The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-09-07
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Thrilling Adventure.

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"Father will have done the great Chin
ney tonight, won't he, mothcr9' said lit
tie Tommy Howard, rs he stood waiting
for his fathers breakfast, which he carried
10 him at his work every morning. ~
/" He said that he hoped that all the
scaffolding would be down tonight" an
swered the mother, sand thal'll be fine
sight; for I never like the ending Of those
chimneys; it is so risky for father, to be
last up" 50 ..,-
"Oh, then, but I'll go and seek him
and help 'em to give a shout afore he
comes down." said Tom.
"And. then," continued the mother,
" if all goes on right, we are TO have a
frolic tomorrow, aud go into the country,
and take our dinner, and spend all the
day in the woods" :,
"Hurrah! " cried Tom, as he 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 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 10 protect and bless
her treasure. ..
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 around to see
how his father was getting on.
James Howard, the father, and mum
ber of other workmen, had been building
one of those lofty chimneys which, in
our manufacturing towns, almost supply
the place of other architectural beauty.
The chimney was ofthe highest and most
tapering that had ever been erected, and
as Tom shaded his eyes from the slant
ing rays of the setting sun, and looked
up in search of his father, his heart sank
within him at the appalling sight. The
scaffold was almost down, the men at the
bottom were removing the beams and
poles. Toms father stood alone at the
top.
He then looked around to see that ev-
erything was right, and then, waving his
hat in the air, tho men below answered
him with long, loud cheer little Ton
shouting as loud as any of them. As
their voices died away, however, they
heard different sound, a cry of horror
and alarm from above. The men looked
around, and coihed upon the ground. lay
the rope, which before the scafolding
was removed should have been fastened
to the chimney, for Toms father to como
down by The scafolding had been ta-
ken down without remembering to take
the rope up. There was n dead silence
They all knew it was impossible to throw
the rope up high enough to reach the. tor
of the chimney, or even if possible it WOO
hardly be safe. They stood in silent dis
may, unable to give any help or think o
any means of safety. ..st o.
And Toms father. He walked rount
and round the little circle, the dizzy heigh
seemed more and more fearful, and thu
solid earth further and further away from
him. In the sudden panic he lost his,pre
sence of mind-his senses failed him.
lie shut his eyes; he felt rs if the mex
moment he must be dashed to pieces ol
the ground below. r
Tho day passed as industriously a
usual with Toms mother at home. Sh,
was always busily employed for her hus
band aud children in some way or Other
and to-day she had been harder at yorl
than usual, getting ready for the holida
to morrow. She had just finished he
arrangements, and her thoughts were 81
lently thanking God for the. happy home
and for all those blessings, when Tor
ran in.
His face was white as ashes, and h
could hardly get the words out: "Motf
er! mother! he cannot get DOWN.
"Who, lad-thy fatherG' asked th
mother. .,
"Thcy have forgotten to leave him th
rope, answered Tom, still scarcely alb
TO speak. The mother started up no
[ror struck, and stood for a moment pa
alyzed, then pressing her hands over hc
| face, as ifto shut out the terrible pictur
and breathing prayer to God for hel