The mountain Democrat., 1863-07-25
LOVE II a DIVlNe-RELl..


1t was on Saturday afternoon, which
was q holiday al our office in the city (al-
though the Easterly closing Movement
was not so much as heard Of at that time
and was spending i, in the improvement
of my mind st the Polytechnic. | had
sat in that stately hall, which is some
thing between n theatre and a disS, citing
room, to tehold the wonders of science;
had guzed upon that wondrouS apparatus
f,r learning to swim upon dry land until
my limbs were on the point Of invOlunta-
rily striking out for an imaginary shore;
and had guzed upon the electrical eel to
repletion, when great bell was rung and
a SonOruus voice exclaimed:
Experiments connected with the di.
wing bell.
Upon this, great rush was made from
all parts of the building to that circular
pond Of clear green water, the excessive
depth of which has always been marvel
To MT. Into whose cellars does il deSccnd?
What sewers does it forever threaten with
untinely hoShingy From what fountains
does it pelluciI waves arise
Then the intrepid diver made his toilet
in the presence Of the company, being
loaded with heavy weights, as though he
were some desperate criminal, and having
on his face helmet Fixed, to be presently
screwed round by the assistants, a pro-
creding which appeared to the unscienlitic
eye like wringlng his neck. Covered with
! pOIypi in the shape of India rubber tu.
hing, this monster tadpOlr clumsily de.
Sceuded by aD iron ladder into the pond,
the bottom Of which was always strcwed
with hall.pencr; alter these We could dim
, ly see him waddle aud stuop, more inhr-
Gus even than before by the watrrv me
-IOrrShoI tened at right angles to
himself exaggerated, diSpropoI toned aud
slow the mOst horrible picture Of cupid
ity the mind is capable Of cOnceivIng. -
Above him rose large noisy bubbles; and
now aud then he would emerge a. 10 hi>
bead aud shoulders, aud tap his hellnet
With the half pence, to let us know-aS
though We had not watched is hOrrid
movements al along that lie had picked
them up.
Incredible as it may appear, was at
tracted tow ard this uuphibious pursuit Of
his; felt as though too should like TO
explore those airlesS depths, and make my
business in those mighty waters. When
lie came out at last, like a two trunkcd
sea elephant, and bowed in his repuisive
manner TO the spectators. | was almost
afraid that lie was going to Offer any lady
or gent the loan OF the apparatus. was
infinitely relieved when | saw it placed
away, in cupboard, for now no unnat
ural temptation
Any lady ot gent for the diving bell 2
inquired the sonUruus voice. The ina.
chine is now about to make descent
My heart came into my mouth and then
retired about half Nay down my throat,
as should judge. My extrenities be
came cold as Ice, MS ga Jed out Stop
minute; take Inc in, please do
The crowd that SUI rounded the machine
parted tu lett aud light, to let me pass.
There was not the least hurry uf course,
but ir had not spoken at once should
not have done 80 at all. ! was the first
vuiunteer for this extraordinary rnter-
pri>r, and an object Vi great public i'll
ttIe>t.
4 Wouldn't do it myself for 'undrch
pounds, observed n gentleman, Tor the
purpose Of rc.as>uIing me. | conclude
and IIiend of his rep led:
M. no. yet for two; it's what ! call
Gool'ardy.
passed the little barrier; I gave the
manager the requisite shifting for the sub
marine passage, ard then ciept under
the great google eyed bell amid quite n
popular ovation. A narrow seat ran
around the interior Of the machine the
atmosphere seemed close. even aS il was,
aud the hight was dim. although We we've
as yet in the Iand Of the living. per
ceiv,d, however, shining substance im-
mcdiairIy Opposite t0 me which turned
out t. he IA b"y covered with buttons
uige Uf the establishment, whose dreadful
lradr it " as to drscend, don't know how
many times day. in company with sub
auurou+ amateurs. lie had rope in his
hand that hung down from the top Of the
hell, and which fnndlv hoped communi.
Gated with the sci, ntitic authorities, 81
that we could be hoi>tcd up again at mo.
ment'$ notice, by signal; but this conf
dence was entirely misplaced. A certain
like the top ola sink was the sole or
namcnt Of the apartment in which We
were; and through this was to come the
air we breathed.
To say that would gladly have got out
again. and sacrificed my shilling. is to give
very feeble idea Of my state Of repent.
ance. would gladly have given forty
shillingS TO be once more gazing-under
the lisht Of heavcn-at the least remark
able object of interest in the institution
All the crimes had ever committed du.
ring a checkered life seemed tn crowd IN
upon my reflections. made the most
ardent resolutions for conducting myself
for the future after different faShinn-if
should only he permitted to issue alive
ont Of that bell. 1t is true that there was
vet time for me TO 10 So for the director
was still footing for passengers, ut had
not the moral courage for such step as
this.
I could not have descended amid the
same crowd which had applaudcd my in
trcpidiiy, to experience its Scornful ieers
| perceived the same feelings were actua.
ting two other individuals who now Joined
US; they. too, cast wiStful glances at the
mouth Of the bell, and were evidently con-
tempaiing in their minds the most salient
points in their past wicked lives.
Had better put up your legs, gentle
men, observed the page. There will then
be less chance Of falling out at the bot
tom, when we get under the water
Less chance!' gasped I, as I FASTENED
to obey this suggestion. DO you mean
to say that there is the least chance at
allf' =
We'll, you must sit quite still. of course,
or there's no knowing what may happen.
You will be safe enough like this
We had all got our feet in each others