The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-05-27
say you had been courting me, in that liz.
tie speech of YOURS

i tSSSH "a
Three long years." replied Charles.
Neatly and accurately quoted, Charley
But you know my cousin Rachel was on
y won after Eve years courtship. You
don't suppose | am going to rate myself
any cheaper than she did, do youl Sup
pose We drop this tiresoue subject for
two years; perhaps by that time may be
able to work myself up to the falling in
love point-there is no knowing what
wonders time may effect
1T you are not in love now, you never
will be- returned Charles, sturdily; sand
l will have my answer now or never
Never, then laughed Susy. But she
had gone step too far. Her often
severely tried lover was now too much in
earnest to bear her trifiDg any longer.
Never, be it, then!' be cried; and seiz-
ing bis hat, be strobe from the room.
Susy listened to his receding footsteps
with dismay. Had, she, indeed, by her
incorrigibly love of coquetry, lost himl-
1t smote her to the soul to think so. As
she heard him open the front door, i'm
pelled by feeling of despair, she raised
the window-sash, and, leaning forward,
whispered.
Charley, Charley, you will be at tho
boat tomorrow to bid me good-by, won t
youl Surely We are still friends!'
As she spoke, she tore rose from her
bosom and threw it to him. 1t lodged on
his arm, but be brushed it away, as tho
it had been poison, and passed on without
looking up.
Susy spent the rest of that day in tears.
Early the next morning the hustle of de-
parture began. Susy was going to ac-
company her widowed and invalid moth
er on a trip for her health.
As they reached the wharf and de-
scepded from the carriage, Susy's eyes
made themselves busy searching for ore
wished for face; but it was nowhere to be
seen.
The steamboat lay painting and putting,
seemingly impatient to be let loose. Su-
sys mother, aided by the servant-man
who accompanied them, had already eros
sed the gang.way which lay between the
wharf and the boat, and Susy was reluct-
antly following. when the so und of voice
behind her-tbe very voice she was long
ing to hear-startIed her. She turned
to look round, missing her footing, fell
into the water.
Another instant, and Charles had
thrown off his coat, and calling out loud
ly, Tell the captain not to allow the
wheel to stir. and to lower me a roper he
sprang into the river. But of her whom
he was risking bis life to save, be was un-
able to perceive any trace.
Judging that the current of the river
might have carried her a little forward
he swan around the wheel, but still be
saw her not, and despair seized his heart
as he coDjectured that she might be un-
der the boat He strained his eyes to
see through the water, and at length dis
cerned, far below the surface, what seem
ed the end of floating garment lodged
between the wheel and the rounded bot.
tom of the boat.
If this were indeed the unfortunate girl
the least movement of the wheel must ev-
identity crush her, and Charles. in his ter
ror, fancied it was already beginning to
turn. He dived and clutched at the gar
ment. but missed it. He rose painting
and almost exhausted; but scarcely wait
ing to get breath, he again plunged be.
low. This time his efforts were reward
ed with success, at least SO far that be was
able to bring Susy's form to the surface
of the water; but she seemed totally life
less.
Charles was now SO nearly exhausted
that be had only sufficient presence Of
mind left to clasp Susy convulsiuely to
him while be kept himself aaoat by bold
ing on the wheel
But this, his last hope of support, SEEM
ed also to fail him soon, as he perceived
that it was now really beginning to turn
slowly round. By desperate effort be
struck his foot against one of the paddle:
SO as to push himself as far from the dan
ger as possible. As be did SO something
touched his head, and his haud grasped q
rope. New life seemed now infused into
him. He gathered all his energies, ard
fastened the rope round Susy's waist
consciousness then entirely forsook him
10 the meantime the witnesses Of the
scene, after giving Charles Instructions
to the captain, had watched his 'truggeies
and exertions with breathless interest,"
The friendly rope had been flung to hin
again and again. but in the excite ment 0
bis feelings. and his semi.insensibility. h'
/ had been incapable of availing himself o
the offered aid.
At last, perceiying that he was quite
exhausted, and must inevitably soon le
90 his bold on the wheel, and then prob
ably sink to rise no more, the captalt
iud ged it best to run the risk OF moving
of, so that q small boat could be sent to
the rescue. The result of this hazardous
experiment was successful. Susy wa
raised by means Of a rope, and boa
reached Charles iD time to save him also
!. Both sufferers were taken on boar'
the steamboat, which now rapidly moved
off to m AXE up for lost time.
i And thus, when our hero regained MI
q aWN