The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-12-09

hsppy, and you shall marry her, my lad, as
soon after the day Of the procession as you
and She please. There's my hand on it,"
Therewas not happier man that evening
within the precincts Of Vienna than Gabriel,
The gardener, al,hotgh he we'll knew that he
wAs attempting most perilous enterprise,
and one ss likely as not to result In his
death. He made all necessary arrange.
ments in case of that event, especially In
reference to the comfort Of On only sister
who lived with him, end whom be WIS care.
full to keep in ignorance Of bic Intended
venture. This done, he iesished himself
to dream all night Of tdmBllng fruth terrific
heights, and all day of bis approaching hap |
piness. Meanwhile, Ottkar swallowed bis
chsgrin as he best might, aid kept alooi
from Master Joss /: but he might have been
seen holding frequent and secret communi.
cations with Lawrence, the man who assist.
ed the sacristun in the cure of the church.
The day OF the young emperor's triumph.
al entry arrived. He was not expected to
reach Vienna before evening and at the
appointed hour the sacrsian embraced Ga.
briel. and, giving him the banner Of the
House of Austria, gorgeously embroidered,
said: ""Now, my boy, up in Gods name =
Follow Lawrence he'll guide you safely to
the top Of the spire, and afterwards assistyou
in coming down."
Five hundred and fifty steps TO the top Of
the tower Mere child's play-the young
gardener flew up them with joyous STEP
Then came two hundred wooden stairs over
the clock-tower and belfry then FIVE steep
ladders up the narrow pinnacle. Courage |!
A few more bold steps-halfan hour ofperl
then triumph, reward, the priests bless
ing, and the joyful "Yes !" before the altar.
All, how heavy was the banner to drag up.
wurds-how dark the straight, stony shaft
Hold, there is the trap.door. Lawrence,
and an assistant who accompanied him, push
/ ed Gabriel through.
"That's it !" ".cred Lawrence "you'll see
the iron steps and the clamps to hold on by
outside only keep your head steady
When 'lis your time to come down. hail Us
and we'll throw you rope ladder with
} hooks. Farewell - As he said these
words, Gtbriel had passed through the trap.
door, and with feet and hunds clingng tc
, the iron projections, felt himself hanging
over tremendous precipice, while the colo
| evening bret re rvfll his hair. He had still
7 burdened as he was with the banner, t
D steady himself on part OF the spire sculp
tufed In the s!militude of rose, and thel
aftet two or three daring steps still higher
e to bestflde the very pinnacle, and wave hi
r gay gold hns'
{ "May God be tnetciftl 10 me !" sighes
e the poor lad, as glancing downward on tn
busy streets, lying so fur beneath, the who'll
extent of his danger flushed Upon him: HI
b felt so lonely, SO utterly forsahen in tha
h desert of the upper air, and ihs ii del win
strove with him, and struggled to wrest tn
y
n Annie, it's for thee ~ he murmured, and til
d sound of that sweet name nerve3 him 10 en-
e durance. He wound his left arm tirml
y round the iron bar which supported the stal
:, surmounted by a crescent, that served as
weathercock, and with the right waved th
a. flag, which tapped and rustled like the win
f. Of some bird of prey. The sky-how nea
it seemed-grew dark above his head, an
'e the lights and bonfires glanced upwards froI
N the great city below. But the cries Of re
le ioicing came family to his ear, until one Ions
d. continued shout, mingled with the sound c
~ drums and trumpets, announced the appronc
o. of Leopold.
lg "HuzEa huzza long live the emperor
10 shouted Gabriel, and waved his banner prou
ly. But the deepening twilight and the dl
& ~ height rendered him unseen and unhea
In by the busy crowd below. ..-..
er The deep voice OF the cathedral clock to
10 ed the hour.
SHOW my task is ended" sail Gabri'
I'm drawing deep sigh of relief, and shiveri
g. in the chilly breeze. SNOW have only
'rt get down and give the signal"
o' More heedfully and slowly than he had 4
se cended, he began his descent. Only on
ou he looked upward to the golden star and Gre
s's cent, now beginning 10 look colorlsss agar
10 the dark sky. s-,...
'y "Ha ," said he, "doesn't 1t look how a'
vi that heathehish Thrk Of crescent @efe NJ
ding and wishing tfe an evil good might
Be quiet. Mohommed I"
=. A few more courageous steps landed b
l"' once more amid the petals of the gigan
'%'' % sculpthred rose, which offered the BEST
'"0 ~" deed the only coigne Of vantage for his f
!, to rest on. ..- ..-
a. He furled his banner tightly togethers
:, shouted "Hollo, Lawrence !Albert hel
,rSI throw me up the ladder and the hooks"
liz. No answer.
"A. More loudly and shrilly did GabrielreIt
md ate the call.
Not word, not stir below.
IVA "Holy Virgin can they have forgot
res me Or have they fallen asleep !" CT
the Ioor fellow aloud and the sighing W
:. seemed to answer like mocking demon
= "Wh,t shall do What will becom'
ana me r.
38 .....l.s .ayesSs :. -. ~ AapAN