Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-07-29
Hem! That depends! You are but work.

hope to the hour Wnen uigus ASPIRE 10 neg
hand -
"What is the world come to p exclaimed the old
man. sarcasticaly. Why Matthew. you hidst be
mad. l have six thousand frames year to ieavs
my daughter, and do you think would let her mar.
ry a workman, however good, however respected ="
Il thought as much, said the young man. sadly !:
"and yet, having Euphrasies leaye could not but
try though. that, as you yourself Mefe work
man originally, you might hope that l---' S
y h q hss eood FORK
tune. Matthew Boisdoux. you are very cleyer fell
low, but the old man is not to be caught let nc
be good friends ever, but my daaght6r, cest trop
fort"
Boisdoux made no reply He was choking, 50 he
rose quietly and went away, and the old man never
him again.
1t was a week later, on the 7th November, 1910,
and dark stormy and terrible night. Much rain
had fallen and the river had swollen; there was
scarcely enough space left for any boat to 60 under
the arches of the bridge of Montereau. 1t was d
night for home and home comforts, for warm fre
and blazing lights, and coy supper, and pleas
ant chat with pleasant people. In the streets there
temptation. So the lights burnt in vain, the
shops lit up uselessly, not soul was to be seen with
out The rain fell heavily, and yet driven along
the streets in slantng direction, falling on the
rough, course pavement and forming everywhere
little puddles The cutters were diminutye rivers.
that rushed madly along to plunge into the great
stream
And yet the lights from the riverside windows
tossed waters, along which elided now and Then d
boat that soon gained moerings. And then rattle
of chains hustle of oars proclaimed the eagerness
of those who manned them to depart; and then all
was silent. The crew rapidly disappeared into some
of the streets of the town, again deserted
There was one man, however, who braved the
pitiless storm, at the northern extremity of the
bridge. He wore tarpaulin coat and cap, and
stood leaning against iron pillar. His attitude
one of deep attention. He was listening for the
rStc crVO Of aI WI hat m hat
night there was danger, and some feow-creature to
be saved. One or two peeped out at windows and
doors, and saw his dark shadow by the light of the
lamp above his head, would shudder and re-entet
their houses, saying:
It's Boisdoux. God send his courage be not need.
ed tonighth
1t was, indeed Boisdoux, at his accustomed post.
1t was his habit to pass the night apart near the
river such nights. when his ntrepdity and skill
might suddenly be called for. Rarely had he been
out in such a storm. The wind blew in itful and
terrible gusts, and Boisdoux almost wondered tha.
wailing cry summoned him to his duty.
Suddenly he started. The coche was III sight
On it came at rapid pace, evidently halfmastered
by the storm. 1t in the middle Of the river and
Boisdoux that it was about 10 turn for sh6rA-=
But just the bow began to swerye round, the old
passage boat quivered and plunged headlong to-
wards the bridge against which it struck with ter
rife violence. cry the terror. struck, despairng
cry of three-and-twenty perishng souls, rose wildly
to the heavens. Bosdoux saw that the cocte was
upset, and that it's two ends were pressed by the
force of the against the two sides of an arch
The man acted camly He flung off all his clothes
but his trowsers and shirt-for he said sadly in
his subsequent examination, 81 knew there would
be work for me that night'-and then vaulted over
the bridge into the stream. moment stunned by
the fall, the next moment was clamberng on to the
coche. He found that the whole stern was under
water, and the common room only above the SUR
face. 1t was dark, that Boisdoux could scarcely
tell how to act.
lonS 4; Il
will save us 2"
4, Boisdoux,' replied the heroic boatman
A faint cry of satisfaction came from small cab.
in window. He rushed to it. 1t was too narrow
for him to pass. Still, breaking it with bis hands,
he tried to force himself in, for this way only could
he hope to save any of the passengers. Using his
great strength with all his wonted energy he at last
tore away narrow strip of plank, and plunged in.
to the cabndeath in his heart, for he heard scarce
ly a sound He felt his hand, in the dark a.
byss, woman. She breathed and he at once forced
her through the window, followed laid Der In safe
place, and re-entered the cabin. Another woman
rewarded his efforts, and then a man. fourth
time ne entered the close and now mephitic cabin,
half fall of water
Speak is there one here more whom can a 'ti!,
he said, in an agonized tone. He was thinking of
Euphrasie.
No sound came.
Speak, in the name of God y he exclaimed { for
am choking
But no reply came. All was silent as DEATH
Not one J. muttered Boisdoux, feeling about and
claspng man in his arms. Can not save one
more Help y
Boisdoux made desperate effort to reach the
window, for he felt himself fainting from fatigue and
the close vapors of the cabin He saw by the fash
ing lights that help had come. Next minute he was
dragged forth by one of the police of the town. who
with hundreds of the inhabitants were now on the
scene of the terrible disaster. The FIRST form that
caught the eye OF the young was that of Eu-
phraste, whose life he had saved without knowing
it. Her father had perished.
but too late to save any Others. OF the passengers
and crew, twenty had perished. Boisdoux had saved
three-his beloved, and brother and sister who at
the trst shock, had crowded together.
This time all France applauded the herosm Of
the boatman of Montereau. the press gave columns
to the narraive-eVen the sedate Monifeur-the
king sent him the of the legion of honor never
more worthily earned the Montyon prizewas aver
ded him. men from all parts him takens of their
admiration and best of all, when two wears had
elapsed Euphrasie gave him her hand. The boat.
man retired from his ordinary Iabors but with the
consent of his wife, he still devotes his whole mind
to the noble task he had allotted unto himself and
II ever she feels dread or alarm. she sends him
forth eagerly, when in low and hushed voice he
breathes the name of the Coche Of A,1rerre
Quick REPARTEE.-The following anecdote of
Gov Morris. is related by correspondents Of the New
York Times:
He had respect for Bishop Moore, as a man noted
for the purity of his character, bull not less noted for
the retiring modesty of his disposition and the general
favor in which he was held. AS the story ran "A din
ner was given by some one of Governor Morris friends
when ne was about departing for Europe. Bishop
Moore and his wife were OF the party Among OH.
er things that passed in conversation, Mr. Morris oh
served that he made his will in prospect OF goine