Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-07-28

ly enough by-ano-Dy IN the PED OF the
Serpenline; but the poor man could not
afford to keep up appearances by so ex-
pensive purchase as pair of skates
would have been to him, and he trusted
to his insignificant appearance to accom-
plish bis fatal purpose unhecded, and
fervidly hoped that bis wife would new
er suspect it had been his own deliber-
ate act.
They had now both approached spot
where a board had been put up TO warn
( the public that it was dangerous 10 ven
ture upon the ice, and each thought this
was the very place to suit his views. So
Villiers put on his skates, and launching
upon the fra agile surface, formed an ele-
giant flourish, like writing master 81 gn-
ing his name for the last time and wish
ing to leave favorable impression of
bis caligraphy-muttering as he glided
along, "St. Leger will pay his debts
with my money. and suppose settle
down and marry; znd wcnder what Ce-
lestine will say to her legacy?" and with
these profound reflections. the rich mar
deliberately described a curve that
brought him to the point where the biit-
tie ice resumed IFS right 10 be called wa
ter, and down he went like locomotive
off the rails; then followed a crash, a
splash. and an eddy. and the waters
seemed 10 have closed forever over Vii
liers and his fortunes Yet not so.-
Lawrence having previously filled his
pocket with stones 10 ensure his sinking.
had flung himself Just at the same mo
M nj upon the ice, and rushing forward
10 deaden his thoughts, and merely ex
claiming half aloud, MAY God provide
for my poor wife and children!" had
reached the perilous edge just at the mo-
menl when Viiliers had disappeared :,
when willing TO save fellow creature
whom he supposed to be an involuntary
victim TO oaccident, be clutched his clothes
with one hand. while seeking with the
other to get firm hold on floating
mass of ice.
Though ready to die Ike a philoso
pher, Villiers was exasperated at any
ones attempting TO save him, and called
out angrily, leave me, you rascal, will
you?"
Thinking the stranger mistook his pur-
pose, and was afraid of being dragged
down by his weight, Lawrence answer
ed, may friend, it's for your good
Hold on-you'll be safe! Never mind
mel wish TO die
Then ensued momenlary but fierce
struggle, which to the beholders. looked
as if they were contending for the block
of ice, through a natural but selfish in
s'inct of self preservation, but in reality
was tie revolt of the man who wanted
to save him. which, owing to Lawrence's
heavy ballast. speedily terminated in his
dragging down his fellow suicide, who
would not be shaken off
Although ii was getting dark, their
simultaneous disappearance had been
observed by some persons on the bank;
the alarm was speedily given, and the
officials of the Humane Society-whose
benevolent mission, something like that
OF the prayers in Homer, is to atone for
and remedy human folly and improvi-
dence-now came with drags, and pres
emily rescued the two inanimate forms
from the icy waters, and speedily remoV
ed them in:o enc of the wards of their
establishment, provided with warm baths
and beds, and all the necessary applian-
ces for coaxing back the fickering spark
of life
After the usual restoratiyes had been
administered, our two self murderers
opened their eyes, and Villiers uttered
sigh of relief, perhaps, while Lawrence
uttered one of disappointment; but this
was only instinctively, as each was in too
dreamy a state tc understand his posi-
ton, and presently the rich man sank 10
sleep on his bed, while the poor man ex-
hausted by the emotions of the day and
a previous long fast, fell into a state Of
insensibility.
1! chanced that great number of ao.
cidents happened that same afternoon,
and so many beds we're in requisiiion,
that it was found necessary to move
the two who had been restored 10 life,
to make way for other patients. The Of
fcials of the establishment searched their
pockets to find their respective homes;
and after having dressed them, called
for cab to send them home under the
care of one of the male nurses.
But it chsnced that the clothes, after
being dried, had been placed in one heap
between the two beds, and as there was
no distinctive mark by which it was pos
siDle to distinguish the rich man from
the poor clerk when both were swaddled
in flannel wrappers, the attendants dress
ed Viliers in Lawrence's shabby clothes
and sttired Lawrence in the cambria
shirt and broadcloath of the finest tex
ture, that formed his fellow sinners cost
ly garments. The two living bundles of
humanity were then slowed away in the
cab. and their keepers ordered the coach. |