The New York herald., 1871-09-17

were FEW passengers on board. and most OF them
remained IN the cabin. By,and-by, however, some
fore and ait. Gradually the actions OF the Pro-
fessor began TO excite some attention, for he
walked about much more rapidly than the
occasion demanded, much more rapidly, indeed,
than man OF his years might be supposed to do
even under any circumstances. But the lady who
accompanied MIN Kept . close eye upon his move
ments, not perhaps that she apprehended anything,
but there may have been lurking suspicion In her
mind that everything was not as Il should be. So
WATCHED HIM ATTENrIvFLY
and followed him up and down the deck with ap-
parent cneerfulness, although her mind was
uneasy. Alter sundry promenades the lady at
length lad, addressed him. only as woman
cabin and renamed seated until the steamer ar
rived at It's destination The Professor turned upo
ness. and Dade her 10 leave him. He paced the
deck again, and although the lady, evidently un-
luctant 10 make advances followed closely In his
path, he nevertneess, gave her unmlstakabie symp-
toms tnat her companionship was undesirable. But
her
PERSUASIVE POWERS
at length succeeded, and finally accedinR to her
gentle request he accompanied her to the saloon.
After sitting quietly for few minutes he suddenly
sprang up, expressing desire to take the fresh air.
The lady clung 10 him and entreated MIN to resume
MS comfortable seat but he petsnly reped that he
was not 10 be treated as chid, and suddenly
darted forth from The saloon. This action
on the part OF the AIRED gentleman attracted some
notice, but not sufficient, however, to cause any
alarm. Once more MS pauent guardian succeeded
IL.
merrily for twenty minutes, and the Professor hav-
ing composed himself for some time at length TEN.
pOrarlly excused himself. The Mary Powell sped
on her way, wnen suddenly the startling cry Of
"A MAN OvERBOARDr
made the blood tngle in the veins of all. The pilot
Hlnckley rushed toward the wheelnouse shouting
"Stop, herr 'Stop her." But the pilot had wit
commenced to back, and now she was standing
still. With commendabe promptness Captain
Frost lowers his boat and vigorous search Is nsti
In nfnSn n
and no sign Of hlm-1fteen minutes more and all
hope is gone. Haul up the boat Jingle goes the
CoNsrERNAT ON UPON EVERY FACE
on board for the rigorous search proved fruitess,
he jumped forward OF the starboard wheel anu must
have been struck by IT. II 30, that's the last OF hm.
was an oldish sort OF man; whipped of his coat
ana plunged in-thats all knOw.' But who was
10 rise SANK to ne Of the
by the revolving wheel, whose was the body that
could not be found9 FOR time the excitement on
fessor Mahan meanwhile comes on deck and listens
to the recital OF the incident which has occurred.
Where is Professor Mahan? With sllrIl though
suppressed scream this lady flies TO the upper deck
the saloon and lower deck No. he is nowhere to
BRw1LDERINe SENSATION
tnat the PROFESSOR has drowned himself comes
gradually upon the little assembage His overcoat
1t was q sad scene. Professor Mahan was known to
almost every one on board. Amazement, grief and
made more uaiucky passage. That everything
was done to save The unfortunate gentle
man was patent TO ALL buL that ne was
lab0rlng under degree OF Insanity was
equally evident to those who carefully observed
hls actions prlor to The disaster. Captain Frost
c0urGeously pu5 the lady ashore at YonKers 50 tnat
she might catch the l1:3) train Tor west Point.
When the steamer arrived at her wharf ia tins city
Mr. llinckley telegrapned to BrigadIer General
Pitcher and Colonel Miichel announcing the sad
event, and advising them to meet the lady at the
dock, so as TO break the melancholy intelligence TO
the family OF the deceased. And this was
the END OF truly great man. lie
leaves a wife and five child ren-two daughters
ana three s0ns-twO OF whom graduated
at the head OF their respective classes In the army
ana the other In the navy; while one OF MS daush
terS proved the most brilliant scholar during her
term at Vassar College. 1t Is understood that the
deceased lett his family in very comfortable clrcunl.
stances Yet that fact but slightly cOmpensaes for the
loss OF such lumnary as Professor 4uanan. His
OBITUARY, recled In another cOlumn, sets forth
the glorious scientific vlcissltudes through winch
ne passed. The name OF Professor Mahan
Will be enshr1ned IN the bOsOms Of the great men
ne mas trained Tor war, wnlie his genius an engl-
neer Will ever be associated with the military genius
OF The country From MS entrance to the Naval
Academy In 1870 down To the close OF his brilliant
career he has been, first OF all, conscientious and
unswerving in the dis harge OF his duties, slngu-
larry Drlllant and successful III the execution anu
unauestl0hably triumphant In the result oil the the
0rIes whicn he eXpOunded When body shall
have been recovered 1t Will be laid beneath the sod
with al the honors or war.