It was the Wall street ferry, and a great many bankers and rich merchants used to cross daily also.
One of these was a Mr.Clayton, a wholesale dry-goods merchant, immensely rich, whom I knew by sight, though I had never spoken to him.

It was one Thursday morning--I remember even the day of the week--when the boat was unusually full.

Mr.Clayton was leaning against the side-railing talking to a friend, when all at once the railing gave way, and he fell backward into the water, which immediately swallowed him up." "Merciful man!" ejaculated Aunt Deborah, intensely interested.

"Go on, Ferdinand." "Of course there was a scene of confusion and excitement," continued Ferdinand, dramatically.

'Man overboard! Who will save him ?' said more than one.