The weekly union record., 1864-08-27
A PERILOUS HOUR.

L was apprentlced 10 decorative painter ;
but being of bold, danger 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. l had always a cool
head, and could stand on elevations that made
most men dizzy, and so l was favorite hand
with my master.
We had Oh one occasion TO fasten a lightning
conductor, which had sprung near the top of
very high chimney, and Mr.. Staining chose
myself and one James Colly to do it, as the
most daring of bis men. And half dozen of
US went that morning with hand cart contain
ing the necessary ropes, blocks, the kite, and
box or cradle. Having flown the kite and
dropped its line across the top of the chimney.
we soon drew up rope, at the end of which
was block, through which ran the line where
by we were TO be drawn up.
Colly had only been married fortnight
and as we stepped into the cradle, the men
banteringly asked him if he hadn't last dying
speech 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 conduct
or was to be fixed, though as the day was not
named did not expect we should have many
spectators but as we got higher, and the
view opened under our feet saw that the
streets were already thronged with s'arers.
Colly was very quiet, and when l waved my
cap to the people, he said, snappishly, that
this was no time for such folly, and that he
thought might think Of better things than TO
amuse those gaping fools, who be dared say,
desired no better thing than to see US meet
with an accident.
had come up in the best heart, thinking in-
deed, nothing about the danger we incurred
but as we drew nearer and nearer TO the top,
and had nothing, as it seemed, belonging TO
this world 1ear to US but this strainlDg rope,
began to see the peril OF the undertaking.
What Colly thought of it don't know. He
sat at the bottom of the cradle, uearer looking
out, though | told him be would do better TO
keep his eyes about him, so that be might grow
used to the hight.
Good heaven what was this? Here we
were within yard of the top projecting cop
ping, and still they were winding away
without Stacking the speed in the least /
guessed in a moment they mistook our hight,
and that with the great purchase OF that wind
ass the rope would be broken when the era
die came 10 the block. l had spruug up aud
catching the rope, climbed hand over band to
the coping. Colly, too, sprang up aud fol-
lowed me- He, too got safe; and still they
went Oh winding up, till the rope sung again
with the strain there was upon it.
Then it snapped, and cradle, hauling line,
and main-rope, with its block, fell down. Thus
were two men left in most desperate situation
Poor Colly was completely dazed with af-
fright and the moment he got on the coping,
which was only foot and half broad, be
cried out
Where can pray where can kueel and
pray ?"
And so 1 said very solamuly-
"Sit down, Jem God will hear if we pray
TO him sitting down"
The color of bis face was of transparent
blue: and Ii was distorted and twitching, as if
be was in a ct. His eyas were very wild and
drawn into squint, and be couldn't sit steady.
but sBayed his body backward and forward,
so that felt certain be must topple over.
Come, Jem. lad" said, thinking to take
the fright of him, sits bad enough, but it can
be mended Hitch up little and put your
arm around the rod-nsybe it will steady you.
Where are you? and where is the rod ?