True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-12-02
3 GBfalitg SketeB,
THE OLD MILL BRIDGE.
BY MRS, MARY MAYNARD.

BY MRS. MARY MAYNARD.
lam going to tell you one Of The most
exciting adventures | ever had, and tho
am aware il is but !riAe in comparison
with the hair breadth escapes" and
fearful cataslrophes, with which people
nowadays delight to fill papers, yet it
may interest some, and amuse Others,
and il is actually true.
mus. not ,cll the day and date. but j.
will be sufficient TO say that it was sum-
mer time, and very warm weather. when
party Of us young folks Of D., con-
cluded 10 go out on tile harbor to enjoy
the beautiful sunset, and listen to the band
playing on a'noble ship Of war. lying at
anchor opposite our town.
Our boat, a. new and nice one, was
: borrowed for the occasion. and the young
men, Of whom there we're three. talked
prodigiously about their "skill in row
ing" with how much truth. appeared af-
terwards. There were six Of us in all,
and as we were on intimate terms, our
party was merry one.
We started from the wharf where the
boat was kept, just before sundown, and
rowed out into the wide open bay to en-
Joy the sigh. at our leisure.
The evening was calm and still the
harboh was smooth as glass, not breath
of air ruffled its clear surface, and various
were the remarks made by our party, each
one expressing his or her opinion, until
Miss Amelia Fulton wound up by saying
it was "lovely. exceedingly lovely, but.
for her palt she would soon grow weary
of 'cloudess sky. Give me the storm
and the thunder, the wild wave and the
ligh,ning's FASH" she exclaimed in a
voice Of enthusiasm. taken from the last
novel she had perused, and very much at
variance with her appearance. Just then,
her thin muslin dress and kid slippers
looking like anything save stormy attire.
swell. now should think that would
be the last thing you would wish for,
Nellie" exclaimed her brother ith a
laugh. sDon't you know the spray
would take out all your curls, besides
hurting your complexion
There was a general smile, for Miss
Amelias foibles were pretty well known
81 wish You would try and be little
more refined, William" the beauty re-
piled, and then 10 change the conversation
she asked il VIC could not have some mu
sic!
Tom Osborne. the only one Of our par
ty who was unemployed, now produced
his flute, and amid exclamations Of deligh
proceeded to play some Of his most xii
ling airs for the benefit of Miss Jessi
Black, a little 'da,k.eyed 6irt, who anu
sed herself by ,eazing him and youu
Fulton, to her hearts content. | though
that her brother Harry rather liked Flu
ton, certain il is, he assisted him in spoil
ing Toms playing, for never did BOZ
move so uneasily over smooth harbo
and never did a poor dandy have sue
difficulty in maintaining his seat and hi
temper both.
Miss Amelia was making "dea
set" at Tom, and ever an anon betwee
the pauses she would exclaim, "beaui
flu" ' lovely" charming" etc., Will
little coquetlish Jessie would bestow {
him glances that made his heart be
again. Tom Osborne was certainly
his glory, but Fulton happened to see OF
OF these sweet smiles, cpntrived 10 spla'
his rival pretty literally with his left oa
making great many apologies at Il
same time, and taking his sisters upbrai
ings for his carelessness with great h
mility. These little jealousies aside. '
were very merry party, and laughe
and sang, and told stories, as we slow
rowed up the harbor, until all Of su
den some one spoke OF returning.
"What is that coming up at the mou
Of the harbor ~ exclaimed Jessie BlaC
pointing with her hand seward. "Sur
ly it's not fog 7"
We all looked and for an instant the
was silence. Harry was the first 10 spe'
"I, is the fog, boys, and ir we do
pull hard, il will be in before we are.'
Very little more was said, Tom put
his flute, and the other two rowed W
oil their strength, The boat went raT
ly through The water, but three times
speed would not have carried US back
the wharf in time to escape the de
grey cloud which now came rolling
enveloping everything in deepest, den,
gloom. One by one, the city lights
appeared, the islands a, the mouth Of
harbor slowly vanished, ono moment
could see the large ships, and that par
the bay where we had lately been.
next We were in darkness, cold, damp,
peneirable darkness.
/ know not what the feelings Of
Others were al that moment. my oy
shall never forget. We were at
two miles from the landing, with no
sible means 10 find out which way 10 81
and with as much likelihood Of going