Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-06-09
A PcrilOus Hour.

was apprenticed to a decorative paint,
er. but being of bold, darger-loving
turn, | ran away to sea before my time was
out. After some years Of knocking about
| got tired of maritime life, and having
married and determined to stick to the
shore, got work with a builder whose
peculiar line lay in erecting tall chimneys
had always very cool head, and could
stand on elevations that would make most
men dizzy, and SO l was soon a favorite
hand with my master. We had an ocGa-
sion to fasten a lightning conductor which
had sprung near the top of a very high
chimney, and Mr.. Staining chose myself
and one James Colly to do it, as the most
daring of his men. About half dozen
of us went that morning with hand cart.
containing the necessary ropes, blocks, the
kite. aud box or cradle. Having flown
the kite. and dropped its line across the
top of the chimney, we soon drew up a
rope. at the end OF which was a. block
through which ran the line by which we
were to be drawn up
Colly had only been married a fortnight;
aad as we stepped into the cradle, the men
banteringly asked him if he hada't last
dying 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
the town that the conductor was 10 be fix
ed. though as the day was not named.
did not expect we should have many spec
tators; but as we got higher, and the view
opened under our feet, | saw that the
streets were already thronged with starers.
Colly was very quiet; and when waived
my hat to the people. he said snappishly
that this was no time for such folly, and
he thought might be thinking of better
things than how to amuse these gaping
tools, who, lie dared say, desrod no bet
ter fun than to see us meet with an acci-
dent.
| had come up in the best heart, think
ing. indeed. nothing Of the danger we in.
CURED; but as we drew nearer and nearer
TO the tep. and had nothing. as it seemed,
belonging to this world near to us but this
straining rope. l began to see the peril of
the undertaking. What Colly thought of
it, don't know-he sat at the bottom of
the cradle, ever looking out. though told
him he would 60 better to keep his eyes
about him, so that he might grow used to
the height.
Good Heaven! what was this? Here we
were within yard of the top proiec ing
coping, and still they were winding away
not Stacking speed In the least! l guess
ed in a moment that they mistook our
height, and that with the great purchase Of
that windlass the rope would be broken
when it came to the block. Isprang up,
and catching the rope. climbed hand over
hand to the coping CoIy. too, sprang up
and followed me. He. too. got up safe;
and still they went on winding up. winding
up. till the rope sung again with the strain
there was upon it,
Then it snapped, and cradle, hauling
line. and the main rope with it's block, fell
down. Thus were we two poor men left
in most desperate situation.
| Poor Colly was completely dazcd with
alright; and the moment he got upon the
coping. which was only a 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 transpa-
rent blue; and distarted and twitching,
as if he was in fit. His eyes were very
wild. and drawn into squint. and he could
Mt sit steady. but swayed his body back
ward and forward. 80 that felt certain he
must topp'e ever. ~
Come, Jem. my lad said. thinking
! to take the fright off bin, it's bad enough
but it can be mended. Hitch up bit and
put your arm around the rod, may be it
will steady you
Where are you? and where is this rode'
he asked in very hollow voice. though he
was looking straight At me, and the rod
was only foot or two to his left By