Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-05-15

ana laughing stock too long wanted to
conquer somebody or something. Some ad.
venture or hair-breadth escape / quite pant.
ca ior' An accident unexpectedly did it ali
ior me. There was q little stream we often
sailed upon, with beautiful little wooded
Island in & o centre. The trees upon this
island in one place interlaced in a perfect
arch with those of the opposite bank. 1t
occurred to me one day, and proposed it at
once to Lucy, that should climb the trees,
Chamber along the arching boughs and de-
sccnd on the opposite side There was
enough danger in the adventure to give it
zest. | was surprised to hear Lucy oppose
II. Nothing ever seemed to give her fear
ior herself; why should she trcmble. as she
evidently did, ut the trihing thing was
proposing She told me afterwards that
she was seized with an unaccountnble aprre-
hension-a sort of presentiment | SUPPOSE.
Ihe ascent was easy enough, and | was
just about to pass from the tree had ns-
cended to the branch of an elm, and from
TINS to an oak, by which | could descend .
ana was exulting over the success of nv
ieat, when, as threw my weight upon the
Dough, 1t snapped. bent, and was suddenly
sent swinging through the air alta height Of
iorty feet. AT the same instant heard
Lucy scream, and giving hasty glance
,,l uownward saw her sinking upon the ground.
Inc branch upon which | was suspended
had partially broken at a joint, and was
held by what appeared to me no more than
its mere bark had slipped down the full
length OF the pendant branch, and nv onlv
mold was by my hands. The position was
one that could not be retained many mo.
ments, even if this broken bough had
strength to sustain me. My muscles and
sinews grew swollen and strained. Nv
strength was gradually escaping from nv
limbs. felt that my hour was come.
Inc river was shallow beneath me and ito
oed rocky If fell, should be dashed to
pieces, ana to climb up the branch seemed
Impossible, when the least strain threatened
W snap 1t entirely off, and send me plunr,n,
through the air. | closed nv ewes and
tried to think of death. Nv position had
become 2 so painful that tried to gain suC
lcieht resolution to loose my hold and go
1t once end my suspense and agony.
ooked down to take my last look at Lucv, |
Ter hands were clasped, and her pale face
'ieamed through her dishevelled tresses.-
ne sight OF her nerved me to exertion.
ooked up along the branch to which clung.
I was evidently frner than | had at first
imposed. 1t was possible that | could
ira" myself up. The hope gave me cour-
ge. began cautiously to ascend Inces-
anu practice in gymnasium had given Inc
APerlence In this mode Of climbing, and
esperation gave me unnatural strength
nd power OF endurance.
gained confidence as [ proceeded. The
imb surgtd and swayed with nv exertions
> II every Instant its fraiI limb would sew,
r. but 1t held out SO long that began to
Jok upon myself as past danger. At last
ouId clasp my knees to the limb, and in n
w moments more, reached and threw NY
Ell upon another branch-safel
could see that Lucy had fainted-so [
ipldly descended and flew to her side. A
tile water restored her-and she began to
Iugh and weep alternately. We went i
ONE together, with my arm around her ,
aist She was silent and different from
nat had ever seen her before ,
somehow, Lucy was not the same to me :
TER tins event. She stopped teazing me. .
a1 she grown afraid of mel Scarcely. for :
e took long walks together, grew mutual :
fond OF moonlight, (what more significant .
gh') and read the poets together. :
wound my arms around her waist one ;
~ and looked down in her eyes. .Lucv,' a
i'd |, shall it be sol' .
Lucy knew what meant, if the readers ,
not Lucy said it might be; and 50 | :
w ~" "h''hr' rn'in" rnr cousin Incy.