Connecticut western news., 1889-08-07
IN 4 9 RENERTOLR.

IN Al REYERTOIR. Thirty years ago, you might have seen some of the best society of New York on the top of the Distributing Reservoir at 42d street, any fine Octo- Der morning. There were two or three carriages in waiting, and half dozen senatorial-looking mothers with young children pacing the parapet, as we ourselves, one day in the past genera ton, basked there in the sunshine now watching the pickerel that glided along the lucid edges of the black pool within, and now looking off upon the scene of rich and wonderous variety that spreads along the two broad and beautiful rivers on each side.
 ssThey may talk of Alpheus and Arethusa," murmured an Idling soph- omore, who had found his way thither during recitation hours, "but the Cro- ton, in passing over an arm of the sea st Spuyten-Duyvil, and bursting to sight again in this truncated pyramid, beats it all hollow. By George, too, the bay wonder looks as blue as ever the Egean Sea to Byron's eye gazing from the Acropolisl Did you see that pike break, sir?"
 ssI did not" s'His silver fin flashed upon the black Acheron, like restless soul that hoped yet to mount from the pool"
 "The place seems suggestive of fan cies to you?" we observed in reply to the rattlepate. sa-
 "It is, indeed; for have done up good deal of anxious thinking within 8 circle of few yards where that fish broke just now. Shall I tell you about it?"
 ''Pray do."
 "Well, you have seen the notice for bidding any one to fish in the Reser- voir. Now, when I read that warning, the spirit of the thing struck me at once as inferring nothing more than that one should not sully the temper ance potations of our citizens by steep ing bait in it of any kind; but you probably know the common way of taking pike with slip-noose of deli cate wire. was determined to have touch at the fellows with this tackle.
 s'I chose a moonlight night; and an hour before the edifice was closed to visitors I secreted myself within the walls, determined to pass the night on the top. All went as could wish it. The night proved cloudy, but it was only a variable drift of broken clouds which obscured the moon. l had a walking-cane rod with me which would reach to the margin of the water, and several feet beyond if necessary. To this was attached the wire, about if teen inches in length.
 "I prowled along the parapet for { considerable time, bnt not a single fisl could I see. The clouds made flick ering light and shade, that wholly foil ed my steadfast gaze. Twas convinced that should they come up thicker, m, whole nights adventure would b, thrown away. sWhy should not de scend the sloping wall and get neare on level with the fish, for thus alon can hope to see one?' The question had hardly shaped itself in my min' before had one leg over the iron rail ing.
 elf you look around you will SC now that there are some half-doZe weeds growing here and there ami, the Assures of the solid masonry. Il one Assures from whence these spring I planted foot and began my descent The Reservoir was fuller than it is now and { few strides would have carrie me to the margin of the water. Hold ing on to the cleft above, felt roun with one foot for place to plant below me.
 "In that moment the flap of poun pike made me look round, and tt root of the weed upon which 1 partia ly depended gave way as I was in Il act of turning. Sir, ones senses al sharpened in deadly peril: as I liy now, distinctly heard the bells ( Trinity chiming midnight, as I rose the surface the next instant, immerse in the stone caldron, where I mu swim for my life, heaven only coul tell how long!"
 "I am capital swimmer; and tn naturally gave me degree of self-po session. Falling as had, of cour had pitched out some distance fro the sloping parapet. A few strok brought me to the edge. l really w not vet certain but that could clamb up the face of the wall anywhere.
 hoped that could.
 "I tried the nearest spot. The cIination of the wall was so vertic that it did not even rest mo to le' against t, felt wifb my hanas a
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