The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1882-12-01
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w. C. T., U. COLUMN.
Over the Fails.

cry "Gcd help the mother's! was
wrung from many a sympathizing
heart on hearing it.
1t had been a matchless day, q
midsummer day in ali lis perfectness.
Lured by its beauty, three young
men had launched their little sklf,
some miles above the falls, and gone
out for a day Of pleasure, Not a
thought of harm came TO them in
that glad bright hour. There was
scarce a::ripple upon the waters be-
meath them, nor cloud in the blue
skies above them; and as to the falls,
they were miles away. Satiated at
last with enjoyment they leaned up
on their oars and let themselves drift
with the current. Thus inactive,
sleep stole down and laid its hands
upon them, and one after the other
yielded and slept heavily.
"a boat is drifting toward the
rapids!" began to echo along the
shores, and feet to harry anxiously.
The boat had now lett tln calm wa
ters upon which it had been launched
and the rapids were around it; but
the ones within needed it not. "Ho!
there!" came from the shore, from
those who saw the danger.
''The rapids! Up with you; the falls
are nearing youe'
Still not a movement within the
little boat. The waves splashed
round it mockingly, and the ones
lining tie rivers bank grew wild
with excitement. At last q voice
clearer and sharper than the others,
broke through the heavy slumber,
and the sleeping ones started up and
with one look took in their situation.
A moment of frantic endeavor to
turn their course and the next the
boat lies bottom upwards, and two
of it's late occupants are shot like ar
rows over the falls and are seen no
more. The third is seen to catch at
young sapFing in the midst OF the
roaring food, and then to draw him
self up on to- a decayed tree-srunk.
But can a boat reach him there?
Eagerly the ones beyond set to- work.
But each of their attempts falls back
failure. Two days and nights he
clings and the ones on shore work.
and then boat touches his. resting
place, and murmur of relief rises
from the waiting crowd. An in
slant of suspense, and then like a
knell goes out the cry. "Lost aG last!''
Loosening his grip upon the tree
TO slip within the boat, benumbed
with cold and perfectly exhausted y,
the unfortunate man had made a
misstep, and slipping into the water,
the long cheated waves caught HIM
up and hurried him away as though
hungry for their prey.
Three young men in all the
strength of their manhood, swept
over! Three homes left desolate!
But. how about the young men
who, in the freshness OF their bud
ding years, are swept over into ruin
by the waters of strong drink? Over
the falls they 60! Who mourns them?
And how of thousand of others
who to-day are drifting to take their
places, drifting with the current
with no thought of harm-how OF
them, we say?
Gaily they launch their little crafts,
with blue skies above and clear wa
ters beneath them; no thought OF
harm comes to them. II they think
Of the falls below them into which
some are precipitated. it is only to
remember how far they are adove
them; and te,rejoice IN their security.
LulIed by beauty upon every hand,
the strength of tie current they are
upon is forgotten. They allow their
oars to, lie quietly beside them while
they drift with the current. Perhaps
same cautious one along the shore
calls to them that they are drifting,
but only a mocking laugh is thrown
back for answer. With every manly
resolution lulled to slumber they drift
on, unconscious Of how the smooth
waters are being left behind, and the
olgher ones are near ring them.
Those along the shore call out again:
''Hold on there! You are drifting too
near the falls - But no answer comes
from the little boat.
"Let them alone," comes from the
lips of Indifferent ones among the
crowd. "Let them alone. IT'S a. free
country!" And, when. they see their
words unheeded by the eager. anx-
ions ones, "Fanaticism" is thrown
out upon them, like a sting. But
still the anselfish make efforts: to