Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-09-15
A SrEEpIE CIJMBFp NJ -,

A STEEPLE CLIMBER. mhabi
tants OF Manchester recollect with what eap-
eniess and anxiety man was watched for
many days adjusting the vane rod on the top of
the steeplc OF st. Mary's Church. MIR. Ste
phens in his travels in Greece, Russia, &c.
gives the following account OF similar ex-
plot at St. Petersburgh:
"On the banks of the Ncva stands the old
citadel, whose golden spirc rises tapering to
the sky, till it's almost fades away into moth
ing. being surmounted by large globe, on
which stands an angel, supporting Cross
Thisansel being made OF corruptible stuff, once
manifested symptoms of decay, and fears were
entertained that he would soon be numbered
with the fallen. Government became perplex-
Ell how to repair ii. for TO raise scafiolding To
such height would cost more than the angel
was worth. Among the crowd assembled to
gaze al IL from below was "A roofer of houses,
who, after longand silent examination, went
to the government and offered to repair il with
out any scafiolding or assistance of any kind.
His offer was accepted; and on the day APP
pointed Tor the attempt, provided with nothing
but coil OF cords, he assembled inside to the
highest window, and looking for moment at
the crowd below, and the spire tapering away
above him stood upon the outer ledge of the
window. The spire was covered with sheets
oil gildcd copper, which to the bcholders from
below, presented only smooth surface of
FURNISHED gold but the sheets were roughly
laid, and fastened by large nails which projec-
ted from the sides OF the spirc. He cut two
pieces OF cord, and tied loops at each end of
both, fastened the upper loops over two projec-
ting nails, aud stood with his feet i'm the low
er;-then, clenching the fingers of one hand
over the rough edges of the sheets of copper,
raised himself till he could hitch one OF the
loops on higher nail with the other hand he
did the same for the other loop, and so he
raised one leg after the other, and at length as
cended, nail by nail stirrup by stirrup, till he
clasped his arms round the spire, under the
ball. Here IL seemed impossible to 90 any
farther, for the ball was ten or twelve leet i'm
circumference, with a smooth and glittering
surface, and no projecting nails and the angel
was above the ball, as completely out of sight
as ii 1t were in the habitation of its prototypes.
But the daring rooier was not disheartened.-
Raising himself in the stirrups, he cncrcled
the spire with a cord, which he tied round his
waist and, so supported, leaned gradually back
until the soles of his feet were braced against
the spire and his body fixed horizontally in the
air. In this position he threw a cord over the
ball, and threw ii so cody and skillfully, that
at the first attempt it fell down OH the Other
side, just as he wanted it then he drew him.
sell up to his original position, and by mean.
oil the cord, climbed over the smooth sides o.
the dome, and ina few moments, amidst thun
ders OF applause from the crowd below, which
at that height sounded only like faint muir
muir, he stood at the side of the angel. Aftel
attaching cord TO ii he descended, and tn,
next day he carried up with him ladder o.
ropes, and effected the necessary repairs.