The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-03-03

time, and he would be drowned. death
stared him in the facs with scarcely possi-
biity Of escape. His life then passed 10
rapid view before him, his errors stood ID
strong array, and he wished for life, that DO
might atone, as far 40 he could, before II was
too late.
He was to die, and bitterly he reproached
himself for his misdoeds, which he would
perhaps not have thought of under better
circumstances, so true it is nthe enjoyment
of life, and strength, and prosperity, men
brighter and more joyous world in Heaven.
Then, again, his childhood-his fathers
home-his old play grounds his sohool-m mate
and oh his mother. he remembered laying
his head upon HE mothers bosom In his hours
Of childish sorrow-her soothing caresses--
her kindly words-her kiss OF love, oil, all
rushed upon his almost msddened brain, and
then--hot gushing tears flowed freely - these
cherished images came to his mind, and he
exclaimed aloud, so, mother mother" il
there man in the civilised world whose soul
does not at times cling with child-like sim
plcity to the memory Of q mothers love; re-
membering q mothers embrace-her deep
care and affection that wellsd up from her
very hearth Mine does, and love and re-
spect woman for my mothers sake, as we'll
a. my own.
AT times be felt that there was no hope
He was to die here where even his body might
not be found, and his death might remain q
mystery. But nature struggled by instinct
for self-pressrvation, and he resolved to keep
up as long as his strength to do 90 remained.
lie commended himself to his Maker, prayed
that his sins might be forgiven, and II God
ordained that he should thus perish, he hoped
his transgressions might not debsr him from
all mercy in Heaven. Mrickle, trickle, came
the little rills into his tomb, slowly but sure
ly the water arose, till at length it reached
his chin--his mouth-and be Bent bis head
backward TO be able to breathe. he sunk
into state Of half Inconsistencies. The
rain ct length csased, tho weary, wretched
hours passed on, and he Was still alive, when
by looking upwards toward the sky he was
conscious that daylight was appearing. For
the FIRST time hope bssmed in bis heart--he
might be saved-and he shouted With oil his
strength. It was NOS long before be heard
human voice exolaim, "Aowly Virgin what's
that?"
s'It's me--it's me--I'm in the shaft--for
the love of God help me out--f'm almost dead
help me out l" shouted the drowning man
and face peered cautiously oyer the brink
of the shaft into the darkness below.
'sMother Of Saints, how did you get there,
and who are you ?" replied the man above.
"Pm Doctor --; get ropes and haul
me out -Pm:nearlytperished and cannot stand
it long,"
II prcvidentially happened that tho honest
Irishman Vas passing thus early when he
heard the "voics from below" and, though
much frightened, he ran to the nearest cabin,
and alarming tho family, the cords were in
stantly taken from tho bedstead, and rushing
to the shaft they let down the rope, which,
with difficulty, the Doctor fastened around
him; but before be was half way mp, the
sreacherous rope broke, and he was once
more immersed in the most hydropathic state.
Doubling the cord, . second trial brought
the Doctor into the sswide, wido worlds .
wet, II not wise man. He was saved, and
has escbewed hot 'potheen" from that very
day.