The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-03-07
A Thrilling Sketch.
THE WORSTED STOCKING.

THE following thrilling adventure is
from an English Magazine:]
"Father will have done the great Chin
ney tonight, won't he mothers" said lit
tie Tom Howard, as he stood waiting
for his fathers breakfast, which he carried
to him at his work every morning.
He said he hoped all the scaffolding
would be down tonight" answered his
mother "and that'll he fine sight; for
never like the ending of those great chin
neys; it's so risky; thy fathers to be the
last up"
"And then," continued his mother. "if
all goes on right, we are to have frolic
tomorrow, and go into country; and take
our dinners, and spend all day amongst
the woods"
"Hurrah " cried Tom, as lie ran off to
his fathers place Of work, with can of
milk in one hand and some bread in the
other. His mother stood at the door,
watching him as he went merrily whist
ling down the street, and then she thought
Of the dear father he was going to, and
the dangerous work he was engaged in,
and then her heart sought its sure refuge
and she prayed to God to protect and
bless her treasures.
Tom, with light heart, pursued his
way to his father, and leaving him his
breakfast, went to his own work, which
was at some distance. In the evening,
on his way home, he went round to see
how his father was getting on. James
Howard, the father, and number of 9th
er workmen had been building one of
those lofty chimneys, which, in our great
manufacturing towns, almost supply the
place OF other architectural beauty. This
chimney was one of the highest and most
tapering that had ever been erected and
as Tom, shading his eyes from the slant
ing rays of the setting sun looked up to
the top in search Of his father, his heart
almost sunk within him at the appalling
sight. The scaffolding was almost all
down; the men at the bottom were re
moving the last beams and poles, Toms
father stood alone at the top. He looked
all round to see that every thing was
right, and then waving his hat in the air,
the men below answered him with long,
loud cheer, little Tom shouting as hearth
ly as any Of them. AS their voices died
away, however, they heard very differ
ent sound--a cry of alarm and horror
from above! "The rope! the rope ~
The men looked round and, coiled upon
the ground, lay the rope, which before
the scaffolding was removed, should have
been fastened to the top of the chimney
for Toms father to come down byl The
scaffolding had been taken down, without
their remembering to take the rope up
There was dead silence. They all knew
1t was impossible TO throw the rope up
high enough, or skilfully enough, to reach
the top of the chimney; or if it could, i,
would hardly have been safe. They stood
in silent dismay unable to give any help,
or think of any means Of safety.
And Toms father. He walked round
and round the little circle, the dizzy height
seeming every moment to grow more fear.
ful, and the solid earth further and further
from him. In the sudden panic he lost
his presence Of mind, and his senses al.
most failed him. He shut his eyes; he
felt as if the next moment he must be
dashed to pieces on the ground below.
The day had passed as industriously
and as swiftly as usual, with Toms moth
er at home. She was always busiy EN-
ployed for her husband and children, in
some way or other; and to-day she had
been harder at work than usuaI getting
ready for the holiday tomorrow. She
had Just finished her preparations, and
her thoughts were silently thanking God
for her happy home, and for all the bless.
ings Of life when Tom ran 10. His face
was rs white as ashes, and he coald hard
| ly get his words ont:
"Motber! mother! lie caupa get
down."
"Wbo, lsAi Thy fatherl" asked the
mother.
\ They've forgotten TO leave him the
rope" answered Tom, still scarcely able
to speak. His mother started up, horror
struck, and stood for moment as fpar.
alyzed; then pressing her hands over hel
face as IL to shut out the terrible picrrs
and breathing prayer TO God Tor help
she rushed out Of the house.