The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-08-23
From the Illustrated Christian Weehl
OVER THE FALLS.

Niagara is the subllmest spot on the
coutinest, but almost every year it be-
comes the scene Of some new horror
that makes the blood curdle to read Of
it. A few weeks since, it added a new
chapter to the ever growing volume of
the woes of strong drink. Three young
men, who had become intoxicated TO the
point Of perfect stupidity, undertook to
cross the Niagara river about three miles
above the cataract. The owner Of the
boats refused to let one to them, but, BY
some means they got a boat, and
launched out for the Canadian side.
The little skff was soon caught in the
swift current of the rapids. A strong
and steady arm alone could save it. The
oarsman, who was the nearest sober OF
the wre,ched trio, stood up in the boat,
and seeing the terrible danger, gave
wild shrek and ieaped over board TO
swim ashore. The current was too strong
for him. He buffeled the fierce rapids
for a few moments until his little strength
gave way, and then be was wbirled
along helplessly to the verge, and shot
over the cataract.
His .wo stupe6ed companions lay
asleep on the bottom Of the boat, and
never awoke until their afrighted spirits
awoke in eternity. Their irail boat
lcaped off the awful cliff Of waters like a
bit of cork, and in an instant they we're
engulfed in the foaming malestrom
beneath. The next morning a single
leg of one Of the poor wretches was
picked up on the Canadian shore, show.
ing that their bodies must have been
dashed to fragments in their descent
among the rocks below the cataract
The Word of God describes druuken
man as "oDe who lieth" (asleep) "on
the top of a mast" in the midst Of the
sea. But it adds new horror to the
picture to lie in the sleep of drunken
insensibiity on the foaming edge of
Niagara. Probably the wretched crea-
lures in the boat fancied themselves on
delightful sail as they swept so swiftly
through the waters. They awoks from
the enchanting slumber in the jaws Of
death.
This terrible tragedy at Niagara is
but picture of the cataract Of ruin,
over which one hundred thousand Of our
countrymen were swept during the last
twelve months. Commissioner Wells
reports that immense number as going
down into the vortex Of "death through
intemperance" cithin one year. How
many fathers aud mothers have stood
on the bank and seen their sous whirl
over into the abyss, God only kuoweth.
But every young man or woman who
is playing with the wiuecu2 is venturing
towards the rapids. The liquor.sellers
furnish the boats; it is their trade to
"hire" them for "pleasure excursions"
Every young man, as he launches into
the habit of drinking, laughs at the idea
of any danger. "Who's afraid !? not I J"
In little while he is helpless on che
bottom of the skiff. and shooting towards
the brink of perdition ALI the warning
cries of pulpits, and press, and parental
love cannot awaken him. He is dragged
with the dram sellers dose Of death. He
will wake up when he gets into eternity
not before.
Sometimes poor slave Of the bottle
sees his danger, and, like that third man
at Niagara, jumps out Of the boat. But
It is too late. Re has gone too far, and
the disease Of drunkenness has become
incursble. His will has become power.
less. He cannot control himself. The
rapids Of fatal habit are too strong for
his enfesbled resolution. Now and then
one, by the help Of the divine grace,
reaches che. shore. Temperance So
cie.ies pick up . few strong swimmers,
and assist them with the rope Of . total
abs.insnoe pledge. But the vass ma
iority Of habitual drinkers 50 opsr I've
faus. Young msniehe aps glass jog
take Is : stsp iHto ,ths. boat: It;s !;
voyage may begio With sosg--bls ii
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