Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-05-09
Impolled by some strange impulse,

tect, was addressing him in earnest Lam
guage, and at the same time pointing
toward the golden cross at the summit of
the spire.
" tell YOU" he exclaimed. as | drew
near, "it must and can be done. The
cross must be taken down, or the first
heavy gale will send it down into the
street, and lives will be lost. Coward !!
is this the way you back out of Il job
after engaging to do it?'
Il didn't know the spirc was so high
up there. Do it yourself if you want it
done"
Il would if I we're able" said the ar
chitect But 90 if you will-let it be.
My honor is pledged to have it done at
any price, and I can find drawer man
than you to do 1t"
The carpenter walked away with a
logged, slouching step. and the gentle
man was about to move away also, when
| stepped forward.
What is it you want done, sir?" |
asked. Il am carpenter, perhaps |
can do it,"
He turned eagerly towards me.
i will make it worth your while.-
Take down that cross and | will pay you
hundred dollars. You will have to as
cend those ornamental blocks, and | tell
you candidly they arc not to be depended
on they must be weak and rotten, for
they have been there for years"
looked up at the spire; it was square
at the base and tapered to a sharp point,
while along each angie were nailed small
gildcd blocks of wood.
It's a dangerous place to work." /
said, "and there will be even more peril
in descending than ascending. Suppose
| succeed in moving the cross 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 val
ne 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
awhile until my sick wife RECEIVERS her
strength"
I'll make it hundred and fifty p ex-
claimed the architect, ''and may God
protect you'll If | had the skill neces-
sary to ascend that steeple L would ask
no man to risk his life there But come,
and keep steady hand and eye"
followed hin. into the church, then
up into the spire, until we paused before
a 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 specs in the
distance reached out from the window
and grasping one of the ornamental blocks
swung myself out upon the spire.
For an instant my courage faltered,
but the remembrance of my starving
family came to my aid, and with silent
prayer for protection and success, ]
placed my hand on the next block above
my head and clambcred up
From block to block | went steadily
and cautiously, trying each one ere l
trusted my weight upon it.
Two-thirds of the space had been passed
when suddenly the block that supported
me moved--gaye way. Oh, heavens
never, though | should live to see hum
bred 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 l
for one second lose my presence Of mind
1t seemed to me that never before had
my senses been so preternaturally acute
as then, when horrible death seemed
inevitable.
Down, down I slipped, grasping at
each block as passed it by, until at
length my fearful 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 !" called
the architect from the window, "half the
sum shall be yours for the risk you have
run. Don't try again, Come down p
But no, more than ever now | was de-
termined to succeed. | was not one to
give up, after having undertaken diff
cult task.
Coolly, but cautiously, I commenced
the ascent once more, first seeking in
vain to reach across to the next row of
blocks, for | did not care to trust myself
again on that which had proved so treach-
erons This | was compelled to do,
however, until the space between the
angles became sufficiently small to allow
me to swing across. Accomplishing my
purpose at length, / went up more rap
idly carefully testing each block as |
proceeded.
Ere long I reached the cross, and there
I paused to rest, looking down from the
dizzy height with GOODNESS that even
then astonished me.
A few strokes with light Ratchet
that the architect had hung at my back,
and piece by piece the rotten cross fell
to the ground.
My work was done, and as the last
fragment disappeared. found a sad plea
sure in the thought that should l never
reach the ground alive, my dear ones
would have ample means to supply their
wants until my wife could obtain employ
mcnt.
Sad and cautiously / lowered myself
from block to block, and at length reached
the spire window, amidst the cheers of
those assembled in the street
Inside the stoeplc the architect placed
a roll Of bank notes in my hand.