Smyrna times., 1856-09-10

the channel, and the fearful situation is tol
upon his fathers hearth-stone.
Minutes of almost eternal lepptb roll m an
tnere were hundreds standing in the rock
enanhel' and hundreds on the bridge above, a
noluing their breath and awaiting that fearful
catastrophe. The poor boy hears the hum G
ne" ana numerous voices both above and below
lie can just distinguish the tones of his father
voice. who is shouting with all the energy O
despair" William William don't look dow,
your mother, and Henry, and Harriet, are al
mere praying for you. Keep your eyes TOWARD
the top"
The boy didn't look down-his ewes are fxef
IKE flint toward Heaven; and his YOUNG
neart on Him who reigns there. He grasp,
again his knife. He cuts another niche. and
another foot is added to the hundreds that 70.
moved him from human help below. How
carefully he uses his wasting blade! How
anxlously he selects the softest place in that
pier! How he avoids every finty grain How
he economlses his physical powcrs-restinp a
moment at each, again he cuts. How every
motion Is watched from below. There stand
MS father, mother, brother and sister. on the
very spot, where, if he falls, he will not fall
alone.
Inc sun Is half down the west. The lad has
haue nifty additional inches in the mighty wall.
ana now tnds himself directly under the mid
ole OF that vast arch of rocks, earth and treas.
lie must cut his way in new direction 70
get over this overhanging mountain. The
inspiration of hope is dying in his bosom; its
vital heat is fed by the increased shouts Of hmm.
dredS perched upon cliffs and trees. and others
who stand with ropes in their hands on tho
bridge above, or with the ladders below. Fnv
gains more must be cut before the longest rope
can reach him. His wasting blade again strikes
into the limestone.
lhe boy is emerging painfully, foot by foot,
from under the lofty arch. Spliced ropes are
ready IN the hands of those who are leaning
over the outer edge of the bridge. Two min.
ltes more, and all will be over. That blade is
worn to the last half inch. The bows head
'eeis' and his eyes are starting from their sock.
cts. His last hope is dying in his beart-b;s
lie must hang upon the last gain he cuts-
nat nlche Is his last. At the last faint cash
lie makes, his knife, his faithful knife. fall from
Ills hand, and ringing along the precipice. fell
1t his mothers feet.
An involuntary groan of despair runs like .
ieath-KneiI through the channel below, and all
s silent as the grave. At the height of nea
,hree hundred feet the devoted bow lift, his
hopeless heart and closing eyes to commend his
soul to God. STis but a moment-tbere one
oot swings over into eternity! Hark shont
alIs on his ear from above! The man who is
ylng with half his length over the bridge. has
glimpse of the boys head and shoulders
3glck as thought the noosed rope is within
reach OF the sinking youth. No one breatbes. |
" lth faint and convulsive effort, the swoon- |
ng boy drops his arms into the moose. Dark.
ness came over him, with the words. "God
Mother' whispered on his lips, just loud enough
o be heard in heaven, the tightening rope lifts
Inn out OF his last shallow niche. Not a lin
moves while ne is dangling over the fearful
lOyss; nut when sturdy Virginian reaches
o"n and draws up the lad, and holds him up in
lis arms before the fearful, breathless multitude
uch leaplng and weeping for joy pcver greeted
he ear of human being so recovered from tho
awning gulf of eternity.