Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1865-02-03
A White Mountain Story.

/ ~
of the Profile House is Walkers observa-
tory. A tall pine, standing by the side of
the road, possessing wonderful capabilities
as an observatory, was brought to lis fated
end by trimming away the branches, and
fastening an easy succession Of winding
stairs around its trunk. As the tree is
strong, and well secured by iron chains, we
may feel reasonably safe in ascending to
the lookout at the top. A really COM
manding view is gained from this half nat
ural, and half artificial observatory. From
no other place can you obtain so good a
view of the valley between the mountain
ranges.
"oh, here it is r sod papa 9 is it best
to stop?"
Do oh, please do stop!'' shouted the
boys.
We'll, we WILL" said their father, +" for
the boys will never forget it. Ho! Char
ley boy, was there ever such famous tree
to climb ~
Now Charley is the hero of my story, so
| must tell you more Of him. First, since
it has to do with my story, he was won
derful climber, and had been through all
the eventful five years Of his life; having,
on hands and knees, mounted to the third
story of the great hall at grandfather's
long before he could 60 alone. For all,
he was the great brave boy, he was still
" the baby soft, white, rosy, curly head
ed, and as full of dimples, aud fond cud-
ding ways, as ever was mothers baby.
So our party came to the foot of the tree.
"Charley boy is such brave climber"
said mama, 81 suppose he will be at the
top first of ALL"
All cast a fond look on the boy, who,
already in advance, turned his bright face,
all aslow with happy excitement, upon
them. Oh, had that look been the last
So they wound their way slowly up,
Charley just in advance $50 they thought)
talking of the scenery, and answering
Johnny's thoughtful and over mature
questions; winding round and round, up,
: up, up--Charley just round the turn, out
of sight, yet near.
Oh, no oh, terror up, up in the dizzy
: air, above the tops of the highest trees,
there is cry gasping, frightened cry
trying still to be brave.
Mama, where are you? What shall
!. I do mama Everything goes round 50
up here"
"You are only dizzy, my darling, sit
right down on the stair; don't step, don't
step sit right down."
So went up mothers answer, from white
lips and an agonized heart, yet, true to a
mothers instinct, loud clear, and cheerful
as bell. Up sped the father, crying out
encouragingly:
Good Charley, sit still, papa is CON-
ing"
What sight met bis view as he reached
his boy, and, clasping him to his heart
. shouted back $ All safe y
Yes, all safe sat the boy, right on the
outer edge of stair, just where the broken
railing gave no protection, more than q
hundred feet from the rocks below, his
cheeks aglow, his eyes agleam, his red lips
parted in happy smiles, obediently waiting
: his fathers coming steps; wondering the
: while what dizzy" was, TO make the
world go round and round like top.
Yes, he was safe, because unquestion.
ingly obedient, he sat right down without
taking another step, on the verge of the
yawning death chasm, safe one step--one
: effort to go down, to do anything but just
what was hidden, and oh, what tongue car
4: tell the horror of the results. We viii
not imagine. That fearful death plunge
that crushed and lifeless mass, the agony
of those hearts, smtten by a great life
sorrow. 1t is enough that God was merci
full Congregationalist.