The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1865-07-22
Nc SO

dest scenes that ever blessed the eye Of
an artist. AS reached the summit Of
an emincnce near the falls, I saw wo
man and child standing upon the
bridge but lost sight of them for
time as decended into the shrubbery.
[ was just emerging from the tAckct,
when sharp piercing cry Of agony
broke upon my ears. sprang to the
bridge, and there saw the woman-
alone. She was wringing her hands,
and shrieking like a crazy creature.
was not many seconds in comprohen-
ding the truth. Below the bridge, feat
ing away, upon the troubled water
saw the child, its spreading garments
buoying it up, and could hear the tin
ny voice calling, "Mamma, mamma !"
There was not moment to lose. The
child was gong nearer and nearer the
falls-nearer and nearer it, death 1t
was fearful risk for me for the chan
ces were that | should be taken over in.
to the Kissing boiling surge below the
rocks. But what was the risk t. me
then III died in the river, should
not stand in the way of Major Farwells
bullets. had better thousand times
give up my life thus, than throw it away
il the ducl. The woman saw me aud
appealed TO Inc for help; but my coat
was of before she had discovered me,
and in moment m)ro I was in the wa
ter, striking out with all my power.
The child was halt way from the
bridge to the falls when | started but
swan rapidly, and caught it just as it
had reached the point where the waters
began 10 gather for the plunge. Itwas
a girl not more than that three OF four
years old, with bright golden ringots !;
large blue eyes and face like a cherub.
She clasped her arms about my meek,
and called me "papa.'
80, papa, papa, good papa, don't let
Kitty 20 into that wicked place down
there -
With all my might [ held up the
child and struck for the shore but it
was not to be. 1t had been drawn into
the swift current and no mortal could
have with stood it. The prospect of the
morrow took from me ali fears Of the
present, and [ was more calm and col
lected than | might otherwise have beer
As soon as | realized that | must 60 ovel
the falls | turned every thought to sav.
ing the child for, even in those few
short moments, the little darling had
won strangely and deeply upon my
love.
Nearer and nearer; swifter and swf.
ter; the roar Of the mad waters growing
louder and louder, until at length the
edge was reached. Close to my bosom
| bore the child, shielding it as we'll as
could and in a moment more my eyes
were inclosed beneath to boiling food
Down, down; down then afonnd like a
top then away over a bed Of smooth
rocks; and when | finally opened my
eyes | saw the shore not far off, aud
quickly discovered that [ could stand
upon my feet with my head out of the
water.
| reached the shore just as three OF
four soldiers came down from the mule
path, and they helped me to a bed Of
moss, and took the child from my arms.
Was the child safe?
They told me yes 1 looked up aud
saw the cherub smile; and then my
brain Yhirlcd in the food, ana | sank
Into the arms Of one of my men, dizzy
and faint.
When | came to myself | was upon
my own bed, and Walker and my or
derly were by my side. | started up and
looked around, and was not long in re
memberiug what had happened. Ny
first inquiry was for the child | had
saved.
"The nurse took it away replied ms
orderly, "and it was alive aud we'll"
'Whose child was It %
But neither Walker nor the orderly
knew. The woman who halit in charge
was stranger, and anxiety upon my ac
count had prevented their asking hol
any questions,
1t was now eight o'clock, and | had
been in my quarters an hour. | aros e
feeling quite sore, and my left arm was
SO lame that could not lift it 1 took
little warm wine, aud ate a light sup
per, aud by ten o'clock l felt quite
strong.
In the morning felt sore and stiff
aud was forced to hang my arm in a
sling. Walker. when he came, sugges
ted that the duel be put off but / would
listen 10 no such proposition. A few
glasses of wine made me feel better, aud
believed my right hand would be
steady enough. At half past six We
took our pistols and started for the scene
of action, which was in a secluded spot
on the river, about half mile below tue
falls. felt somewhat iatigued when |
reached the place, and was forced to call
upon my second for his whiskey flask
Iu little while the major aud the adiu.
taut made their appearance, aud | sug.
gested to Walker that | would like to
] har n n Hi 4 |