Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-11-30
NOVEMBER 80, 1866.

reach the top of the chimney ; or it they
could it would hardly have been safe.
They stood in silence ard dismay, unable
to give any help or think Of any means OF
saf ty.
And Toms father. He walked round
and round the little circle /; the dizzy height
seemed every moment more fearful, and
the solid earth further and further from
him. In the sudden panic he lost his
presence of mind, and his senses almost
failed him. He shut his eyes, be felt as IT
the next moment he must be dashed to
pieces on the ground below. l
The day had passed off as industriously
and swiftly as usual with TOMS mother at
home. She was always busily employed
for her husband or children in some way
or other; and to-day, she had been harder
at work than usual, getting ready for the
holiday tomorrow. She had just finished
all her preparations, and her thorghts
were constantly thanking God for her hap
py home and for all the blessings of life,
when Tom ran in: his face was white as
ashes and he could hardly get his words
out, Mother mother! He cannot get
down." Who, lad? Thy father?" asked
his mother.
"They've forgottn to leave him the
rope" answered Tom, sill scarcely able to
speak. His mother started up horror
struck, and stood for moment as if para
lyzed, then pressing hrr hands over her
face as if to shut out the horrible picture,
and breathing a prayer to God for help
she rushed out of the house. When she
reached the place where her husband was
at work a crowd had collected round the
foot of the chimney, and stood there quite
helpless, gazing up with facesfu fullof sorrow
ale says he'll throw himself down." ex
claimed they. as Mrs. Howard came up
"Heis going to throw himself down"
Thee nunna do that, lad!" cried th'
wife, with clear, hopeful voice; the
nunna do thai. Wait bit. take off tn
stocking lad, and unravel il, and let dow
the thread with bit of mortar. Do:
hear me Jem ?"
The man gave sign of assent, for Z
seemed as if he could no, speak; and tai
ing of bis stocking. unravelled the worste
thread row after row. The people stoo
round in breathless silence and suspense
woader what Toms mother could b
thinking of and why she sent him in sue
haste TO the carpenters ball of twine.
:. Let down one end of the thread wit
a bit of mortar, and keep fast hold of th
: other" cried she to her husband. Th
little thread came waving down the ia
chimney, blown hither and thither by tn
wind. but at last it reached the outstretcl
ed hands that were waiting for it. Tor
J. held the ball Of string, while his mothe
:, tied one end of it to the wrr-ted threat
I" Now pull it up slowly" cried she to he
% husband, and she gradually unwound tn
i string as the worsted gently drew it VI
,r 1t stopped-the string had reached he
=, husband Now hold the string fast an
"a pull it up," cried she, and the string gre
heavy, and hard to pull, for Tom and b
In mother had ia stened the thick rope to
], They watched it gradua ly and slowly III
coiling from the ground as the string wi
IL drawn higher.
- There was but one coil left. 1t hs
NJ r-ac! ed the top. Thank God Thar
bo Godl +" exclaimed the wife. She hid h,
face in silent prayer and tremblingly r
70 joiced. The rope was up. The iron
!, which it should be fastened was the
be all right but would her husband be alb
or to make use of them would not the te
vn ror Of the past hour SO unnerve him, as
be prevent him taking the necessary mea
n. ures for his safety ? She did not see Il
an magic influence which her words had e
be ercised over him. She did not know Il
er strength that the sound OF her voice,
calm and steadfast, had filed him with
az as if the little thread that carried him Il
st rope of life once more, had conveyed
ne him some portion of that faith in Go
,e. which nothing ever destroyed or shook
n : her true heart. She did not know that
or he waited there, the words came ov
ad him, Why art thou cast down, 0 n
es. soul? and why art thou disquieted with
,st me? Hope thou in God" She lifted ,
al her heart TO God for hope and strengt
IL She could do nothing more for her hu
on band, and her heart turned to God al
,es rested on Him as on a rock.
I'M There was great shout. He's sal
art mother, he's safe" cried little Tol
no " "Thou hast saved M Mary" said d
m; husband, folding her in his arms. b
he what ails thee? Thou seem'st more sorl
od than glad about it" But Mary could n
nd speak. and if the strong arm of her hu
- Land had not held her mn she xyoutd ba