The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-10-22
II EREhzENG ADVENTURE.

T EEsEkEsNG ADVENTURE
'Father will have done the great chimney
tonight, won't he mother ?" said little Tom
my Howard, as he stood waiting for his ia
theirs breakfast which he carried to him al
his work every morning.
Sic said that he hoped that all the scat
folding would be down tonight" answered
the mother, land that'll be fine sight; for
never like the ending of those great chimneys
it is so risky for father to be last up
''Oh, them but I'll go and seek him; and
help 'em to give a shout before he comes down
said Tom"
''And then" continued the mother, eff all
goes on right, we are to have frolic to-mor-
row, and into the country and take our din
mel, and spend all the day long in the woods "
'Hurrah !" cried Tom, as he ran off to his
fathers place OF work, with a can of milk il
one hand and some bread in the other His
mother stood at the door, watching him, as he
went merrily whistling 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 to protect and bless
her treasures
Tom with light heart pursued his way to
his father, and leaving him his basket went
to his own work, which was at some distance.
=
around to see how his father was getting
along.
James Howard, the father and number
Of other workmen had been building one of
those lofty chimneys which, i'll our manuGac-
turing towns, almost supply the place of 9TH
er architectural beauty, The chimney was of
the highest and most tapering that had ever
been erected, and as Tom shaded his eyes from
the slanting rays of the setting sun and look
ed up in search of his father his heart sank
within him at the appalling sight The scat
fold was almost down, those at the bottom
were removing the beams and poles TOMS
father stood alone at the top.
Lie then looked around to see that every
thing was right, and then waving his hat in
the air, the men below answered him with .
loud cheer, little Tom shouting as loud as any
OF them. AS their voices died away, however
they heard different sound cry Of horror
and alarm from above
The men looked around, and coiled upon
the ground lay the rope. which, before the
scaffolding was removed, should have been
fastened to The chimney, for Toms father to
come down by! The scalIolding had been
taken down without remembering to take the
rope up. There was dead silence They
all knew it was impossible to throw the rope
up high enough to reach the top of the Chin
ney, or even if possible it would not be safe
They stood in silent dismay, unable to give
any help Or think of any means of safety.
And Toms father. lie walked round and
round the little circle, the dizzy height seem
ing more and more fearful, and the solid earth
further and further from him. In the sudden
panic he lost his presence of mind, his senses
failed him. He shut his eyes he felt as if
the next moment he must be dashed to pieces
on the ground below
The day passed as industriousy as usual
with TOMS mother at home. She was al
ways busily employed for her husband or
children N some way or other and to-day she
had been harder at work than usual getting
ready for the holiday tomorrow. She had
lust finished her arrangements, and her
thoughts were silently thanking God for the
happy home, and for all those blessings when
Tom ran ill.,
His face was white as ashes, and he could
hardly get the words out Mother, Mother
he cannot get down."
''Who lad-thy father" asked the mo-
Their
''They have forgotten to leave him the
rope" answered Tom, still scarcely able to
speak. The mother started up horror struck
and stood for moment paralyzed, then press
ing her hands over her face, as if to shut out
the terrible picture, and breathing a prayer to
God for help, she rushed out Of the house.
When she reached the place where her hus-
band was at work, a crowd had gathered around
the foot of the chimney, and stood quite help
less, gazing up with faces full of sorrow
HE says he'll throw himself own"
''Thee munna do that lad, cried the wife,
with a clear, hopeful voice ''The munna do
that-wait bit. Take off thy stocking, lad,
and unravel it, and let down the thread with
a bit Of martur. Dost thou hear me, Jem ?"
The man made a sign of assent; for it
seemed as if he could not speak, and taking
Oft the stocking, nnraveled the worsted yarn,
row after row. The people stood around in
breathless silence and suspense wondering
what Toms mother could be thinking and
why she sent him in such haste for the car
penter's ball of Irvine.
"Let down one end of the thread with
bit Of stone, and keep fast hold of the other"
cried she to her husband The little thread
came waving down the tall chimney. blown
hither by the wind, but it reached the out
stretched hands that were waiting for it
Tom held the ball of Irvine while his mother
tied one end oft to the thread.
''Now pull it slowly" cried she to her hus-
band, and she gradually unwound the string
until 1t reached her husband. Now hold the
Suing Last dAtl pun, CTleQ she, and the StrlH.
got heavy and hard to pull, for Tom and his
mother had fastened thick rope to If. They
watched it gradually and slowly uncoiling
from the ground, and the string was drawn
higher.
There was but one coil left 1t had reach
ed the top Thank Cod" exclaimed the
wife She hid her face in her hands in silent
prayer, ard tremblingly reioiced. The iron
to which it should be fastened was there all
right-but would her husband be able TO make
use of it? Would not the terror of the past
have SO unnerved him as to prevent him from
taking the necessary measures for safety !?
She did not know the magical influence which
her few words had exercised over him She
did not know the strength with which the
sound Of her voice, so calm and steadfast. had
filled hIm-as If the thread that carried to
him tho hope of life once more, had conveyed
10 him some portion of that trust in God, which
nothing ever destroyed or shook in her pure
heart She did not know that as she waited
there, the words came over him, 'Why art
thou cast down, Omy soul, why art thou dis
Quoted within me hope thou in Col" She
lifted her heart to God for hope and strength,
but could do nothing more for her husband