The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-05-30
ST. Nicholas.

The June number Of this peerless magazine
for the young folks opens with seaside sto-
nv, How the Gull Went Down, by Rebecca
Harding Davis, handsomely Illustrated. The
Two Carriages, by Miss Canter; Folded
Hands, by Albert Durer; Miss Slipperkin's
Family, by Clara D. Dolliver The Little Re
formers, by Rossiter Johnson; and the Her
ony among the Gnarled Pines, by c. A. Step
hens,-are all either fine stories or sketches ;
but what the larger boys and grown people
indeed will be most interested in is an ad-
nIrable article by VIM. II. Rideing, telling
how sunken vessels are raised and their car
goes saved by our constructors The Cen
tral object of interest in these operations is
the diver After describing his curious and
complicated armor, the sketch goes on:
Full fathom five he sinks; and as the sea
closes about him, the great weight Of his ar
NOR dwindlcs away, and his movements are
as free as an athletes. Smoothly he descends,
and soon feels his feet touching the hard
sand. His foothold is unsteady for notwith-
standing the weights attached to him, is still
too busyant and once or twice he pulls the
signal-line for less air Well he knows that,
unless the supply be rightly adjusted, he will
either be sufocated or sent bLbbling TO the
surface feet first.
But his signals are needed, and as his
tread becomes firm, he glances around him
ont Of the little window in his helmet. Shoals
of fish crowd inquisitiyely near, and some
daringly rub their noses against his breast ::
but wave of his hand drives them off in the
utmost terror. A few yards away lies TIE
wreck, beddcd in the sand, and plainly visi-
bic in the green light Of the depths. There
is as much light, indeed, as we have on shore
during ordinary foggy weather. The diver
approaches cautiously. His greatest peril is
in the tangled rigging and splnters, which
might twist or or break the airpipe and sig
nal-line. He does not move a step without
first finding out whittier it will lead him, and
in good time he safely reaches the hull.
Thus far he is pleased with the "job;" the
water is clear and his feet do not Sink into
the sand. Now he begins his search for the
damages, and works for four or five hours
without interruption, examining the vessel
in every part and humming Il lively tune as
he moves briskly about The water is cold,
and if he lOiters he will get chilled; and
moreover he understands that industry is the
best cure Tor the loneliness OF his position.
At last he signals TO ascend, and he is
brought on board the tugb boat. The master.
wreCkcrs crowd about him for information.
Can the vessel be saved?' "She can" he
answers. The planking amidships, a few feet
above the keel, has been torn away; but she
holds together, and if the weather is fair she
may be atloat again in two weeks. The diver,
having removed his dress, then calmly sits
down to eat while preparations are making
for another descent
An old diver is as comfortable under water
as above, and can do eight hours work day
in seven or eight fathoms. AS the business
| is prccarious however, the men are pad $3.50
month, and supplied with board and lodg-
ing DO they serve an apprenticeship: Not
exactly that, but most Of them have been at
PENDANTS to other divers, and have picked up
the secrets in that way. II waited on man
myself, and didn't get promoted until knew
the service like a book says the diver. as he
! rises and calls for his boy. "All ready, Tom ?
Excuse me now, sir; its time to 20 down
again" And so he leaves us.
There are numerous other fine sketches,
much excellent poetry, numerous pictures,
some very funny, the Letter Box" "Jack-in.
the Pulpe,," &c, closing with the promise
OF thrilling Bear story in the next number
by Bret ITarlc.