The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-06-02
A Perilous Hour.

tired of q maritime life, and having married
and determined to stick to the shore, l go
work with builder whose peculiar line lay
in erecting tall chimneys. l had always I
very cool head and could stand on elevations
that made most men dizzy, and SO wal
soon favorite hand with my master. We
had on one occasion to fasten lightning
conductor which had sprung near the top o
avery high chimney, and Mr. Staining chose
myself and one James Colly to do it, as the
most daring of his men. About half dog
en- OF US went that morning with hand. cart
containing the necessary ropes, blocks, the
kite, and box or cradle. Having flown the
kite, and dropped its line across the top o.
the chimney, we soon drew up rope. at the
end of which was block, through which
ran the line whereby we were to be drawn
up. ... ... .l ..
Colly had only been married a fortnight
and as we stepped into the cradle, the men
bonteringly asked him if he hadn't last dy.
ing speech to leave for his wife and then
Mr.. Staining having shaken hands with
US, and bid US be cool and steady, we were
drawn slowly up. 1t was known all over
town that the conductor was to be fixed
though as the dOy was not named, did no,
expect we should have had many spectators;
but as we got higher, and the view opened
under our feet, I saw that the streets were
already thronged with starers. Colly was
very quiet, and when waived my cap to the
people, he said snoppishly that this was nc
time for such folly, and that he thought
might think Of better things than how to
nmuse those gaping fools, who, he dared say
desired no better fun than to see US meet
with an accident.
had come up in the best heart, thinking,
indeed, nothing about the danger we incur.
red but as we drew nearer and nearer to the
top, and had nothing, as it seemed, belong
ing TO this world, near US but this straning
rope, began to see the peril of the under.
taking. What Colly thought of it l don't
know-he sat at the bottom of the cradle
never looking out, though told him he
would do better to keep his eyes about him
SO that he might grow used to the height.
Good Heaven what was this ! Here we
wore within yurd OF tho top projecting cop.
ing, and still they were winding uwav. with
out Stacking speed, in the least! guessed
in moment that they mistook our height
and that, with the great purchase of the
windlas$, the rope would be broken when
the cradle came to the block, sprang up
and catching the rope, climbed hand over
hand to the coping CoIIy, too, sprang up
and followed me. He, too, got up safe and
still they went on winding up, ill the rope
sung again with the strain there was upon
it.
Then it snapped, and cradle, hauling-line,
and the main rope with its block, fell down.
Thus were we two poor men left in most
desperate situation.
Poor CoIIy was completely overcome with
fright and the m,ment he got on the cop.
ing, which was only foot and half broad
he called out: "Where can | pray where
can / kneel and pray!" and SO said very
solemnly :"Sit down, Jem, God will hear us
if we pray to him sitting down."
The color of his face was of a transparent
blue and it was distorted and twitching, as
if he was in fit. His eyes we're very wild,
and drawn into squint, and he couldn't sit
steady, but swuyed his body backward and
forward, so that | felt certain that he must
topple over.
"Come, Jem, lad" said, thinking to take
the fright off him "It's bad enough, but it
can't be pended. Hitch up bit, and put
your arm round the rod, may be it will steady
you."
"Where are you and where is the rod O.
he asked in q very hollow voice, though he
was looking straight at me, and the rod was
only foot OF two to his left. By this
knew he was gone blind with the fright; and
self.preservation said Don't go near him ;
but then Remembered his new-wedded wife.
and that taking him all through, he was al
ways very decent fellow and thought
how should have liked him to have done il
| had been in his case, SO I determined to
run bit of risk in his favor. OF course
burst not get on my feet; but working my.
self on by my hands, got to him and put
ting my arm round his waist, and telling him
as cheerily as I could to keep cool, 60,
him with his arm round the rod. 1t had
however, sprung the stopling for FIVE yards
down, and was so loose that it swayed with
him, and expected any minute to see him
falling head and heels down, and the rod
tearing away with him. v.
There was great hustle down below; peo'
pie were rushing round the yard and pushing
10 get in, but as yet there were but some
score of men at the foot of the chimney
and, by close looking, saw them put some
body on board, and carry him gently away
toward the engine house. One Of the mer
walked after with hat in his hand ther
| knew that somebody. had been hurt will
the falling cradle, and that it must be poo1
Mr.. Staining, as none Of our men wore hats
Not face was turned up to US. l learned
afterwasd that our men were 80 taken uE
with sorrow that so good man and 80 kint
master should be killed, that for while