The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-10-31
NO. 90.


back to standing position, and said to
Mr. c., think it too hazardous un-
dertaking to descend that ladder merely
to crafty curiosity. Mr.. G. replied
there would be no danger, Is he had
been down it many time, in theisum
mer season-aud Immediately started
upon the descent. After few minutes
called to Mr.. C. to know how the land
lay. He replied all right, there is no
danger. I, from an impulse of ambition
entertained by me at that day, said
~ can do anything that you can do
and Immediately followed him, and Mr..
A. followed me- We descended slowly
and cautiously, By encircling the rounds
of the ladder with our arms, and BY the
time we were half way down We hailed
and discussed the question whether We
had not better abandon the journey and
return. It was finally decided to pro-
ceed. After reaching the bottom, and
survey of eur lower region location, We
found our situatiun most gloomy and
frightful-no living creature or thing to
be seen-not even a snow bird, and no
enliyening ray of the sun to cheer US,
as it was a cloudy day. On looking up
upon the ladder on which We descended,
each round was made about six inches
in diameter, by ths ice which CONCEALED
to it, aud four inches from each rave Of
the ladder, the rounds were connected
together by solid ice. For myself,
felt that I had at last landed in the
Horrible PIT" not of s'miyy clay,n but
of frozen waters, and the freezing spray
fIom the great cataract.
We gave but casual glance at the
object of our pursuit We did not en-
joy the view of the leaping, tumbling,
ocean of waters from the VI per world
The question was. how should 80 return.
We we're willing to travel many miles
rather than to ascend that ladder.-On
taking survey and examination Of the
desolate regions around as We found
there was no other way of getting into
the world above again, but By that lad
der Mr.. A. was 40 years old, weight
200 lbs. Mr.. G. so years, Dir. r. rs,
weight of each $50 lbs. Mr.. A and G.
at that moment, undoubtedly thong of
wife and children, as surely as I did Of
parents, sisters, brothers, and friends.--
We seated ourselves upon bculd Office
and attempted in rather gloomy tone
of voice to cheer each other up to the ac-
oomplishment of the task before Us, and
we came to the conclusion that as we had
come down safely, we could return safe
ly, if our nerves did not fail us. After
sitti1g little time upon the ice with
folded arms, felt had become sufh-
cieutly cool and collected to make
moxe up the Ladder, I lead of, Mr.. G.
followed, and Mr. A. the oldest and
heaviest man. brought up the rear.
After journeying for little, Mr.. G.
and myself commenced conversation, for
the purpose of cheering each other up,
but Mr. A. was speechless. neither
looked up or dewn, and knew not what
position 1 was in, as to distance in the
journey, until my arm encircled the top.
most round of the ladder upon the bank.
I then sang out--"I AN uP.--ls THR
WORLD AGAIS!n Mr.. c. WIS close at
my heels, but on looking down, Mr. A.
some 20 feet below, and apparently
greatly fatigued. We spoke cheering
words to him; and he soon arrived Nth.
in our grasp-speechless and almost
senseless, with a face sufficiently white
for shroud, we had him sitting beside
US on the bank. After reviving 4 little,
he stated that he had got along yery
we'll until he looked down to ascertain
what progress he had made; that look
bedizzened his head, and about the time
I sang out II am up" he felt that he
must fall, he believed that annornoe-
mcnt saved his life.
We then returned to the public house
and reported our adventures; it brought
the citizens of the place who were pres.
ent upon their feet insurprise--and some
of them said they had frequently been
down the ladder when clear Of ice; but
no amount of money would tempt them
to the undertaking at that time.
l think if that performances could be
re-enected at this day, as then, by three
pioneer Yankees, it would attract nearly
as large crowd of people as did the
leap of Sam Patch.
Now the observance Of the resolve.
II can do anything that you can, is
in a young man, if ehe un.
lertaking or enterprise is laudabls
praiseworthy; but the breach of the
and foolhardy one I hare
ust related, is more commendahle than
IN adherence to it. Mr.. A. some few
1ears since departed from this world of
and chasms, and I trust his
pirit ascended the ladder to the realms
f bliss, as b 3 was man Of prayer. Mr..
J. and Mr.. r. ststill live" = Betaria
4dp.
E A preacher Of Nashville. some
inc since, made the following distihc-
4 - =