The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-10-09
Seleft Tale.
TRIED FOR HIS LIFE.
HOW A FRIEND SAVED ME.

had been away from England three
years. In that time had eaten oyster
suppers in New York, polked at Saratoga
taken lonely and romantic walks at Niaga-
ra, caught delicious white fish in the trans
lucent waters of Machinaw, and shot
buffalo on the prairies of Nebraska. l
might have dug for gold in California or
Columbia had not been taken suddenly
with a great and inexplicable longing to
see again the white cliffs, the green fields
and hedges, and the quaint, pretty, and
most comfortable villages Of dear old Eng
land
The feeling that had driven and kept
me away was gone. When the force that
had sent me off had ceased to act, felt
and obeyed the attraction which drew me
to the land that the Englishman, wherever
he NAV wander, must always be his home.
| can speak now of the reason of this
loag absence My father, who had saved
for me small property, which he hoped
| would increase, had educated me for the
public profession of the law. was read
ing through my terms with the usual in
.dustry, and was not quite insensible to the
Establishments of society, when it was my
misfortune to fall in love. The expression
seems to me an appropriate one.
Isabel Goodwin was certainly one of the
most beautiful Of those who are, in their
own right, queens of society. To the fair
est type of English beauty she added
graees, accomplishments, and boundless
ambition. Without rank or wealth she
held her place, and aspred to rival those
who had both. l was dazzled by her beau
ty; admired her queenly bearing; and
| became her passionate worshipper.
She was fond of admiration. If was
sometimes grieved, jealous, and maddened
at the encouragement she gave to one OF
another of the crowd that fluttered about
her, and burned the incense of fiattery to
her charms, still had sort of pride in
her attractiveness and tender look, q
word of fondness, a sigh, or the soft pres
sure of her hand, would send me home in
toxicated with delight. 1 believed myself
to be the favored lover; the admiration
she received was my triumph.
The best friend had was Arthur Mel
Ion. He was two years older than l wa'
in good position in Government office
with fair prospects of advancement, anc
some expectations beside. We were true
friends. Arthur had saved my life wher
we we're at school together. | lay cramp
ed and paralysed on the bottom OF d deel
pool in the river where we were bathing
We had been trying our skill with othel
boys in diving to see which could remaiI
under the longest; SO, when had disap
peared, and remained for long period, n
one was surprised. They waited to see M.
head shoot above the surface. l lay ol
the bottom, sensible, but powerless.
could see my comrades on the bank
could even hear them talk. The sound
of their voices grew fainter, but was nc
afraid. knew that as soon as they Ut
derstood what was the matter, Author,
no other, would come and save me.
He was already dressing on the banl
when he exclaimed, Where is Harry
His voice sent a thrill to my heart, as | lay
paralysed in every limb, drowning. In
moment more he had stripped off hi
clothes, aud plunged into the pool. II