The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-08-22
A HAPPY KRSrUcKIAS.

At the gala regetta of the Soutl
German Boating Association, a
Mannheim, Baden, on the 18th o
June, there took place an even
which shed considerable lustre OIL
American gallantry, and which
ended in most romantic manner
On the above mentioned day Tho
banks of the Rhine were lineC
| with spectators, among whom the
South German Aristocracy were
fully represented. just as the
crews of tour boating societies
were speeding past the last pillar
of the new bridge, thrilling spec
tac1e attracted all eyes. A hand
some young lady, most elegantly
dressed, who had been leaning over
the Low railing Of the bridge. sud
denly lost her balance and fell into
the water, which was at least s.r-
enty-fve feet underneath, Two or
three heart-rending shrieks burst
from the lips of those standing
near, and then the thousands of
spectators, losing all interest in
the race, looked in breathless sus-
pense for the result of this horri-
BILE accident. The poor young
lady struck the water heavily, and
disappeared at once. The Rhine
at that place is deep and rapid,
and when the aged father of the
unfortunate lady, in a voice Of
agonizing grief, offered a prlncely
reward for whoever would save his
daughter, there was no response.
All at once n tall young man in
the costume of German student,
and wearing the gold embroidered
&c p of the Vandal Society of
Heidelberg, rushed to the left bank
of the river and plunged boldly
into the water--a leap of thirty
feet. There was a loud shont Of
applause, and then again q pause
of breathless silence. All eyes
were riveted on the gallant swim
mer as he struggled against the
rapid current ut the very spot
where the lady disappeared. He
diyed down, What minute of
suspense. But all at once n heavy
burden fell from those oppressed
hearts. The swimmer emerged
from the depth, and on his arm
held the senseless body of the
young lady. Another shout of
applause rang the welkin. Now
two boats rowed rapidly toward
the pair, and they did not come
any too soon, for the young swim
mer was becoming visibly faint,
and when he, with his fair burden
was drawn into one of the boats,
he sank down in utter exhaustion.
When the boat reached the left
bank the young hero was at once
the object of fervent ovation,
while the young lady's father took
her in his arms and carried her,
still in an unconscious state, into
a carriage.
The young hero was a Kentuck-
ian, named Clarence Goodwin, a
law student at the University of
Heidelberg. The oldest and most
experienced fisherman on the
Rhine pronounced his exploit a
truly heroic deed, and already On
the following morning the Gland
Duke of Baden conferred on young
Goodwin, who is only nineteen
years old, the large gol1en medal
for deeds of courage and devotion.
But still greater reward awaited
him. The young lady whose life
be had saved, and who, notwith-
standing the terrible shock she
had suffered, had soon revived,
was the only daughter of the Count
of Reigera, one of the wealthiest
South German noblemen. Her
father went himself to the savior
of his daughter, and after thank
ing him in the most touching man
ner, brought him to the young
Countess. The latter thanked
young Goodwin with tears in her
eyes, and said that her lifelong
gratitude belonged to him. Dur
ing the next few days the twol
were seen frequently together on
the public promenade, and every
body in Mannheim believes that
they are engaged to he married.