The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-18

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Even II Ireaehed the end from which
/ had started, / should be no better of
than here, aud the hopelessuess Of the
position weakened my every nerve.
Once more heard the wind rising and
hurtling along towards me. would
cling to life as long as could. Iknelt
down on tho wet, slippery balk, clasped
it with my arms, sat astride II. The
gust came up fierce and strong, passed
over me once more-once more spared
me. ~ IT
But I felt I could not survive another
such attack; I should be blown away
like n leaf. And yet there was no hope
OF eseape-none. II was only ques.
tion Of moments how long, with stiffen-
ing limbs, could cling to this rough
beam; then a plunge into darkness.
Still, / had time to think. What
were my thoughts A helpless sense
Of cruelty, Of the horrible unfeelingness
and malignity Of this hurting wind, OF
those rigging waters. A sad mortifca-
tion, too, and sense OF injustice, that l
should lose my life for nothing; a
pleasant ramble turned to such an evil
end. or the past l thought nothing it
was nothing to me nova tale that was
told, that was all. ofthe future, moth
ing either, except n dim and awful won.
der. But plainly, wildly before my
eyes saw the figure Of my wife, sitting
ut work by the FIRE, waiting and watch.
ing for me-for me, who never should
come. That was the bitterness Oft,
And yet withal l was not unconscious oi
q certain vague sense Of the ludicrous-
q scoru OF myself, that 1 should .e thus
stuck up astride a beam, like some lad
at play, q sport for the 5uffetings OF
the elements. With this, too, an un.
speakable rage; q kind OF crushed de-
fance, n revolt against the doom which
was imminent in revolt which felt its.
self hopeless and useless from It's be-
ginning.
Whilst all this storm OF conflicting
thoughts was whirliDg through my
brain, theturmoil outside was diminish.
ing. The wind had hushed for while,
and across my face there came for a
moment sort OF ruddy glow, the last
beams OF the sun settling rapidly into
the seq. The vapors divided iora mo-
ment, the huge dark mass OF a noun
tain irowned down upon me-for mo-
mont only-then the clouds encom-
passed me once more-the glow died
away-the awful gloomy gray Of night
begun TO gather in upon mo like net.
Should I drop into the sea, and end
1t all2 To die in the dark would be more
horrible than anything else. Even on
the quietest, most resigned death.bea,
the loss Of light is the most disquieting
troublo to the departing soul. Light
more Light is tho last cry Of the spirit
in extremity. And now it seemed us
though nature had determined to spare
me no pang Of all the gathering horrors
OF my doom. Darkness and despair
were settling down upon my soul.
Then came the storm once more with
a rush sfgathered rhin, o howl, q shout,
o roar OF triumph, as the shrill wind
trumpeted past, precursor OF q more
furious blast. I could bear no more.
A sapless, nerveless form l was, swept
from the beam like withered leaf from
a branch, and I fell-catching at some
cross.beams as II fell, but losing my hold
in moment, and dropping helplessly
down.
Once more consciousness returned.
A vague silvery light was difTnsed about
me, above were stars shining, huge
bulks OF timber glimmered overhead.
I was stretched upon o bed Of wet sand,
lying on my back, looking up into the
sky.
I was not dead, then. MOI Was 1
MANNED, crushed? I drew up one limb
after another, fearing lest sudden
shout OF agony should betray some
grievous hurt. But no | I was sound
in limb and as I raised myself and
looked about, I felt that, except for diz-
ziness and wonderful ringing that was
ceaselessly going on in my head, l was
unhurt. And I was sayedl That was rs
might happen. .s.
When I rose and stood upon my feet,
I looked around me, and saw that l had
fallen upon little island, n narrow spit
OF sand that had formed in the eddy
caused by the pile OF the bridge. On
each side OF It ran q strong and rapid
current. All this I saw by the light OF
the moon, sometimes bright, sometimes
obscured, as she parted her way among
the fast driving clouds.
Distantly across the water shone the
lights Of the little town. II had its gas
lamps, which sparkled brilliantly in the
night and from ont Of the black rocks
which showed against the skyline,
here and there the light Of candle IN
o cottage window cleaned like fairy
lamp. '.t a-
! On the other side Of the estuary there
vara M l;obta Int the straininp eve