=l. 73.= =Curtius= (Mettus, or Mettius), a young Roman who sacrificed his life for his country’s welfare, B.C. 362. A chasm had opened in the forum, and the soothsayers declared that it could only be filled by casting into it that which was most precious in Rome. Curtius appeared on horseback, clad in full armor, and leaped into the abyss, crying as he did so, “Rome has no greater riches than courage and arms!” According to tradition, the chasm at once closed over him. 60. JIM BLUDSO. By John Hay. John Hay, our present (1900) Secretary of State, and recently United States Ambassador to Great Britain, was born in Salem, Indiana, October 8, 1838. He has long been connected with the diplomatic service. During the Civil War he was a private secretary to President Lincoln, and in conjunction with John G. Nicolay is the author of the most complete biography of Lincoln published. Jim Bludso was Oliver Fairchild, the engineer of the steamer _Fashion_. Mr. Hay is unable to fix the date of the disaster to the _Fashion_. 61. GEORGE NIDIVER. Anonymous. 62. A MAN’S NAME. By Richard Realf. Richard Realf. See note on “The Defense of Lawrence.” David Simmons, railroad engineer, was killed in the disaster near New Hamburgh, New York, on the Hudson River, February 6, 1871. 63. THE MAN WHO RODE TO CONEMAUGH. By John Eliot Bowen. John Eliot Bowen, a journalist and the translator of Carmen Sylva’s “Songs of Toil,” who was for a number of years connected with _The Independent_, was born in Brooklyn, New York, June 8, 1858, and died in the same city, January 3, 1890. The bursting of the dam upon the south fork of the Conemaugh River took place on the afternoon of May 31, 1889. It is stated that sixteen million tons of water were precipitated down the Conemaugh valley upon Johnston, Conemaugh, and various smaller towns. A conservative estimate of the loss of life gives it as three thousand, though some reports place it as high as five thousand. The name of the hero who rode in front of the flood, giving the alarm, was Daniel Peyton, or Periton. The following poem, by an anonymous hand, pays tribute to the rider’s bravery and self-sacrifice. DANIEL PERITON (May 31, 1889.) Now that the land lies stricken By a deluge dire and dread, And the bravest spirits sicken At thought of the doomed and dead, Let a chord of praise be smitten For the hero-hearted one, And a requiem song be written For Daniel Periton! Go not to your olden story For one with a deathless name!-- With never a dream of glory, With never a heed of fame, He dashed through the fated city And called to the folk to fly; O God of infinite pity, Would all might have heard his cry!