The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-11-03

their hearts, when gazing down tha
black abyss they saw the grave that had
been theirs but for the efforts of that pale
faced girl.
Oh, how they crowded around hel
with their warm admiration-ho enthu.
siastically they thanked and praised hel
for what she had done what fervent
blessings they called down upon her
head Women's beautiful faces stream
ed with tears at the thought of her brave
daring and swarthy mems hearts beat
quicker and stronger as, in fancy, they
saw her tossing out on frail raft, at the
mercy of that furious river, to save them
from destruction.
The old weather-b beaten engineer, who
was scarcely ever seen exhibiting emo
ton at anything, crowded his way to
Rachel's side, and taking her hands in
both of his, he looked into her face with
tear in either eye.
God bless you p he uttered impetu-
ously, and then rushed away and was
lost in the crowd
The passengers were to return to Hart
stein; and very earnestly they besought
Rachel to 60 with them and remain until
morning, when the swollen waters would
have abated, and the passage of the riv-
might be made in safety.
No, said she, " that cannot be. !
have little sister at home, and now that
| have done all l could, my duty lies
with her. God helping me, l shall cross
the stream once more"
At this juncture fne-looking young
man, wearing the undress uniform of a
lieutenant in the navy, stepped forward,
and removing his cap, said
Lady, with all due respect. declare
that if you cross Mad River tonight, ]
shall go with you l have been on the
water occasionally, and think l can be oi
some assistance in your voyage. Will
you trust me 20
Rachel gazed moment into the noble
face of the young lieutenant, and offering
him her hand, said, simply
g can trust you"
And so through the cheers and accla.
nations Of the people she had saved from
death, Rachel and her companion moved
away.
Propelled by the arm of Lieutenant
Rochmont, the raft sped swiftly across
the river and in less than an hour Rach.
ell held her sister in her arms, while
Rochmont stood gazing admiringly upon
the group.
The lieutenant remained in the cottage
until after breakfast the next morning
and then he babe the inmates reluctan
! farewell.
| About a week after the night of peril
while Rachel was sitting with her pa
rents and little Grace around Cheerful
I fire, there was knock at the door, anc
the lawyerof Hartstein entered the room
He bore large paper sealed with an Off
cial seal, and placing it in Rachel
| hands bade her examine it. The sur
prise of the girl may be imagined, whel
she found that it was deed. securing I,
her and her heirs forever, the fine o,d es
tate of Cedarwood, three miles below
Hartstein, and formerly the residence 0
Governor Moreton Below the seal wa
inscribed these words:
An offering of gratitude from ffteel
hundred persons whose lives Rache
Wharton preserved from death on tn
night of Nov. 28th, 1876"
Shortly after the removal of Rache
and her friends to Cedarwood, Lieuten
ant Rochemont called to renew his ac
quainlance with her, and SO faithfully diC
he do this, that before the close of th
winter he led Rachel Wharton to tn
altar.