The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-02-18

taken from them. The thought brought
me back to more selfish ones, and kept
asking myself: "Must I die2 How
long can hold on with this fierce wind
begirting me1 Is there no hope3 Will
no one, seeing how am placed, strive
to rescne me?"
Again turned my eyes downward =
In the court yard of the brewery and in
the street below people:.were fast collect,
ling;windows|were being thrown open and
women and children, shreking and sob.
bing,were gazing from them at me. The
crowd below thickened, running hither
and thither A large kite futtered nearer
How | tried to steady myself with one
hand. that might grasp the cord with
the other as soon as it was within reach,
IcQmes yiyidly before Inc now But it
never did come within reach, gust Of
the breeze carrying it far away, and
dashing it to the ground.
An hour passed, and though still cling
ing to the brick work, it was almost un
consciously, for cold and fear had so
worked upon me that became quite
dszed, and the chimneys, the people, the
confused noise from the streets, and my
own periIous position,seemed to be jun-
bled together in a tangle which could
not put straight. While in this half-sen-
sitle state l heard a voice shout my
name But it had to be repeated twice
before could rouse myself sufficiently
to heed what was said.
"Bill, Bill Lindsay! cheer up, mate
help is coming!' were the words which
rumbled up the shaft
After this there was pause for some
minutes, and scarce able to control my
cxcitement,I tried to think how this help
could come Then there was warning
shouted to me TO keep my head back.
followed ~ whizzing, Kissing noise,
and looking within the shaft, 1 saw a
bright shower of golden sparks lighting
up the well-like hole, and knew that
rocket had been fired
But it struck the .brick-work in its as
cent, and failed to reach me, 80 that once
more l was LEFT to wait and hope,until the
voice again shouted for me to keep clear
A moment alter fiery tail of sparks shot
upward far above me, and an earnest
"Thank God p came from my heart as
grssped thin cord that fell by my side as
the rocket descended.
BY this communication stouter and
stronger rope was sent me. But my dan
ger was not over, for in my weakened and
numbed stateit was perilous slide down
it At first ] could scarcely brace my
nerves up sufficiently to launch myself
over the brick-work,a ,aod nav head turning
dizzy, for a moment 1 thought myself
gone; but conquering the feeling by a
great effort, / slowlys descended until
about halfthe distance was accomplished
Then the horrid fear seized me, Nv hat
| if fhe rope slipuldbreak, or not be Sc
tcurely fastened Y and dreadine each Sec
Iond that my fearsl would be fulfilled, in
feverish haste slid on
When within few yards from the bot.
tom, overtasked nature would bear tue
strain no longer; and, ioosening my hold,
| dropped into the arms of those who
had been breathlessly watching my de-
scent.
Other hands than mine finished the
shaft in calmer weather, and on a more
securely fastened scaffeld; and l, well
cared for bv the best Of little wives,
soon got over the shock of my acci-
dent; but as | GO to and fro to my
work, and look up to the huge chimney,
| often recall withsa shudder the hour
when l clung TO its summit, counting
the moments, each one of which SEEM
ed to bring me nearer to dreadful
| death HH ~ ~ E s. e.s. II