Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-06-01
pRFrIMn DOWN. NIAoARAJ
weighed In the Balance and
Found Wanting.
BY CONSTANCE F. wooLsoN.
rFrom AppIetOn,s JOurnaLl


current. our thoughts and words turned upon
the dangers of the river, the few well-known
stories Of persons who were carried over the
falls the narrative of those who were swept
down from the very locality where we were
sailing. and of those who clung to the rocks
for hours in the sight Of crowds on shore,
only to be torn away at last, and hurled over
the abyss. The fearful fascination of these
descriptions absorbed us all.
"How dreadful y murmured Kate, look
;pg hack with shudder, as IL she saw the
distant rapids and heard the very roar of the
cataract; her intense imagination brought
the scenes before her eyes with all the dis
tinctness of reality.
"AIter all, what does IL matter where or
how we die 7" said Alleyne FOrsythe. "Death
il lint the casting off our chains for a glorious
freedom, For brave souls it should have no
terrors, but rather should they yearn for their
emancipation, And, as regards the manner
of our going, what death more ethereal than
"A plunge over Niagara, and, imprisoned in
crystal shroud, to take our next breath in the
atmosphere of infnity 1t is gnoble to seek
DEATH but, when my time comes, | ask no
filter medium of translation than this pure
water l would pause ON the brink to throw
up my arms for joy at the splendOr of my
death.anges face among the rainbows."
Kate's eyes beamed with responsive enthu-
sasm II they had been alone, | verify be-
lieye she would have given in her allegiance
then and there.
'Woud you be afraid in case of danger,
Pearl 2" said Nathan Day, in a low voice.
They stood close 10 my side, so l could not
help hearing them.
mot with you," replied Pearl, lifting her
lovely eyes to his with so much trust that his
plain face grew almost handsome with hap
piness
Il think the subject has grown grisly, ="
said Frank Ronalds "For my part, IL any
thing should happen to the boat, | should
give up the ghost with fear in less than a
minute Shouldn't you, Miss Rathbone?"
81 should certainly be very much fright
cned, said Mary.
We two would meet death, If need be,
hand in hand, Rosalie," said Mr., Vanderhey-
den to his WIFE "But have no such long
ing after the unknown as to give up my as
sured happiness without struggle. Trust
me, love, would bear you safely to shore or
die in the attempt. Death would have TO
snap these muscles asunder e'er they would
relax their hold! and the tall man drew him
self up to his full height, and extended his
powerful arms as though already contending
with the current.
IL move we sing something" cried Frank
Ronals Miss Brandegee, unless you wish
ant bodies at your feet, start a lively chorus,
beg"
For some time all sang merrily, and | was
enjoying the music and the rapid motion of
the boat, when felt peculiar quiver under
my feet, and perceived that our speed was
slackening AS the party kept ON singing,
had decided that the idea must be the effect
of imagination when, after moment, | no
ticed Que of the men employed at the engine
reaching up, by means of the railing, as il
to get something on the roof overhead AT
this instant the boat swayed round with a
lurch, the man lost his balance, and fell back
ward into the water.
sprang to my feet, crying, "a man over
board' but we had already left the black
spot far behind. Nathan Day rushed toward
tile engine, and Frank Ronalds ran to the
wheel, but the black spot had disappeared,
and we strained our eyes in vain over the
misty water for any sign of life
''How cruel how wicked, to leave that
man to drown" exclaimed Kate, in indigna-
ton. 1.-The boat is drifting farther and far.
ther away from the poor creature every in
slant. Can nothing be done9 Mr.. Forsythe
pray go to the engine at once. am sure you
know more about it than Nathan Day"
The gentlemen left us TO ourselves and
crowded together around the engine; the
boat was evidently drifting down stream with
the current, and we recognized the landmarks
we had passed short time before. We heard
hammering and the clash of metal, but W,
had no realization of danger until Fronk RO
maids came toward us, his face pale in the
moonlight, and his boyish voice trembling
with agitation.
I'VE are lost!" he said, 1--WE shall go owe
the falls"
a shrek from Pearl Brandegee brough
her lover to her side.
Pearl, Pearl, my darling, do not tremb
50, we may yet be saved he cried, holding
the frantic girl in his arms.
But she did not heed him scream afte
scream rang in our ears, until we were deaf
cned by the shrill sound
ii shall be drowned, | shall be drownedE
she cried, wrestling herself from his grasp
how dared you bring me into danger, yo
selfish man !"
''She is delirious with fear" said Nathan
and, taking her hands, he tried to soothe he
with loving words.
Let me be! Don't touch mel Oh,
shall be drowned and carried over the falls /!
and renewed shrieks rang out upon the all
In the meantime we other women had bee
asking questions of everybody, and receivin
no coherent answers, had gathered aroun
Nathan Day.
''What is the matter ?" "What is il 2
rs there danger ?" we asked.
Even Pearl hushed her cries TO hear b
reply,
we are in danger the engine has broke
down beyond possibility of repair with Il
lew tools we have, and the engineer, WI
fell overheard, had with him what we mo
need The boat is drifting down with Il
current, but we are still many miles from Il
Tails. Our situation may be noticed fro
shore, and a tug sent to our assistance. "
have no small boat and no anchor, but v
have still many chances of escape" said N
than, turning his anxious face toward Peal
as If for cheering glance.
But Miss Brandegee threw herself down {
the floor, and went off into violent hysteric
Kate and looked at each other in sile
terror, Mrs. Vanderheyden sat down al
buried her face in her hands, and Mary Rat
hone climbed up on the little deck al
watched the shores intently
There is light" she exclaimed; al
Nathan left his place by Pearl to look at I
beacon.
1T is from the window of house"
Said, "but we must do all we can.
lie climbed as high as he could and way
lantern, the other gentlemen aiding hi
and for some minutes the signals were Ike
up, and we watched eagerly for Tespon:
None came; the light was hidden frC
view, and the boat drfted on.
Then Kate fancied she saw CLEAN, a