Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-10-06
Thrilling Adventure.

"Father will have done the grea
chimney tonight, won't he mother p
; said little Tommy Howard, as b,
stood waiting for his fathers break
fast, which he carried to him at hi.
,, work every morning.
''He said that he hoped that all tht
scaffolding would be down tonight,
answered the mother, "and that'll bt
a fine sight; for never like the end
ing of those great chimneys, it is Sc
risky for father to be last up" ar
"Oh ! then, but I'll go and seek hin
and help EN- to give shout before he
comes down" said Tom.
"And then" continued the mother
"if all goes on right, we are to have q
irolic tomorrow, and go into the coun
Try, and take our dinner, and spend
| all the day long in the woods
"Hurrah y cried Tom, as he ran of
to his fathers place of work, with a
can of milk in one hand and some
bread in the other His mother stooc
at the door, watching him as he went
merrily whistling down the street, anG
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 and bless her treas
: ures.
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. 10 the
evening, on his way home, be went
around to see how his father was get
ting along.
James Howard, the father, and q
number of other workmen, had beel
) building one of those lofty chimneys
which, in our manufacturing towns, al
most supply the place of our architect
ural beauty, The chimney was of the
highest and most tapering that haC
ever been erected, and as Tom shad
ed his eyes from the slanting rays of
the setting sun. and looked up il
search of his father, his heart sank
within him at the appalling sight
The scafold was almost down the
men were removing the beams anC
: poles. Toms father stood alone al
: the top.
He then looked around to see thai
everything was right, and then waving
his hat il the air, the men below an
swered him with a long, loud cheer
ing, little Tom shouting as long a:
any of them. As their voices dice
away. however, they heard a differen
sound, a cry of horror aud alarm from
above. The men looked around, anC
which, before the scaffolding was re
moved, should have been fastened t.
: the chimney, for Toms father to come
: down by. The scaffold had been re
moved without remembering to tax,
the rope up. There was a dead 81
I lence. They all knew it was impos
sible to throw the rope up high enough
to reach the top Of the chimney, o.
even if possible, it would hardly b,
= safe. They stood in silent dismay
: unable to give any help or think OF
any means OF safety.
: And Toms father? He walked
i round and round the little circle, th,
dizzy height seeming more and NOR,
fearful, and the solid earth farther ant
farther from him. In the suddel
+ panic. he lost his presence of mind
his senses failed him. He shut hi
eyes; he felt as if the next momen
he must be dashed to pieces on tn
ground below. The day passed a
/ industriously as usual with Tom
/ mother at home. She was always bus
4 lily employed for her husband or chill
dren in some way, and o-day she hat
U been harder at work than usual, get
ting ready for the holiday tomorrow
n She had just finished her arrange
e ments, and her thoughts were silentl
q thanking God for the happy home an,
e for all those blessings, when Tomm
:. ran in.
= His face was white as ashes, and h
l. could hardly get the words out:
/ "Mother! Mother he cannot ge
: down.
l. "Who, lad-thy father ?'' asked th
o mother.
e "They have forgotten to leave hir
3 the rope" answered Tom, still scarce
|. ly able to speak.
S The mother started up, horror
l. struck, aud stood for moment as i
e paralyized, then pressing her hand
n over her face, as if to shut out tn
n terrible picture, and breathing
Il prayer to God for help, rushed out O
+ the house
r, When she reached the place wher
|, her husband was at work, a crow
r gathered round the foot of the chin
y ney, and stood quite helpless, gain
l. up, their faces full of sorrow.
h "He says he'll throw himself down
It "Thee munna do that, lad,' erie
: the wife, with clear, hopeful voice
g ''thee munna do that-wait Bit
r Take off thee stocking, lad, and ur
t. ravel it, and let down the thread wit
r a bit of mortar Dost thou hear mt
Jem ?" ag
n The man made sign of assent
IS for it seemed as if he could not spea
7, and taking off his stocking, unra,