National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-10-16
Thrilling Adventure.

er ~ 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 all the
scaffoldlng would be down tonight"
answered the mother, "and that'll
be a fine sight; for | never like the
ending of those great chimneys, it
is so risky for father to be last up"
"Ohv then, but Fll 90 and seek
him and help 'em to give a shout
before he comes down." said Tom.
"And then," continued the moth
er, "if all goes on right we are to
have frolic tomorrow, and go in
to the country, and take our dinner,
and spend all the day long in the
woods"
"Hurrah y 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. His moth
er stood at the door, watching him
as he went merrlly 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 aud bless her treasures.
Tom with a light heart pursued
his way 10 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 ta-
ther was getting along.
I James Howard, the father, and a
number OF other workInel had been
building one of those lUYI Vim.
neys which, in our manufacturing
towns, almost supply The place OF
our architectural beauty. The
chimney was of the highest and
most tapering that had ever been
erected, and as Tom shaded his eyes
from the setting sun, and looked up
in search of his father, his heart
sank within him at the appalling
sight. The scatfold 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 i'll the air. the men
below answered him with a long,
loud cheering, little Tom shouting
as loud as any OF them. AS theiI
voices died away, however, they
heard different sound, cry OF
horror and alarm from above. The
men looked around, and coiled up
on the ground lay the rope, which,
before the scaifolding WAS removed,
should have been fastened to the
chimney, for Toms tothcr to come
down by. The scatfold had been
removed without remembering to
take the rope up. There was dead
silence. They all knew it was i'm
possible to throw the rope up high
enough to reach the top Of the
chimney, G even if possible, it
would hare be safe They stood
in silent iy, unable to give amy
, help or t'In of ANY means of safe
ty.
And o.l's father? He wdlkct
round ana round the little circle
the dizzy height seemed more ant
more fearful, and the solid eartl
farther and farther from him. II
- tie sudden panic. he lost his pres
cace of mind--hiS senses failed him
lie shut his eyes; he felt as il tin
next moment he must be dashed [,
= pieces on the ground below. Th,
day passed as inGustriouS Y rs usll
al with Toms mother II home
She was busily employed iug he
husband or children III some way
and to-day size had been harder Il
work than usual, getting ready 10
IS the holiday tomorrow. She hat
inst finished her arrangements, ant
her thoughts were silently thanking
l. God for the happy home and for al
those blessings, when Tommy ra
in.
d lis face was white as ashes, an
ne cOuiu iidiuiy so "a, 80. a.. -.
- "Mother! mother! he cannot ge
down.
"Who, lad-thy father y aske
3 the mother.
"Thcy have forgotten to leave hin
:, the rope" answered Tom, still scare,
d ~ able to speak.
y The mother started up, horror
~ struck, and stood for moment u
if paralSzcd, then pressing he
- hands over her face, rs if to slIl
out the terrible picture, and breath
ing n prayer to God for help, rushe,
ont Of the house.
10 When She reached the place wher
Is her husband was at work, crow,
Z gathered round the foot of the chin
y ney, and stood quite helpless, gaz
,. ing up, their faces full of sorrow.
Gle says he'll throw hmsel
- down.
"Thcc munna do that, lad" erie,
the wife. with u clear, hopeful voice
"thce munna do that---wait u Bit
e Take OIL thee stocking, lad, and un
ravel it, and let down the thrca,
with a bit Oi mortar. DOst tho,
!. hear me, Jem n
, The man made sign Of assent
: for it seemed as IL he could no
speak--and taking of his stocking
| unraveled the wOrsted yarn, r0,
after row. The people stood aroun
IN GREATNESS silence and suspense