The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1868-05-28

did not say it; and l knew the reason
he believed me already betrothed.
William Willis was the son Of q New
York merchant Who had been a school
mate with my father: ltw my fathers
wish that We should be married.
loved my father, and Vas anxious to be
pleased With his friends son. Young
Willis had been frequent guest with
Us, and many considered US already be-
trothed. He was an agreeable com.
pauion in the parlor-a good dancer,
aud all that; bat cared more for one
look Of Joseph Harrison's earnest,
honest gray eyes than I did for William
Willis's whole composition.
According to previous appointmen,
Mr.. Willis came to the Fails during
our stay. He arrived on the evening
of the day that witnessed Mr. Harri-
sons narrow escape from death. he
oa'"e o"t ~Po" tho piazza whore We sat.
that evening; and we shook bands.
Inc gentlemen were slightly acquaint-
ed, but it was plain Mr.. Harrison did
not like Mr.. Willis much and with a
playful "lch n'~ss weggehn," to me,
ne rose and went into the ballroom
politely Offering his seat to Mr.. Willis.
Several days passed. While actually
IN the position Of arrival toward MI. Willis
Mr. Harrison by nomeans permitted him.
self to act 40 if he were such. He
was very courteous to Mr.. Willis, and
quietly yielded oil preferences relating
to me and my society. He seemed,
however, to be studying us-weighing
the evidence Of regard between us
trying to form q conclusion a. to
the probable extent of our relations
matrimony-vard, Oh, it did seem to me
IS it he might, 80 brave man as he
"as-plain!y put few que.tions to me
on TIE subject! 1would quickly have
assured him how little Mr.. Willis was
At last, I had nearly made up my
miod tea desperate thing; nothing less
indeed, than to seek the intercession of
his cousin, my friend Belle. 1 would
tell her how much l loved Mr.. Har:i-
son, and beg her to inform him in some
sly feminine way, that I should never
marry Mr.. Willis, and that we were
not "engaged." However, I neglected
to do this, just one day too long.
1t was Monday the last day Of
our intended stay at the Falls. Mr.
Willis invited me to ride. I had no
courteous refusal at band, and I con-
sented to 60 With him. Indeed, I had
half promised him, some days before.
There was New York friend of his
staying At the Falls, who had with him
favorite horse-a fiery, handsome
animal-and Mr.. Willis had repeated
ly invited me to ride behind him. I
could put off the ride no longe, OF
course.
l did not much like the vicious man.
ner in which the horse, at starting, laid
back his ears and bounded away; but
l said nothing. We had not been
riding many minutes, ere the animal
chose to take fright at the tapping of a
line full of newly washed clothing, in
the door-yard of house near the river
bank and, taking the bit in his teeth,
he ran away. Our road lay along the
bank-safs enough, certainly, for ride
with a horse under control; but de
cidedly not the best place for runa-
way, because there was spot, not over
half mile distant, where the chances
we're frightfully great that We should be
thrown over the precipice and killed.
At the rate We were now going, we
should reach this dangerous place very
soon. William Willis looking ahead,
comprehended the danger, and his face
blanched.
"Good God !" he cried, ";fs death !'
With that he threw up the reius, aud
jumped out Of tie buggy, striking =
rock, and breaking his collar-bone- AS 1
| found afterwsrd.
As for me I kept my seat. If it
should become necessary for me to
jump, then I would jump; but I was
determined not to take the venture till
it was imperative]y demanded, BY the
imminency Of the danger 1t hand.
| So long as there was possibility that
the horses progress might be arrested,
I held to that hope; because, when
horse ia running turiously down a
smooth road, there is no choice between
jumping spots, till the crisis is at hand.
While I sat, cliugins firmly to the
seat, and looking out sharply ahead, for
the dangerous place must now be draw
ing near, mau-it was Mr.. Harrison
sprung With astonishing agility at the
horses head, from among some trees
at the roadside, caught the bit, jerked it
back, and actually tore the animals
lips, so that blood flowed, so energetic
was the action. There was no resist
ing the iron will, backed by the iron
nerve. The runaway came to . stop.
MIR. Harrison drew him to the side Of
the road, and examined the harness and
buggy carefully.
"Nothiug broken," said he. "a
vnr,, n>.,o- n.>>~n Ag:s. Mnnnoo 7