The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-12-04
WooDsFIELD MONROE COUNTY, OHIO, DECEMBER A, 1866


On certain day we all took walk or
Goat Island, when mother dropped hel
parasol, and it slid down the bank some
fifteen or twenty feet, and out of reach
Mr.. Harrison descended the bank after
it, and, though he used proper precau.
tions, his foot slipped on the treacherous
soil, as he was returning, and he slid
down to the very verge Of the precipice
I expected nothing else than to see him
go over and be dashed to pieces On the
rocks hundred feet below; but though
the other three ladies screamed, | Gid
not. You see I was pretty thoroughly
drilled by this time. However, as Mr.
Harrison neared the edge of the precipice
he threw out his right hand-stIll hold
| ing the parasol In his left-and seized
the upturned roots of tree which lean.
ed over the chasm. The tree shook yio-
lently under the sudden shock, and the
roots began to tear themselves out of the
thin soil, slowly and steadily, under the
influence of his superadded weight. In
few minutes more it would inevitably
give way and then Mr. Harrison would
be killed. | knew my face was pale, and
that was terribly frightened; but lean
ed forward and spoke to him:
"Tell ne what to do"
"Take all the ladies shawls, skirts, and
any other articles of dress that you can
spare, and which are strong enough-cut
them in strong strips, then tie them firm
ly together, and make rope"
I obeyed as calmly as I knew he would
have done, but none the less expeditions
ly on that account, be very sure. He
continued speaking te me at intervals
while 1 was doing his bidding, and he
spoke as deliberately as if he stood in
safety by my side.
"Your calmness is quite charming Miss
Monroe" said he; "be sure and make the
knots tight. | Judge that this tree may
be relied ON with perfect confidence for
ten or fifteen minutes yet. Your rope is
long enough now, l think. That's it,
All right now. Do nothing but hold
fast and stand still, ladies, and l will
come up to YOU"
He drew himself up, hand over hand,
with extreme caution, and was saved
My mothers parasol was restored to her
with courtly bow, and he brushed the
dust from his clothes and walked away
with US. I walked by his side; but he
made no reference to the peril just passed.
That evening, however, as we sat oD
the piazzao of the hotel where it overlooks
the river-how we'll [ remember the
rushing sound of the waters down below
he said:
aWe are alone now, Miss Monroe, and
I can thank you for saving my life, with
out offense to.the other ladies'
1t was too dark out there for him TO
see the blush of delight that went over
my face at these words. How much they
meant to me!
81 knew was as good as saved" said
he, "when l saw you standing with tight
ly hands and your upper lip pressed by
your shining teeth, while Belle and the
other ladies were trying to drown the roar
of old Niagara with their shrieks. 1 new
er saw one Of your sex before who had
the control over herself which you mani
tested to day. If had seen such an
exhibition anywhere it would naturally
have awakened my admiration; but when
it happened to be an exhibition in which
my own life or death was concerned, you
may imagine my feelings
The tone in which he uttered these
words was SO tender and true-it said SO
plainly that he would gladly devote all
his future life to mel But, though tone
and manner said this, his words did not
say it, and I knew the reason. He be-
lieyed me already betrothed.
], William Willis was the son Of New
York merchant who had been school
mate with my father, 1t was my father
wish that we should be married. / loved
my father, and was anxious to be pleased
with his friends son. Young Willis had
been a frequent guest with us, and many
considered US already betrothed. He was
an agreeable companion in the parlor, a
good dancer, and all that; but1 cared
more for one look of Joseph Harrison S
honest gray eyes than | did for William
Willis whole composition.
According to a previous appointment,
Mr.. Willis came to the Falls during our
stay. He arrived on the evening Of the
day that witnessed Mr.. Harrison's mar
row escape from death; he came out upon
the piazza where we sat, that evening g,and
we shook hands.
The gentlemen were slightly acquaint-
ed, but it was plain Mr.. Harrison did not
like Mr. Willis much; and with a playful
"Ich muse aceggehen, to ne, he rose and
went into the ballroom, politely offering
his seat to Mr.. Willis.
Several days passed. While actually
in the position as rival to Mr.. Willis,
Mr.. Harrison by no means permitted him.
self to act as if he were such. He was
very courteousto Mr.. Willis, and quietly
yielding all preferences relating to me
and society. He seemed, however, to be
studying us-weighing the evidence Of
regard between us-trying to form con-
clusion as to the probable extent of our
relations matrimony ward. OH it did
seem to me asthoush he might--so brave
a man as he was--plain!y put few ques-
tions to me on the subject I would
quickly have assured him how little Mr.
Willis was to me. 7slt aa
AT last, I had nearly made up nay mind
to desperate thing; nothing less, indeed
than to seek the intercession Of his cous-
in, my friend Belle. | would tell bel