The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-05-23

brokers, until Mt length, even this poor
resource failed us, and my children
cried in vain for food.
Yet did not sit down in idle des-
pair; ! could not afford to DO 50 ; the
life or death of all loved on earth de
pended on my eNertion-and so turn
ing away from them with heavy heart,
/ once more set out on the weary search
for work.
All i'll vain refusal after refusal met
my entreaties Unemployment. Pass
ing along the street / came to 4 church
surmOunted by n high steeple, and /
was attracted by group OF men at its
base.
Impelled by some strange impulse,
1 approached and mingled with them.
A workman was standing near by,
looking up at the great steepie which
lowered aloft some 250 feet above them,
while gentleman, evidently an archi-
tect, was addressing him in earnest
language, and, at the same time, point
ing toward the golden cross at the
summit of the spire.
81 tell YOU" he exclaimed, as Idrew
near, 1T must and can be done. The
cross must he taken down, or the first
heavy gale will send it down into the
street, and lives will be lost. Cow
ard is this the way you back out OF
a job, after engaging to do it ?"
II didn't know the spire was so high
up there. Do it yourself, if you want
it done"
"Iwould if l were able" said the
architect. but 90, if YOU will let it
be My honor is pledged to have it
done at any price-and / can fnd 4
braver man than You to do it
The carpenter walked away with 2
dOgged, slouching step, and the gen
t!eman was about to move away also,
when stepped forward.
What is it YOU want done, sir!' /
asked. Il am a carpenter; perhaps /
can do it.
He turned eagerly toward me.
Il will make it worth vour while.
Take down that cross and / will pay
vOu Il hundred dollars. Gou will have
to ascend those ornamental blocks,
and tell you candidly they are not
to bc 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 angle
were nailed small gilded blocks of
wood
"It's a dangerous place to work." /
said, "and there will be even more peril
in descending than in ascending. Sup
pose / succeed in moving the stone,
and then"
If any accident happens to you,
my brave fellow, the money shall he
paid TO your family. / promise you
that. Give me your address
Here it is" I said, ''and as you
value your soul keep your word with
me. NY wife and children are starry
inc. or | would not attempt this work.
If die they can live on the hundred
dollars for awhile, until my sick wife
recovers her strength
"IIl make it hundred and fifty -
exclaimed the architect, land may God
protect you! If / had the skill neces-
sary TO ascend that steeple / would
ask no man to risk his life there
But come, and keep a steady hand and
eye"
I followed him into the church, then
up into the spire, until we paused be
fore a narrow window. This was the
point from which / must start on the
perilous feat which I had undertaken.
Casting a single glance ut the pco-
pie in the street bclUw-mere spccks
in the distance-T reached out from
the window, and, grasping one Of the
ornamental blocks, swung myself out
upon the spire.
For an instant my courage taltered,
but the remembrance of my starving
family came to my aid, and with ST.
lent prayer for protection and success,
I placed my hand on the next block
above my head and clambered up.
From block to block went steadi-
Iy and cautiously, trying each one ere
trusted my weight upon it.
TwO-thirds of the space had been
passed. when suddenly the block that
supDorted me moved-gave way. Oh,
heavens! never, though / should live
to see a 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 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 slipped, grasping at
each block as | passed it by, until at
length my fearful course was arrested,
and then, while my head reelcd with
the sudden reaction, great shout came
up from the people below.
Come down, come down - called
the architect from the window 'ha!I
the sum shall be yours, for the risk you