Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1860-11-17

the young man began to make for the
shore, which he gained.
Two days after, the following annouce.
ment appeared in the village Gazette:
A most lamentable occurrence took place
on - evening. A young law student
named Clifford, will known in this vicinity,
accompanied young man named Wilson
in boat ride up the river A sudden
gust upset the boat and both were plunged
into the water. Wilson made his escape
by swimming, but his companion found
watery grave.
the dream Of happiness Of Helena
Heath was now at an end. With all the
poignant grief that the. susceptible heart
can feel, she lamened the sad fate Of her
lover, while she could not repress the
chaSrin she fel. at the idea that some i'd
ven,urous favorite Of her father would
usurp the pre-eminence ,ha. she had Civ,
EN- him.
Nearly two years passed, and Helena
Heath still remained unmarried. Old
Heath had selected young Wilson for his
son'in law, and he sought 10 commend
him 10 his daughter: but, meeting with
Indifference and denial, he resolved to Sc
lect from among the large circle of the
hardy and athletic young the one whose
feais were the greatest and compel her
to receive him as her lord.
At last the day came for the allotted
trial. and to the spot marked out for rem
devious many an eager asprant came
Among these was the newly arrived set.
tier, who had often made the sinewy and
bold look pali.d with envy at his success
Ih' first trial was that of leaping. One
by one the competitors joined in, until
perfect Ajax in limb reached seventeen
feet. This settled the question; still, not
withstanding this proof of his prowess, the
old hunter seemed dissatisfied at the idea
Of marrying his daughter to such stran-
ger he resolved to become better acquaint
ed with his strength aad skill. and sud
denly turning to his rivals, he said:
"Come boys, lets have q little rife
practice--two shots apiece, remember"
panied nail was driven into q tree.
The heroes Of the other exercises made
trial, but were wide from tho nails head.
The stranger rubbed his hands, and seiz-
ing rife, took rapid aim The nail was
driven into the tree
The unknown mavksman once more
fired; the nail S head was bent double
This was more than the rival, who was no
ether than young Wilson, could bear, aud
he walked of
Al! congratulations wcrs offered the
lucky victor Old Gabriel Heath placed
the hand If the reluctant Helena in his
but she still treasured the memory Of him
whom she had so admired. and who had
opened her mind to the world of intellec.
tual beauty, demonstrated agains. her far.
theirs choice to no purpose
For some tims the victor visited the
abode of the old hunter, chated with him,
and walked with the daughter. They
talked long and frequently together, and
he spoke in glowing terms Of his love for
her. She started at this, for the image of
her lost lover seemed to trss and rebuke
her.
"You love another, then ?" be said
" Remember tia, won you by my
prowess.'
These words in some tones might have
made her indignant, but now they only
tended to dissipate her reserve, as she re-
Piled:
"Wbat you have said is true. I owe
the richest aud deepes, debt to another,
who translated for me the mysterious
teachings Of nature. | ought to love him,
and though he is forever lost to me, yet
while exist will live for no other but
him"
While she was thus speaking, the hun
ter was regarding ner with the same cur
ious expression, which hardly became a
rejected lover. She was turning from
him, when he detained her, and said:
This waa the young lawyer, Clifford,
vas it not?'
4" 1t was,' she replied, looking in his
face, where the smile had settled into
anxiety.
" Blessing on you for that wordr' he
cried. " | am the long lost one--the res
cued and the redeemed!'
1t was indeed young Clifford, who
through an unseen and mysterious provi.
dencr, had not been drowned, but was
saved from ~atery grave by fisherman,
whose kind care had restored him to life
and strength.
He told her how he had returned to the
village just in time to hear Of the wagers
Of prowess for her hand; and, confiden.
that he should lie brought to her again,
he dissembled himself and gained the
victory.
1t is needless to say the JOY Of meeting
him Of whom he supposed himself the
murderer, was SO great, that Wilson
thought but little Of the refusal that he
ultiaately received from Helena. He
could hardly believe his eyes until the
generous Clifford took his hand and faith.
fully promised never to reveal the circum.
stance Of the boat ride, and iorgave him