North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-07-11
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1t was in the summer of the year which
saw me pass my twentieth birthday. that
we met at Niagara Falls. He was there
with his cousin, my dear fiiend Belle Har-
rison, and with my sister and mother.
On certain day we were all taking a
walk on Goat Island, when mother dropped
her parasol, and it slid down the bank
some fifteen or twenty feet, and out of
reach. Mr.. Harrison descended the bank
after it, but though he used proper caution,
his foot slipped on the treacherous soil, as
he was returning, and he slid rapidly down
to the very verge OF the precipice. Iex-
pected nothing else than to see him 90
over, and be dashed to pieces on the rocks
hundred feet below; but though the
three other ladies screamed loudly, did
not. You see, l was pretty thoroughly
drilled by this :ime. However, as Mr..
Harrison neared the edge of the precipice,
he threw out his right hand-still holding
the parasol in his left--and seized the up
turned roots of tree which leaned out
over the chasm. The tree shook violently
under the sudden shock, and the roots be-
gan to tear themselves out of the thin soil
slowly and steadily. under the influence of
this snperadded weight In few minutes
more it would give way. and then Mr..
Harrison would be killed. | know my
face was pale, and was terribly frighten-
ed; but | leaned forward and spoke to
him.
"Tell we what to do"
"Take all the ladies' shawls, skirts, and
any other articles of dress that you car
spare, and which are strong; cut them in
wide, strong strips; tie them hrmly to-
gether and make rope"
l obeyed as calmly as / knew ne would
have done, but none the l2ss expeditions
ly on that account, be very sure. lie con-
tinued speaking to me at intervals while L
was doing his bidding, and he spoke as de-
liberately as if he stood IN safety by my
side.
"Your calmness is quite charming, Miss
Monroe" said he. "Be sure and make the
knot tight. Judge that this tree may be
relied on with perfect confidence for ten
or fifteen minutes yet. Yonr rope is long
enough now, l think. Tie stone to the
end, and let that end down to me. That's
it. All right now. Do nothing but hold
last and stand still, ladies, and | will come
up to you"
He drew himself up, hand over hand,
with extreme caution, and was saved. My
mothers parasol vas restored to her with
a courtly bow; and he brushed the dust
from his clothes and walked away with us.
| walked by his side; but he made no ref.
erence to the peril just passei.
That evening, however, as we sat on the
piazza of of our hotel. where it overlooks
the river-how well remember the rush
ing sound Of the waters down below -
he said:
"We are alone now, Miss Monroe, and
I can thank you for saving my life, without
offence to the other ladies'"
1t was too dark, ont there, for him to
see the blush Of delight that went over nv
face at these works. How much they
meant, to me
81 know was as good as saved" said
he, "when | saw you standing wi tightly
cIasped hands and your under-lip pressed
by your shining teeth, while Belle and the
other ladies were trying to drown the roar
of old Niagara with their shrieks. / nev-
er saw one of your sex before who had the
contro! over herself which you manifested
today. IF had seen such an exhibition
anywhere it would naturally have awaken
ed 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 Sc tender and true lit said so
plainly that he would gladly devote all his
future life to me! But, though tone and
manner said this, bis words did not say it
and knew the reason. He believed me
already betrothed. FL.
William Willis was the son of New
York merchant who had been a school
mate with my father. 1t was my fathers
wish that we should be married. loved
my father, and was anxious to be pleased
with his friends son. Young Willis had
been frequent guest with US, and many
considered us already bethrothed. He
was an agreeable companion in the parlor,
good dancer, and all that; but ! cared
more for one look of Joseph Harrison's
earnest, honest grey eyes than I did for
William Willis's whole composition.
According to previous appointment,
Mr.. Willis came to the Falls during our
stay. He arrived on the evening of the
day that witnessed Mr.. Harrison's narrow
escape from death. lie came out upon
tho piazza where we sat, that evening;
and we shook hands. The gentlemen were
slightly acquainted, but it was plain Mr..
Harrison did not like Mr.. Willis much
and with playful Sch mass wegqehem,"
to me, he rose and went into the ballroom,
politely offering his seat to Mr.. Willis.
Several days passed. While actually in
the position Of rival toward Mr.. Willis,
Mr.. Harrison by no means permitted HIM