The Placer herald., 1874-03-28

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builders, and threw myself under tree,
and watched them hew and match the tim
bers al d planks, and then raise them to
their place. The hum of the voices had
CHEEKY sound in it, and at last led me to 60
out among them.
picked my way among the timbers,
carefully, and was almost at the end of the
completed part when fancied l heard my
name spoken by some one on shore. |
turned, without thinking where l was,
missed my footing upon the plank, had no
time TO call for help, and the next instant
was under the water.
1t seemed an age to me before l arose
again. Down, down, down went in the
greensh water, and then, without any APP
parent cause, | began to raise. The water
hurt my eyes and there was a roaring noise
in my ears, as If thousand cannon were
laundering in discord on every side of me.
But my thinkin. faculties were uncouded,
and my mind was bu y turning over and
recalling all that had read or heard of
what men should do who were in danger of
drowning. | wondered if the workmen
would be ready with assistance for me when
| reached the surface, and | remembered
would have but thee chances for my life.
Then WI above water.
No one was near to help me. | called
out with all my strength for help and
struck out with my hands and feet, as
ha seen swimmers do; but it was of no
avail; sank again
| O, the horrid, horrible noises within my
head! They were growing louder and
| I hat
had prevented me learning to swim when |
was boy. And why were not the men
doing something fer me? Thy had but to
throw out board or a rope, and l would
be saved. They must have heard me fall.
Will they be ready now 0, God, have
mercy and send me help.
There is man with rope. All, it fell
short The fool why is he so slow !?
II Up! He The word is finished under
the water, and | have cboked myself with
what have swallowed. The terrible, roar
ing nose My head will split assunder.
1t but a hand was near me! | cannot die
am not ready-it cannot be! There is light
again Father in heaven, help me
There comes a boat. Hurry! 0. hurry!
How slow they come O, Heaven! one
minute more, but one short minute. Help!
help! O, the clumsy fool! He has lost his
oar, and am lef. TO drown.
won't go down! l will not die! O.,
this cursed, yielding water! These garments
of lead! won't 90 down Ha! am ris-
ing. No, cal not feel myself move. But
this internal roar in my head has increased
and maddens me- There are ten thousand
shrieking devils within my ears. They yell
like tortured souls in hell. Louder Louder!.
louder!l!
Why, what is this? Music Yes;
sweetest, dreamiest music comes stealing
upon my senses and drives away the hordts
Of Satan. 'Tis sweeter, this, than life.
Am in heaven? No waters cover me; no
dread or fear rests upon my spirits; am
content; my soul is full of rest and peace
This must be heaven, but ! am left all
alone.
must have hoated in the invisible ether,
for here | see another world. There are
hills and mountains, trees and flowers, and
there are men and women walking to and
fro. How like the places where first !
lived! Why, it is the same place! seem
to remember that little boy who runs about
the street. All, thought so. He is my
self. Follow him. See him pinch the lame
bov, push over the little girl at the corner,
worry the old blind soldier. Yes, did all
that. They were funny then. but they
seem fearIully cruel now. l wish bad
never been 20 bad.
Follow him STILL He drinks and swears
and CANDLES Follow him stop bimlO, it
| had never done these things! But he goes
on to worse yet. His life is all bad. 1t WAS
my life, my own evil life. Ii l but had it
10 live again!
But his heart is not all bad. See him
kneel beside that maiden and swear to live
a better life. Love has touched his heart,
and love is but another name for God. lie
strives hard 10 conquer himself; he is sue
ceeding slowly. There he sits beside the
woman he loves Yes, it is Laura and my
self. Ny face is trustful and happy, but
Laura's is somewhat suspicious. l hear her
words, and am living over again my last
night with her. There, letter drops on the
floor, but do not think it is mine, and
turn to 20 with "good night" on my lips.
Before close the door turn around, and
here is litter, scornfnl smile upon her
lace. v hat could that letter have been?
Il was not nine. Hold! 1t must have
been tie one lost and had forgotten until
now. saw it fall, but thought that it
dropped from Laura's hand ought to
have remembered it before. 1t was from
my old frie I'd, Jessie King. and thought !
had put it on my table.
That must have been the letter Laura
found yes, and it accounts for her subse-
ouent behavior. The letter was but line:
dDear Frank, T will wait for you at H..
Saturday" Laura must have supposed
Jessie was a lover, while she was really
married to my cousin John.
Saturday p When will Saturday come,
| wonGer? She will learn some day, that
Jessie was but friend. How remorseful
she will be =? And mother, poor old moth