The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-05-14

AhJoSAAj viz AAA'NSo FA ~ SAN''N
of poor fellows, most of whom, dare say
were as wretched as myself, waiting at the
door of administrators Office. AS the clock
struck the hour, the folding-doors were
thrown open, and we passed in crowd,
into hail. where two long tableswere laid
for our accommodation. A couple of SEN
tinels stood at the door; an usher marshall
ed us, standing, round tables, and priest
read grace.
AS he began to read, a strange sensation
came upon me. felt compelled to look
across the opposite table, and there-yes,
by Heaven there saw Gasparo
lie was looking full at me, but his eyes
dropped on meeting mine. saw him turn
vividly white. The recollection of all he
had made me suffer, and of the dastardly
blow he had dealt me on the day of our
fight, overpowered for the moment even
my surprise at seeing him in this place.
Oh, that might live to meet him yet, un-
der the free sky, where no priest was pray
ing, and no guards were by!
The grace over, we sat down and fell to.
Not even anger had power to blunt the
edge of my appetite just then. / ate like
furnishing wolf, and so did most of the 9TH
ers. We were allowed no wine, and the
doors were locked upon us, that we might
not procure any elsewhere. 1t was wise
regulation, considering the task we had to
perform.
The dinner lasted long, and when no one
seemed disposed to eat more, the tables
were cleared. Most of the men threw
themselves, on the floor and benches and
went to sleep, Gasparo among the number.
Seeing this, could refrain no longer. /
went over and stirred him roughly with my
foot.
Gasparo You know me ~
He looked up suddenly.
"Devil's mass ! l thought you were at
Toulon."
at is not your fault that am not at
Toulon Listen to me. If you and sur
vive this night, you shall answer to me for
your treacheryp'
He glared at me from under his deep
brows, and without replying, turned over
on his face again, as if to sleep.
"Ecco un maladetto There's an ac-
cursed fellow y said one of the others, with
significant shrug, as came away.
"Do you know anything of him ?"
asked.
"Nothing, but that he is said to be a
wolf and a blasphemer."
could learn no more, SO also stretched
myself upon the floor, as far as possible
from my enemy, and in very few moments
fell profoundly asleep.
At seven, the guards reused those who
still slept, and served each man with small
mug of thin wine. We were then formed
into double file, marched round by th,
and inclined plane to the roof below til,
, dome. From this point, long series OF
, staircases and winding passages carried vi
up between the double walls of the dome
and, at different stages in the ascent, GER
tain number of us were detached and post
; ed ready for work. / was detached about
half way up, and saw Gasparo going
higher still. When we were all posted, th,
superintendents came round and gave ui
l our instructions. At given signal every
man was to pass out through the loop-hol'
or window before which he was placed, ant
seat himself astride upon narrow shelf o
wood hanging to strong rope just below
This rope came through the window, wal
i wound round roller, and secured from
within. At the next signal lighted torcl
: was put in his right hand, and he was to
: grasp the rope firmly with his left. At thu
1 third signal the rope was to be unwounC
+ from within by an assistant placed there fol
the purpose, he was to be allowed to slid
: rapidly down over the curve of the dome
. and, while thus sliding, was to apply hi
n torch to every lamp he passed in his down
. ward progress.
Q Having received these instructions, W,
f waited, each man at his window, until tn,
first signal should be given.
I 1t was fast getting dark, and the silver il
d Elimination had been lighted since seven
a All the great ribs of the dome, as far as
It could see; all the cornices and friezes Of tn
n facade below; all the columns and parapet
+ Of the great colonnade surrounding the pi
It azza four hundred feet below, were trace,
o out in lines Of paper lanterns, the ligh
d from VIII ich, subdued by the paper, CLEAN
> ed with silvery fire which had magica
a and wonderous look. Between and amon
d these lanternoni were placed at different in
teryals all over the cathedral on the sid