The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-05-31
So PER ANNUM.

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(" and there will be even more peril in de-
scending than ascending Suppose sue
ceed in moving the stone, and then
" If any accident happens to you, my
brave fellow, the money shall be paid to
your family, promise you that Give
me your address
" Here it is, said and as you value
your soul keep your word with me. My
wife and children are starving, or | would
not attempt this work. If | die they can
live on the hundred dollars for while
until my sick wife RECEIVERS her strength"
"Tll make it hundred and fityl" ex-
claimed the architect, "and may God pro-
tect you! If had the skill necessary to
ascend that steeple l would ask no man to
risk his life there. But come, and keep
steady hand and eye"
I followed him into the church, then
up into the spire, until we paused before
narrow window. This was the point
from which must start on the perilous
feat which had undertaken.
Casting single glance at the people
in the street below-mere specks in the
distance-I reached out from the window,
and grasping one of the ornamental blocks,
swung myself out upon the spire.
My courage faltered, but the remcm-
brance of my starving family came to my
aid, placed my hand on the block above
and clambered up. From block to block
went, steadily and cautiously, trying each
one ere | trusted my weight upon it. Two
thirds Of the space had been passed, when
suddenly the block that supported me
moved-gave way Oh, heavens never,
though | should live hundred years,
shall | cease to shudder at the recollection
of that terrible moment
Yet even in the midst of my agony, as
felt myself slipping backward, did not
for second lose my presence of mind.
it seemed to me that never before had
my senses been so acute as then, when a
horrible death seemed inevitable. Down,
down, / slipped grasping at each block
as passed it by, until at length my fear
full course was arrested, and then, while
my head reeled with the sudden reaction,
great shout came up from the people
below.
"Come down, come down r. called the
| architect from the window half the sum
shall be yours for the fisk you have run
Don't try again. Come down T.
But no more than ever now | wa,
determined to succeed. | was not one t.
give up after having undertaken a diff
cult task
Coolly, but cautiously, | commenced
the ascent once more, first seeking in vair
TO reach across to the next row of blocks
for | did not care to trust myself agair
on that which had proved so treacherous
This | was compelled to do, however, un
til the space between the angles becam,
sufficiently small to allow me to swim,
across. Accomplishing my purpose a
length, | went up more rapidly, CAREFUL.
testing each block as | proceeded.
Ere long | reached the cross, and Their
/ paused to rest, looking down from tn
dizzy height with a coolness that evel
then astonished me. A few strokes witt
light hatchet that the architect ha,
hung at my back and piece by piece tn
rotten cross fell to the ground.
My work was done, and US the las
fragment disappeared, found a sad pleas
ure in the thought that should / neve
reach the ground alive, my dear one
would have ample means to supply thei
wants until my wife could obtain employ
ment.
, Steadily | lowered myself from block t
block, and at length reached the spire win
dow, amid the cheers Of those assemble
in the street. Inside the steeple the arcl
itect placed roll Of bank notes in my hand
"You have well earned the money,
+. he said. at does me good to see ma
r with so much nerye-but-bless me
what is the matter with your hair
I was black before you made the ascen
I now il is gray"
And so it was. That moment Of ii
e tense agony, while slipping helplessl
downward, had blanched my hair until
+ appeared like that Of an old man. I'll
r work of years had been doue in an instan
i Entering the cherries room which wi
: now all / called my home'I found a Wis
tor, awaiting me, my late employer.
d q Harvey" said he, extending his hant
s l have done you great wrong. Ii co
!. me terrible pang to believe in yo'
l guilt, but circumstances were so strong
d against you that was forced to belie'
it. l have found the coin, Harvey;
d slipped under the secret drawer in n
l desk. Can you forgive me, my dear o
o friendY
My heart was too full to speak 1
;! lehtly pressed his hand.
d al will undo the wrongs have don
u All the world shall know | accused "
n unjustly, not through my words only, b
]. through my actions, too. You must
r my partner, Harvey. If you refuse,
g shall feel that you have not forgiven me
IL | did not refuse, Instead, thankfi
b ly accepted the offer, knowing that
surer method could have been devised
! silence forever the tongue of SANDER, al
u free my name from the unmerited !
n proach which had of late rested upon it.
!, Prosperity has attended me ever sin
- that day, but neither prosperity or veal
., can efface its memory from my heart, n
~ - restore my locks to their own raven hut
~ What il will Do,