The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-02-16

AIt SSSflIC oil%I II.
This was said in low, weak voice t
Jessie, who called aloud: ''Lower tn
chairw
Slowly along the snowy sides a chair
fastened by many ropes was lowered. /
was some time before the stiff, wounded
man could get into it; but at last it wa
effected. ''How will YOU get up!" h'
said, turning to bis brave deIiverer.
81 will come after you.' was the reply
in cheerful, hearty voice.
| Seeing the chair safely on the way up
she began to climb the stssnss to go up as
I she had come down. She was nearly at
the top, and those above were watching
her with breathless interest, when ano
Their stone gave way, and she fell back.
A cry of horror rose on the air.
9" am aIive!" she cried; "don't fear,
mother. it has only fallen on my legs;
lower the ropes; | can hold on by my
hands,"
With frantic eagerness she tried to rise
but the heavy stones across her limbs
held her pinned fast Awful visions of
dying there foated with fearful distinct
ness through her brain, and, with q wild
cry she tainted.
Struck with admiration at her heroic
conduct, and horror at her accident, one
Of the men placed himself in the chair,
and was lowered to rescue her. w hen
be again came up, with the small, insen-.
sible figure living so still and so pale in
his arms, there was a unanimous murmur
ofsympathy through the now large crowd.
The squir0's son, "oung Ralston, had
tainted again on reach no the mouth Of
TIE quarry, and been carries home; and
and all the rough men and sympathizing
women who had braved the storm TO aid
the man LOST in the quarry, gathered about
the little figure. Gentle hands lifted her
from the arms of her deliverer; and she
was carried to the little cottage. Her
mother, chilled and despairing, laid her
upon the little bed: while Goorgey crept
from bis stool by the fire to gaze at his
sister, whom he had last seen SO full of
life and energy, and who now lay 50 still
and white. the room was cleared of all
but a few sympathiz NJ neighbors; and
tie doctor bent over the little inanifnate
form.
spare my readers the details. Five
weeks later, Jessie sat upon her LITTLE arm
chair, with the consciousness that that was
her place fof tue resi- Of ne. ..Fffosii"1a. Ii
you had raised the shawl that covered her
limbs, you would have seen that both
legs were anputated Just below the kuee.
1t was hard---it was bitter, to have all
her young dreams Of life end in this.
Jesse murmured loddly. Her mother
in vain tried to check the bitter tears that
would fall from the poor child's eyes.
She mad been sitting alone, one afternoon,
full of bitter, melancholy forabodings,
when Q carriage stopped before the win
dow. A young man, wrapped in large
cloak, got out first, then lady. Jessie
knew them. Itwas young Louis Ralstop
and his mother, Mrs. Raiston had been
very kind in sending her messages and
delicac;es. during her illness, but she had
not visited her before. Mrs. Harris was
out--had gone to take home some sowing
and George was with her; SO the visi-
tors, enterlng the little kitchen, found
Jessie alone. They came to her chair, and
stood, one. on each SIDE. For moment,
there was . deep silence; and then, with
great cry, Mrs. Raiston bent over the
child, and then knelt down and buried
her face in Jessie's lap, while her whole
frame shook with convu.sivs sobs. The
young man seemed as powerfully affected,
and unable to speak. AT last, bending
down, he said: any preserver, may God
in heaven bless and comfort you'll Oh,
Jessiel Jessie that this should be your
reward for saving nv life."
"Mr. Ralston," Jessie began
"No, no. call me Louis: we are bro
theirs and sisters now; this has made US
SO. should have been here before; but
the physicians forbade it. / was some
what injured, but am well agar"
"Jessie," said Mrs. Ralston, "if mo-
theirs prayers ar1;. gratitude FOR the saver
Of his sons life can comfort yan, oh, how
truly are they yours! But for You,
should be childless. You will think O
this, ny child, and let it comfort you"
al will! l will! God forgive me fol
complaining when he has let me save {
life" And for the first time, great peace
shone in the child's face.
From that day there was no desire 0
| Jesse's heart that was not granted
Young Ralston himself provided her will
books, pictures anil instruction; and hi
mother let no day pass without visiting
the cottage They woull have been very
GLAD to take tie ch' Ia to their own luxu
rious home: but Jessie refused t, leave
| her mother. The child's whole curren
| of thought had changed since Ralston'
first visited the cottage. With prayer
with hopeful, loving trust in the Almighty
hand that bad seen fit to PROSTATE her
she titled all repinings, aad was truly
grateful for the love and kindness shown
/ her.
| Six years passed on: and again I wisl
to take my readers to the little cottage
The widow is at her sewing in a chai
by the fireside; opposite to her is seate'
Jessie, who looks older than when we las
saw her, and in other respects somewha
changed. The rich, dark hair is gathere
off from her broad, white shoulders
Her face is pale, butvery beautiful in il
/ sweet. loving expression; and the large
soft eyes, shaded by long, dark lashes
are full of intelligence, aud purest ligh
Her slight figure is covered with q sof