Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-09-23
haisnollanp.
Thrilling AdNeninrc.

fathers breakfast, which he carried to him al
his work every morning.
lie said that he hoped that all the scat
folding would be down tonight" answered
the mother, and thatll be fine sight for
/ never like the ending Of those great chim-
neys, II is so risky for father to be last up
Oh then, but III 90 and seek him and
help EN- TO give a shout before he comes
down" said Tom.
And then, continued the mother, il
all goes on right, we are to have a irolic to-
morrow, and 60 into the country, aud take
our dinner, and spend all the day long in the
woods
lurrnh - 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 mother stood at the door, watching him
as he went merrily whistlng down the street
and she thought Of the dear father he was
going to, and the dangerous work he was en-
gagged 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 bis breakfast,
went to his own work, which was at some dis
lance. In the evening on his way home, he
went around to see how his father was get
ting along.
james Howard, the father, and number
Of other workmen, had been building one OF
those lofty chmneys which, in our manufac-
turing 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 eye.
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
scaffod was almost down--the men were re-
moving the beams and poles. Toms father
stood alone at the top.
He then looked around 20 see that every
thing was right, and then waving his hat in
the air, the men below answered him with a
long, loud cheering, little Tom shouting as
long as any Of them. As their voices died
away, however, they heard a different sound
a cry of horror and alarm from above. The
men looked around, and coiled upon the
ground lay the rope, which, before the scat
folding was removed should have been fast
ened to the chimney, for Toms father to como
down by. The scaiiold had been removed
without remembering to take the rope up
There was dead silence They all knew II
was impossible to throw the rope up high
enough to reach the top of the chimney, OF
even If possible, it would hardly be safe
They stood in silent dsmay, unable to give
any help or think Of any means Of safety.
And Toms father He walked round and
round the little circle, the dizzy height seem.
ing more and more fearful, and the solid
earth farther and farther from him. In tn,
sudden panic, be lost his presence of mind
his senses failed him lie shut his eyes he
felt as if the next moment he must be dashed
to pieces on the ground below. The day pass
ed as industriously as usual with Toms moth
er athome. 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 hen
thoughts were silently thanking God for the
happy home and for all those blessings, when
Tom ran in.
His face was white as ashes, and he could
hardly get the words out
"Moiher! Mother he cannot get down -
Who, lad-thy lather2" asked the moth
er.
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 breathinga pray
or to God for help, rushed out Of the house.
When she reached the place where her hus-
baud was at work, crowd gathered round
the foot Of the chimney, and stood quite
helpless, gazing up, with their faces full Of
sorrow.
" He says he'll throw himself down"
Thee munna do that, lad" cried the
wife, with a clear, hopeful voice thee mum
ma do that--waita bit Take off thee stock
ing, lad, and unraye it, aud let down the
thread with bit of mortar. Dosi thou hear
me, Jem 2"
The man made a sign of assent-for il
seemed as if he could not speak--and taking
off his stocking, unrayelled the worsted yarn
row after row. The people stood around il
breathless silence and suspense, wondering
what Toms mother could be thinking of, anC
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 threa,
came waving down the tall chimney blow
hther and thither by the wind, but it reached
the outstretched hands that were awaiting it
Tom held the ball of Irvine, while his mothe
tied one end of it to the thread.
50 Now pun it slowly" cried she to he
husband, and she gradually unwound tn
string until il reached her husband. Noy
hold the string fast, and pull, cried She ant
the string grew heavy and hard TO pull, 70
Tom and his mother had fastened thcl
rope to it. They watched it gradually an,
slowly uncoiling from the ground, and tn
string was drawn higher.
There was but one coil lefl-it had reach
ed the top. Thank God !" exclaimed tn,
wife, She hid her face in her hands in silen
prayer, and tremblngly rejoiced. The iro
to which it should be fastened was there al
right-but would her husband be able I
make use of it? Would not the terror Q
the past have so unneryed him as to proven
HIM from taking the necessary measures TO
safety She did not know the magical inllu
eneeheT few words had exercised over him
She did not know the strength that the SCUM
Of her voice, 50 calm and steadiast had file
him---as if the little thread had carried hin
the hope Of life once more had conveyed /
him some portion of that faith in God whic
nothing ever destroyed or shook in her pur
heart. She did not know that, as she waite
there, the words came over him " Why al
thou cast down, o my soul, why art thou di,
quieted within me hope thou in Cod Sh
lifted her heart to God for hope and strength
but could do nothing more for her husband
and her heart turned to God aud rested upo
him as on n rock,
There was a great shout.
F." He's safe, mother he's safe !" erie
Tom.
4" Thou hast saved my life, my Mary, sal
the husband, folding her in his arms. Br
what ails your thou seemest more sorry tina
glad about it," But Mary could not speal
and if the strong arm of her husband had ne
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