Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-05-16
THE MAN IN THE CHIMNEY.

The Syracuse Journal relates the follow
ing, as an incident happening the other
night at the Empire House, in that city
WHO WAS SOLD 7?
"Help help! I'm suffocating! get me
out! quick ! or / shall dep
Such were the words, uttered in sepul-
chral tones, that resounded through some
of the apartments of the Empire House,
after the boarders had retired to their
beds last night. OF course they struck
terror through the souls of the sympathet-
ic inmates, and aroused their dormant en-
ergies to instant investigation as to the
source from whence the sounds proceed
and undressed women to the halls. Bells
were rung and servants and guests joined
in the search.
Help! help! tear down the house !!
get me out p continued the same mystic
rious voice.
Who are you? Where are you p
What shall we do? Where can we find
your" were the interrogatories uttered
by the bewildered searchers in as many
different parts Of the house.
"Here in the chimney--choking, suffo-
eating head foremost down the chimney.
Do get me outl'
From room to room, and hall to hall,
the philanthropists rushed, calling to the
unfortunate to be patient, and they would
extrieate him as soon as possible. A do
zen stove-pipes were removed and mouths
were applied to the smoke-holes, inquiring
the whereabouts Of the hopeless being,
who could not be expected to hold out
long in such dangerous position. But
still the voice was from a distance.
cit is higher up" said one.
He must be lower down" said anoth-
er. sysossssae
"He is in the top of the chimney" said
third and away they rushed to the
staircase, and speedily the male members
of the crowd stood on the roof of the EN-
pire, inquiring at the tops of the different
chimneys:
Where are your" timidly inquired
one of the females en- dishabaIe, cautiously
venturing near the chimney hole in her
room.
Down here, close by these women,"
replied the voice.
The inquirer rushed down stairs, her
steps fastened by the piteous appeals Of
the sufferer for help.
He is not here" said one.
Why don't they get him out ?" uttered
a delicate voice, whose owner had not
dared to venture out Of her room before.
" Is it man ?"
els it woman 2"
Who is it 2"
What is it?" passed in quick success
sion from one to the other, and general
alarm and CONSERVATION prevailed, amid
which the bewildered women heard some
one say, it. is Phil Rust's ghostl"
I'm dying, dying, dying" family
muttered the mysterious voice, and the
death rattle was heard, as though the poor
victim was about to give up the ghost.
Courage, mani we'll have you out
Here, take hold of this rope" and the
searchers on the house-top let down a
long rope, procured for the purpose.
All now was in a state of excitement
unsurpassed. The anxious searchers
needed not the cold night wind. Their
work was one Of mercy, and like true
hearted men, they were determined thai
no effort should be spared to rescue a hu
man being from such an awful fate if pos
sible.
Il can't reach itp' family echoed the
voice, and lower down went the rope.
More rope, little more-more YETI
and the hearts Of the rescuers leaped foi
Joy, and their spirits rose in anticipation
of success, while all gathered closer, pre-
pared to lend their energies for " a Ions
pull, and strong pull, and a pull all to
gether."
"A little more rope" implored the sui
ferer, but alas the whole length of tn
rope had been let down. A few minutes
however, sufficed to procure another, whicl
after splicing, was let down till the voic
responded
Enough There now pull r