Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-10-10
0bllot Statesman, tl:;G'.Il11p i n
THRILLING ADVENTURE. o

said little Tommy Howard, as he stood
waiting for his fathers breakfast, which
he carried to him at his work every
morning.
"He said that he hoped that all the
scaffolding would be down tonight"
answered the mother, "and that'll be
fine sight; for never like the end
ing of those great chimneys, it is so
risky for father to be last up.'
"Ob! then, but I'll 60 and seek him
and help 'em to give a shout before he
comes down." said Tom s4, .ssHA
"And them" continued the mother,
-" if all goes right, we are to have frolic
tomorrow, and go into the country, 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 in one hand and some bread in
the other. %Hiscmother stood at the door,
watching him as he went merrily whist
ling 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 it's 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
breakfast, went to his own work, which
was at some distance. In the evening,
on his way home, he went around to see
how his father was getting along.
| James Howard, the father, and num-
Der of other workmen, had been build
ing one of those lofty chimneys which,
in our manufacturing towns, almost sup
ply the place of our architectural
beauty. The chimney was of the high
est and most tapering that had ever been
erected, and Tom shaded his eyes from
the slanting rays of the setting sun, and
looked up in search of his father, his
heart sank within him at the appalling
sight. The scaffeld was almost down
the men were removing the beams and
poles. TOMS father stood alone at the
top.
He then looked around to see that
everything was right, and then waving
his hat in the air, the men below answer
ed him with long, loud cheer, little
Tom shouting as much as any one of
them. As their voices died away, how
ever, 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 scaffold
had been removed without remembering
to take the rope up. There was dead
silence. They all knew it was impossi-
BILE to throw the rope up high enough to
reach the top of the chimney, or even if
possible it would hardly be safe. They
stood in silent dismay, unable to give
any help or think of any means of safe
ty.
And Toms father He walked round
and round the little circle, the dizzy
height seeming more and more fearful,
and the solid earth farther and farther
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 industriously y as usual with
Toms mother at home. She was always
busily employed for her husband or
children in some way, and to-day she had
been harder at work than usual. getting
ready for the holiday tomorrow. She
had just finished her arrangements, and
her thoughts were silently thanking God
for the happy home and for all these
blessings, when Tom ran in.
His face was white as ashes, and he
he could hardly get the words out
Mother! mother he can not get
down !"
"Who, fad-thy father ~ asked the
mother.
"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 as if paralyzed
then pressing her hands over her face as
if to shut out the terrible picture, and
breathing a prayer to God for help
rushed out of the house.
When she reached the place where hel
husband was at work, crowd gathered
round the foot of the chimney. and stood
quite helpless, gazing up, with theil
faces full of sorrow.
HE says he'll throw himself down.
"Thee munna do that, lad," cried the
wife, with clear hopeful voice; "thee
munna do that-wait bit. Take of
your stocking, lad, and unravel it, and
let down the thread with a bit of mortar
Dost thou hear me, Jem ?"
The man made sigh of assent-for
it seemed as if he could not speak
and taking off his stocking, unraveled
the worsted yarn, row after row. The
tpeople stood around in breathless silence
and suspense, wondering what TOMS
mother could be thinking of, and why
she sent him in such haste for the car
penter's ball of twine.
"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 and thither by
the wind, but it reached the outstretcli-
ed hands that were awaiting it. Tom
held the ball of twine, while his mother
tied one end of it to the thread.
"Now pull slowly" cried she to her
husband, and she gradually unwound
the string until it reached her husband
"Now hold the string fast and pull;"
cried she, and the string grew heavy and
hard to pull, for Tom and his mother
had fastened a thick rope to it.
They watched it gradually and
slowly uncoiling from the ground, and
the string was drawn higher. There was
but one coil left-it had reached the top
Thank God !" exclaimed the wife.
She hid her face in her hands in silent
prayer, and trembling rejoiced. The iron
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