The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-06-07

would naturally have awakened my ad
miration hut when it happened to be
an exhibition in which my own life or
death was concerned. you may imagine
nv 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 me, But, though
tone and manner said this, his words did
not say it; and knew the reason. He
believed me already betrothed.
William Willis was the son of New
York merchant who had been school
mate with my father 1t was my father 5
wish that we should be married l low
ed my father. and was anxious to be
pleased with his TREND son. 1oung
Willis had been frequent guest with US,
and many considered us already be
trothed. He was an agreeable compan-
ion in the parlor--a good dancer, and
all that. but cared more for one look
of Joseph Harrison's earnest, honest
gray ewes than did for William Willis
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 s mar
row escape from death He came out
upon the piazza where we sat, that even
ing: and we shook hands The gentle
men were slightly acquainted. but 1t was
plain Mr.. Harrison did not like Mr.. vii
lis much; and with a playful 'Ich nauss
lceogehen, to me, he rose and went into
the ball room, 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 per
mitted himself to act as if he were such.
He was very courteous to Mr.. Willis,
and quietly yielded all preferences re-
la,ing to me and my society. He seem
ed, however, to be studying us-weigh
! ing the evidence Of regard between us
| trying to form n conclusion as to the
! probable extent of our relations, matri-
/ mony ward Oh, it did seem to me as
! if he might, so brave man as he was
plainly put a few questions to me on
the snhject l would quickly have as
! sured him how little Mr.. Willis was to
me.
! At last, had nearly made up my
!. mind TO a desperate thing; nothing less
inGeed than to seek the intercession OF
his cousin. my friend Belle. l would
tell her how much l loved Mr.. Harrison,
and beg her to inform him IN some sly
feminine way, that | should never mar
rv Mr. Willis. and that We were not Zen
gagged However,, | neglected to do
this, just one day too long
1t was a Monday-the last day of our
intended stay at the Falls. Mr.. Willis
invited me to ride l had no courteous
refusal at had, and l had consented
TO 90 with him. Indeed, half prom
ised him. some days before. There was |
n New York friend of his staying at the
Fails. who had with him n favorite horse
a fiery. handsome an;mal-and Mr.. t
Willis had repeatedly invited me to ride |
BEND him I could pat off the ride no |
longer, Of course.
did not much like the vicious man
ner in which the horse, at starting. laid I
back lis ears and bounded away: but |
| said nothing We had not been riding /
many minutes ere the animal chose to I
take fright at the tapping of a line-fnll /
of newly washed clothing, in the door
ward of n house near the rivcrbank and,
taking the bit in his teeth. he ran away.
Our road lay along the hank-safe /
enough. certainly, for ride with a horse
under control hut decidedly not the
best place for a runawA, because there
was spot, not over half a mile distant.
where the chances were frightfully great
that we should be thrown over the preci-
pice and killed At the rate we were
now going, we should reach that danger
Gus place very soon. William Willis,
looking ahead, comprehended the dan
ger, and his face blanched-
Good God = he cried, ''t's death -
With that he threw up the reins. and
jumped out Of the buggy, striking a rock
and breaking his collar bone-as | found
afterward
As for me. / kept my seat. Ifit should
become necessary for me to jump, then
| would jnInp: hut / was determined not
to take that venture till it was compare
tively demanded. by the immlnency of
the danger at hand. So long rs there
Was a possibility that the horses pro
sress might be arrested. held to that
hope because, when 4 horse is running
furiously downa smooth road, there is
no choice between jumping spots, till the
crisis is at hand.
While l sat, clinging firmly to the seat
and looking out sharply ahead, for the
dangerous place must now be drawing
near, a man it was Mr.. Harrison
spruag with astonishing agility at the
horses head, from among some trees at
the road side, caught the bit, jerked it
back and out Of the horses teeth, and
actually tore the animals lips, so that
blood flowed, so energetic was the ac
ton. There was no resisting the iron
will. backed by the iron nerve. The
runaway came to stop. Mr. Harrison
drew him to the side of the road, and
examined the haness and buggy care
fully.
:. Nothing broken said he. "a very
narrow escape. Miss Monroe. I saw
you coming. and had just to get my WITS
in order. There, don't thank me;
didn't know it was you. and should have
done just the same for any one else
But you are hurt = said /, noticing
that be limped.
YES the horse trod on my foot
s.Oh. how unfortunate, Shall /
get out?-
NO said he, that is, it is unneces
sarv that YOU should He will run no