Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-11-13
TuRILLlNG ADVENTURE.

FEATHER will have done the great chimney
tonight. won't he mother?" said little Tom
my Howard, as he stood waiting for his faith
er's breakfast, which he carried to him at
his work every morning.
s.He said that he hoped that all the scat
folding would be down tonight" answered
the mother, 'and that'll be fine sight; for
never like the ending of those great chin
news, it is so risky for father to be last up"
..Oh then, but I'll 60 and seek him and
help 'em to give shout before he comes
down." said Tom. :.
"And then" continued the mother, 'if
sll goes on right, we are to have frollc to
morrow, and 60 into the country, and take
our dinner, and spend all the day long in the
woods"
.Hurrah p cried Tom, as he ran Oft to
his fathers place of work, with can of milk
in one hand and some bread in the other.
His mother stood at the door, watching him
as went merrily whistling 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 its sure
refuge, and she prayed to God to protect AMI
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 vas
getting along.
James Howard, the father, and a number
of other workmen. had been building one Of
those lofty chimneys which, in our manu-.
featuring towns almost supply the place of
our architectural beauty. The chimney was
of the highest and most taperlng 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
scaffold was almost down--the men were re-
moving the beams and poles. Toms father
stood alone at the top.
He then looked around to see that every
thing was right, and then waving his hat IN
the air, the men below answered him with a
long, loud cheer, little Tom shouting as long
a. any one of them. As their voices died
away. however, they heard 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 fas-
tened to the chimney, for Toms father to
come down by. The scaffold had been re-
| moved without remembering to take the rope
up. There was dead silence. They all
knew it was impossible 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 safety.
And TOMS father! He walked round and
round the little circle, the dizzy height
| seemed more and more fearful and the solid
earth farther and farther from him. In the
sudden pause, he lost his presence ofmind-
his senses failed him. He shut his eyes; he
| feft as if the next moment he must be dashed
to pieces on the ground below. The. day
passed as industriously az usual with Toms
mother at home. She was always buslly EN-
ployed for her husband or children in some
way, and to day she had been harder at work
than usual, getting ready for the holiday to-
morrow. She had just finished her arrange
ments, and her thoughts were silently thank
ing God tor the happy home and for all these
blessings, when Tom ran in.
His face was white as ashes, and he could
hardly get the words out:
I'M other Mother He cannot get
down %
"Who, lad-thy father?" asked the moth
s'They have forgotten to leave him the
rope p answered Tom, still scarcely able 10
speak.
| The mother started up horror struck, and
stood for moment as if paralyzed, then
| pressing her hands over her face. as II to
Shut out the terrible picture, and breathing
prayer to God for help, rushed out OF the
| house
When she reached the place where her
husband was at work, a crowd gathered
round the foot of the chimney, and stood
quite helpless gazing up, with their faces
full Of sorrow a#4
.He saws he'll throw himself down"
'sThe munna do that lad" cried the wife
| with clear, hopeful voice; thee munna do
tbat-uait bit. Take off your stocking,
lad. and unravel it, ard let down the thread
with bit Of mortar. Dost thou hear me,
Jem 2"
The man made sign of assent-for. 1t
seemed as if he could not speak-and taxing
off his stocking, unravelled the worsted yarn
row after row. The people stood around ID
breathless suspense, wondering what Toms
mother could be thinking Of. and why she
sent him in such haste for the carpenters
ball of Irvine. al a.s-
"Let down one end of the thread with a
bit Of stone, and keep fast hold Of the 9th
err" 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 outstrctched hands that were
awaiting it. Tom held the ball Of twlne'
while his mother tied one end of it to the
thread.
"Now pull slowly" cried she to her hus-
band, and she gradually unwound the string
until it reached her husband. CHOW Eold
the string fast and pull" cried she, and the m
string grew heavy and hard to pull, !ol
Tom and his mother had fastened thlcs
rope to it. They watched it gradually, anu
Ill, rnoo;l;no from the ground, and the