The Portland daily press., 1865-07-22
PORTLAND, SATURDAY MORNING, JULY o. 1865.

| DrO0eftV L gave lLJO w oAnCA . Cudi ~, Wlbu
structions how to dispose of it. When mat
ters had been thus arranged, it was well to-
wards evening, and taking light cane in my
hand walked out for breath of fresh air.
Not far from the camp were Morgan's Falls,
wild, romantic spot, where the water of the
river tumbled over huge bed of broken rocks
and towards this spot bent my steps. Just
above the falls was bridge of logs, from
which could be obtained one of the grandest
scenes that ever blessed the eye of an artist
AS | reached the summit Of an eminence near
the falls 4 saw woman and a child standing
! upon the bridge; but l lost sight of them for a
time as descended into the shrubbery. Twas
4 just emerging from the thicket, when a sharp
piercing cry of agony broke upon my ear.
/ sprang to the bridge, and there saw the wo-
man-alonel a
She was wringing her hands and shrieking
like crazy creature. was not many sec
/ onds in comprehending the truth. Below the
bridge, floating on the troubled waters l saw
the child, its spreading garments buoying itup;
and could hear the tiny voice calling, Mann
| ma Mammal
There was not moment to lose. The child
was going nearer and nearer the fals--nearer
and nearer to its death 1t was fearful risk
for me; for the chances were that should be
taken over into the kissing, boiling surge be-
low the rocks. But what was the risk to me
| II ultu LII Tie river, l. SQOulQ not
stand in the way of Major Farwells bullet
| had better thousand times give up my life
thus than throw it away in the duel. The wo-
| man saw me, and appealed to me for help; but
my coat was off before she discovered me, and
in moment was in the water, striking out
with all my power a,f8mr
The child was half way from the bridge to
the falls when / started; but / swan rapidly,
and caught it just at the point where the wa
ters began to gather for the plunge. 1t was a
/ girl, not more than three of four years old.
with bright golden ringlets, large blue eyes,
and face like a cherub. She clasped her lit
tie arms about my neck, and called me Papa.
u, papa, papa-goOd papa-don't let Kitty
go into the wicked place down therer
With all my might held up the child, and
struck for the shore; but it was not to be.
had been drawn into the swift current, and no
mortal could have withstood it. The pros
poets of the morrow took from all fears OF the
| present, and L was more calm and collected
than might otherwise have been. As soon
as realized that I must go over the falls
| turned every thought to saving 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 swifter =
the roar of the mad waters growing louder
and louderl until at length the edge was
shielding it as well as / could, and in mo-
ment more my eyes were closed beneath the
boiling flood. Down-down-down then
around like top-then away over bed of
smooth rocks; and when finally opened my
eyes | saw the shore not far of, and quickly
discovered that could stand upon my feet,
with my head out of water
Preached the shore just as three or four sol
dlers came down the mule path, and they help
ed me to a bed of moss, and took the child
from my arms. r 'rl
Was the child safe? aatsr
They told me yes. looked up and saw the
cherub smile, and then my brain wlirled, as it
had whirled in the flood, and sank into the
strong arms Of one of my men, quite dizzy
and faint.
When l came to myself was upon nv own
bed, and Walker and my orderly were by nv
side. started up and looked around and
was not long in remembering what had hap
pened. My very first inquiry was for the child
had saved.
~The nurse took it away" replied my order
ly, land it was alive and well.n
Whose child was it ?"
But neither knew. The woman who had it
in charge was stranger, and anxiety on my
account had prevented their asking her many
questions.
1t was now eight o'clock, and had been in
my quarters an hour. / arose, feeling quite
sore, and my left arm was SO lame that could
not lift it. / took little warm wine, and ate
light supper, and by ten O'Clock felt quite
strong. .-.-s.... ..saYe vst
In the morning felt sore and stiff, and was
forced to hang my left arm in a sling. Walker,
when he came, suggested that the duel be put
off; but would listen to no such proposition
A few glasses of wine made me feel better,
and believed my right hand would be steady
enough.
At halfpast 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 the falls. felt somewhat fatigued when
1 reached the place, and was forced to call on
| my second for his whiskey-hask. In little
while the major and the adjutant made their
appearance, and suggested to Walker that
would like to have the affair over as quickly as
possible. | was growing weak and shaky,
though | did not tell him so. He had opened
the pistol-case, and was taking out the weap-
ons when Mr. Bowker approached us.
'Gentlemen,' he said, Major Farwell wishes
to speak before we proceed any further
Il am ready to listen,' replied; sonly let
him be as brief as possible ..ae
Presently the major came towards me.
Captain he said, with perceptible tremu-
l0usness in his tone, Il have challenged you,
and the arrangements are all made. / will
stand where am and you may fire at me-
You mean we will exchange shots, said 1.
No, he returned, shaking his head, 4 can
not fire at you lG Al Ila4tas h4
But, sir, what means this p 1 cried in
amazement. rsrr
"Do you not klowp he asked, seeming
equally amazed.
assured him did not. sX.Alf
You saved human life last night
Yes; / saved a cherub.'
DO you know whose cherub it was {?
told him had not the least idea.
With quick movement he advanced and
caught my hand ; na
Captain Willet,' he exclaimed, with strong
emotion, that child was mine You NAV
have your shot, but would rather die thou
sand deaths than lift my hand against the
preserver of my precious darling
tried to make some reply, but could not
speak coherently. had been growing weak
er and weaker, and my head was whirlng, and
the sound of rushing, kissing waters rung in
my ears a at
'Ah, the ordeal at the falls was too much for
nmP lheard Walker say, as he caught me in
his arms ..slago7l -
"Captain-Ca -forgive me - Pardon
me9 was all TO blame
SO heard the major speak. / released his
hand and tried to smile.
was sick for a long time, but had the best
and tenderest of nursing Mrs. Farwell was
IKE mother, or like loving sister, to me,
ana the MAJOR was not jealous. And when
companion. And as she wound her tinny
arms atound my neck, and pressed her warm
| lips to my bearded cheek, she said she loved
me very much, and that must be her sother
papa. Sc asr93