The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-06-27

lGlenu Dele llaTTlsOD, anu WIFI my
sister and mother
On certain day we all were 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
trcacherous soil, as he was returning,
and he slid rapidly down, TO the very
verge of the precipicc. | expected
nothing else than to see him 20 over, and
be dashed to pieces on the rocks hum
drcd feet below; but though the three
other ladies screamed loudly, ! did not.
You see, was pretty thoroughly drilled
by this time. However, as Mr.. Harri-
son ncared the edge of the prccipice, he
threw out his right hand-stIll holding
the palasol in his left-and seized the
upturncd roots of tree which leaned
out over the chasm. The tree shook
violently under the sudden shock and the
roots began to tear themselves out of the
thin soil slowly and steadily, under the
influence of this supcradled weight In
few minutes pore, it would give way,
and then Mr. Harrison would be killed.
! know my face was pale, and | was ter
ribly frightened but | leaned forward
and spoke to him:
"lcll ne what to do
"Takc all the ladies' shawls, skirts,
and any other articles OF dress that you
can spare, and which are strong cut
them IN wide, strong strips; tic them
firmly together and make rope"
obcycd as calmly as knew he
would have done, but none the less ex-
pcditiousy on that accoant, be very sure.
lie continued speaking TO me at intervals
while was doing his bidding, and lie
spoke as deliberately as if he stood in
safety by my side.
"Iour calmnoss Is quite charming,
Miss Monroe said he. "Bc sure and
make the knots tight. l judge that
this tree may be relied ON with perfect
confidence for ten or fifteen minutes
yet. = Your rope is long
enough now, think Tie stone tc
the end, and let that cnl down tc
me. 81 That's it. All
right now. DO nothing but hoG fast
and stand still, ladies, and will come
up to you.'
lie drew himself up, hand over hand
with extreme caution, and was saved
My mothers para.ol was restored to her
with a bow and hc brushed the dirt
from his clothes AMI walked away viii
us. | walked by his side but he made
reference to the peril just passed.
That evening however, us we sat or
/ the pazz, of our hotel, where it over
looks the rivcr-how well | remember
the rushing sound Of the waters down
/ low.-hc SAID
owe arc alone nov, Miss Monroe
and can thank you for saving my life
/ witho@t offence to the other ladies'"
1T was too dark, out there, for him tc
see the blush Of delight that went over
my face at these words. How mucl
I they meant, to me
81 knew ! was as good as saycd," sal
he, "Whcn | saw you standing witt
tightIy-claspcd hands and your under-hE
pressed by your shining teeth, while Bell,
and the other ladies were trying tc
drown the roar of the Old Niagara Will
their ,hrick.. | never saw one of YOU
sex before who Lad the control ovcl
herself which you manifested to-day
If had seen such an exhibition any
where it would naturally have AVA
kened my admiration; but when it hap
pcned 10 be an exhibition in which my
own life or death was concerned, yol
may imagine my feelings"
The tone in which he uttered theso
words was so tender and true .-rit sait
50 plainly that lie would gladly devot,
all his future life to me But. thougl
tone and manner said this, his wo,1L
did not say it and knew the reason
slle believed me already betroihcd.
William Willis was the son Of New
GOlk merchant who had been school
mate with my father. 1t was my IA
ther's wish that we should be married
| loved my father, and was anxious tC
be pleased with his friends SON Young
Willis had been frequent guest with US
/ and many considered US already bctroth
ed. lie was an agreeable companion il
the paror-a good dancer, and all that
but | cared more for one look at JOSEPH
/ llarrisou's earnest, honest gray eyes thar
| did for William WilIiss composition.
According TO a previous appointment
Mr.. Willis came TO the Falls during oul
/ stay. lie arrived on the evening of the
day that witnessed Mr. Harrison's mar
row escape from death. lie came out
upon the piazza where we sat, that even,
ing; and we shook hands. The gentle
men were slightly acquainted, but it wa:
PLAIN Mr.. Harrison did not like Mr.
Willis much and with playful "Ici
muSs wcggieH," to Inc, he rose and went
into the ballroom, politely offering hi:
seat 10 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.
lie was very courteous TO Mr., Willis,
and quietly yielding all preferences relat-
ing to me and my society, lie seemed,