The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1879-09-18
AREM,SIsoEScE oF NIAGARA.

q man got into the rapids here, having
been carried down 10 boat, which was
broken TO pieces. lie bad the good for.
tune TO be dashed on a rock, 10 which he
clung. 1t was at the height ofthe season
August II | recollect-and he elnng
there for fully thirty-six hours, Every.
body streamed out Of the hotels and the
village; the banks OF the river, particular.
ly on this side, were thronged with peo.
pie anxious to do something to save him.
Dozens OF plans were suggested; some
attempted, but all failed Thousands Of
dollars were offered TO anyone W ho would
rescue him. The desperate situation Of
the mau bad been telegrsphed all over
the country, aud every train brought
crowds OF passengers hither TO witness II
with their own eyes. lie was encouraged
by shouts from the banks, but whether
he could understand anything said is
doubtful.
The world ia said TO be sympathetic.
Il Is, or appears to be unsympathetic, be-
cause the object for which sympathy Ia
asked is abstract, When II is tangible,
visible, all is changed There was an
exemplfcation, This poor wretch could
be seen lie wssan ordinary uneducated
man; but he was a man, aud the brother
hood and sisterhood of the race went out
to him in pity and intense eagerness to
rescue him. Women of fashion, btdse
club men, selfish worldipgs, grew pale
AS they watched the unhappy wretch, so
vivid was their sympathy.
Many persons sat up all night looking
across the seething, roaring waters at the
small dark figure still clinging to the
rock. The morning came; renewed ef.
forts were made, but they ell miscarrled.
The crowd had increased; it was i'm
mense. Every ybody was excited. Tears
were in the women's eyes; the pallor
CLEANED through the rouge of some Of
their cheeks. Can't something be done
Must the poor fellow perish before our
Such questions were incessantly asked
but alas no reply could be given.
The man had good courage aud great
strength. He clung to the rock with the
desperation OF a dying soul. To lose bis
hold was to be dashed over the cataract.
Apparatus and contrivances arrived
from Buffalo. New experiments and new
failures. Hoarse shonts still rang across
the rapids TO hold on, TO be ofgood heart,
The stoutest heart that ever tbrobbod
could not gripe that rock forever. II
was wonderful how be had endured. A
fresh idea bad come TO the minds OF bali
dozen mechanics. They were lAboring
to throw out a hawser every muscle
was strained every eye was bent upon
their work.
Suddenly the mau slipped away. lie
was exhausted; be threw up bia arms; be
dashed toward the cataract. A low groan
as from one breast quaked through the
tbrong; the thousands sbivered with ter
ror. A black object for moment
longer in The hell OF the waters, and then
disappeared forever There was an
agony of relief. No one moved no one
spoke for while. All looked Ia the di.
rection where the figure had been swat
lowed up. II was the enchantment Of
terror; Il was the chill Of tragedy distinct
y wrought which froze everyone for the
moment TO the spot.
The old resident-he has lived here 40
years--says that on an average about six
persons are carried over the falls every
year, and that four out OF the six are
wholly Or partly intoxicated and lose
their lives by carelessness or reeklessness
In rowing above the rapids, going beyond
the line of danger. But for liquor, not
more than two lives, be says would be
lost annually.