Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-05-18

be sent on Dy my cIeTK IN case ehV"'N AL.
My property | gave to Walkers c3SIEe E
with Instructions how to dispose OF It, hen
matters had been thus arranged it was well
toward evening, and taking light cane IN
nv hand. walked out for breath OF fresh
air.
Not far from the camp were Morgahs :
Falls, a wild, romantic spot, where the wate'
of the river tumbled over huge bed oil Dro-
ken rocks, and toward that spot bent my
steps. just above the Falls was d bridge Of
logs from which could be obtained one o.
the grandest scenes that ever blessed the eye
of an artist. As | reached the summit oil al
eminence near the Falls, saw woman ans
child standing, as | ascended into the shrub
berry. was just emerging from thicket
when a sharp, piercing cry OF agony broke
upon my ear. | sprang to the bridge, anC
there | saw the wOman-alone.
She was wringing her hands and shriekIng
like a crazy creature. was not many min
utes in comprehending the truth. Below the
bridge, floating on the troubled waters,
saw the child, its spreading garments buoy
ing it up and could hear the tiny voice
calling, '' Mamma Mamma -
| There was not a moment to be lost. The
child was going nearer and nearer to the
lalls-nearer and nearer to death : 1t was a
fearful risk for me, for the chances were that
boiling surge beneath the reckss Bot what
! was the risk to me then III died IN the
river l should not stand in the way OF MAJOR
Farwelrs bullet. | had better a thousand
times give up my life thus, than throw 1t
away in duel. The woman saw me and
appealed to me for help, but my coat was of
before she discovered me, and in a moment
| was in the water striking out with all my
power.
! IN 4 LII -
to the falls when | started but | swan rap
idly, and caught it just at the point where
the waters began to gather for the plunge.
| 1t was a girl not more than three or four
years old, with bright golden riDglets, large
1 blue eyes, and face like a cherub. She
elasped her little arms about my neck, and
called me =" papa"
o papa-goOd papa-don't let Kitty 60
/ into that wicked place down there
! With all my might held up the child
and struck for the shore but it was not TO
i be. | had been drawn into the swift current
I and no mortal soul could have withstood it.
| The prospect of the morrow took from me
all fears for the present and | was more calm
and collected than | might otherwise have
been. Well, as soon as | realized that
must go over the fall turned every thought
to save the child, for even in those few short
moments, the darling had won strangely and
deeply into my love.
Near and nearer swifter and swifter, the
roar of the mad waters growing louder aud
louder until at length the edge was reach.
ed. Close to my bosom | bore the child,
shielding it as well as | could. and in n mo
ment my eyes were closed beneath the boil
ing flood. Downtown, down. around like
top-then away over the bed of smooth
rocks and when finally opened my eyes
cho
cred that | could stand upon my feet, with
my head out of water.
| reached the shore Just three or four
soldiers came down the mule path, and they
helped me to a bed of moss, and took the
child from my arms
Was the child safe
They told me yes | looked up and saw
the cherub smile, and then my brain whirled
as it had whired in the flood, and | sank in
to the strong arms of one Of my men, quite
dizzy and FAINT.
Whose child was it?
's The nurse took it away" replied my
Orderly. - and il was alive and we'll -
- --=.I..- 49, Tho woman who had
1t ln'charge was stranger, and anxiety on
my account had prevented their asking many
questions
1, was now O'Clock. and had been in
sore and my eft arm was ' 80 fisa;;- il .is, :
and ate light supper, and by 10 O'Clock
felt quite strong,
In the morning | felt sore and stiff, and
was forced TO hang my lett arm in sling
Walker. when he came, suggested that the
duel be put of, but | would listen to no such
proposition.
4 few glasses of wine made me feel better,
and | believed my right hand would be
steady enough.
At half-past six we took our pistols and
started for the place which was IN a sechd-
ed spot on the river, about half a mile be-
low the falls | felt somewhat iatigued
when reached the place, and was forced to
call on my second for his whisky flask. In
a little while the Major ard Adiutant made
their appearance, and | suggested to Walker
that would like to have the affair over a
soon as possible l was growing weak and
shaky, though | did not tell him SO. He
had opened the pistol case, and was taking
out the weapons, when Mr.. Bowker aP-
preached us.
- Gentlemen" said he, " Major Farwell
wishes to speak before We proceed any fur
ther.'
=. am ready to listen | replied ''only
let it be brief possible"
Presently the Major came toward US.
" Captain" he said, with perccptible
tremulousness in his tone, 81 have challen-
ged you and the arrangements are all made
| will stand where am and you may fire al
me-"
"You mean we will exchange shots,
said
No, > he returned, shaking his head, "
cannot fire at you.
" But, sir, what means this = | cried in
amaZement.
% Do you not know " he asked, seeming
/ ly equally amazed.
! / assured him that did not
- You saved a human life last night.
90 Yes l saved a cherub.''
'' Do you know whose cherub 1t was
| told him | had not the least idea.
With a quick movement he advanced anc
caught my hand.
Captain Willet,'' he exclaimed, wit,
strong emotion a. that child was minei loU
may have your shot; but | would rather die
a thousand deaths than raise my hand against
the preserver of my child. You may IRE
where you stand. l shall not return your
shot"
My brain commenced to whirl-a ceiling
of faintness came over me. Earth aHd sky
began to recede from my vision. heard,
or partly heard Walker say
% Poor fellow the falls were TO much
for him. Look at his countenanee
| remember little else. NJ strongtb
seemed failing. was sensible Of both body
and mind reeling and giving OUT | family
realized that my hand was tendsrly, warmly
grasped, and knew that Major Farweh was
bending over me, and speakls in voice
tremul0us with emotion. M ears caught
these words
Pardon me, Captain -fOrgive me was
all wrong"
[ heard no more. All recollection iaded
out.
When | awoke to Consciousness @Saln, IL
was in sick room,f s5d ANXIOUS, tehuer ~
atchers were bending Eer me. 1iy Ieeos |
erx was slow-for the shock hau receiVeG