
son thus addressed, and this time his tone
was even calmer than before. " One year
ago, you were walking at the midnight
hour on the pier at the seaport of Hull,
and but one other person was upon it.,
and was stranger to you. You trod too
near the edge Of the pier, and fell into the
sea. The tempest was bowling and the
tide was high and running strongly, and
ere you could utter one smoothered cry,
it had swept you many yards away, and
you were sinking rapidly. Except God,
none but the stranger heard your cry of
agony, and soon as it reached his ear, he
looked forth upon the waters, and catch
ing glimpse of your struggling form, he
instantly plunged in, and after much di.
wing, eventually grasped you at great
depth. Long ulu nc support your help-
less body, and stoutly did he buffet the
sitting waves, and loudly did he call for
aid, to save you. At length help came ;
and at the last moment, he and you were
saved, just in time for life to be preserved
in both. Is not this true, my lord %
"It is," emphatically responded the
young nobleman::; but what have you to
do with it.? l don't know you-thou1h
it is not at all wonderful" added he with
a sneer, that you should happen.to know
about the matter, for the newspapers bla-
zoned it quite sufficiently"
"My lord, one. question more. Did