Connecticut western news., 1873-11-14


 huge piers encompassing it. From the west, subdued crimson glow; east wards, the choir, dark and sombre the windows of the apso showing as gray luminous patches, the altar glooming in the distance like some funeral cata- falque. White figures gleaming here and there in shadowy recesses, marble warriors, heroes, statesmen.
 Under the dome, in the great open space, was a vast crowd of chairs wooden rush -bottomed chairs, lashed together in rows, looking towards the east. Choosing one of the most central of these, l sat down, and began to dream, peopling this wide area with a vast invisible congregation. .-
 In soft, long drawn cadence, the bell of Pauls struck out the hour of ten. l had been in the place nearly an hour. l felt chilled and humb. Enough of dreams. Let me walk briskly up and down, and think of the busy scenes awaiting me: the rapid flight over con- tlnents and seas the wanderers return; the warm, glad welcome wife and chill dren holding out eager arms.
 paced rapidly up and down an avenue between the chairs. I had seen enough l was anxious to be released, to get away from the world of shadows into the living world outside. For moment, I stood in what seemed to be the very centre of the dome, and looked l upward. A faint circle of light marked the apex of the soaring vault, and just above my head saw-n1y eyes being now accustomed to this half-light-I saw, Isay, a rope hanging down from the vast height above. 1 Then remember the spider-webs I had seen outside about the ball and cross. And as I stood, and looked, and listened, heard faint sounds of ham, mering and knocking. Men were at work, hundreds of feet above 8 light shone here and there, twinkling like a star.
 In years gone by, used to be fa- nous gymnast, and the sight of the rope hanging just above my head, put me in mind of my ancient prowess. I was heavier now, my muscles elastic i; still, there was some salt of youth in me. How many times, I wondered, could I, hanging to that rope, draw my chin up to my knuckles
 The rope was just out of reach, but I leapt up and caught it-once, twice, thrice. I felt kind of emulation with my old self; I wanted to persuade my self that had not lost much of my former prowess and so went on draw ing myself up and letting myself down, not touching the ground, till I grew tired. Then stretched myself out, expecting just to reach the pavement with my toes. But I couldn't reach it. Casting a'glance below me, I saw with horror that the flooring had vanished from under me. I was swinging sus- pended by my hands high up in the dome. .
 Perhaps, if I had dropped at that mo- ment, I might have escaped with only serious shaking; but I hesitated, and was lost. Slowly and steadily, tue rope was being wound up. shut my eyes. Surely this was a .hideous delusion, that another moment would dispel. But no; as looked down, the floor below was almost lost to my sight. There swung, a tiny human speck, halfway between heaven and earth. I couldn't hope to hang on much longer. My muscles were wearied with the task I had given them. I made 8 desperate effort to raise myself hand over hand, so that I might grasp the rope with my feet also; but it was impossible: could not do it. Even the desperate energy of self-preservation could extract no more force from my muscles; could only hold on. .....s .s I was now on a level with the plinth that surmounts the great arches of the dome; the gilded groundwork of new fresco in the spandrel cast sort of glow upon me, the colossal figures seemed to mock my agony. I must be halfway up now, and for the moment 8 ray of hope shone in upon me that could hold on to the end. But, to my des- pair, now saw that the seeming dome was false one, above which rose the veritable conical roof, another hundred feet or more; and that through vast round orifice in the sham dome, the rope was to ascend to, the uppermost peak of the roof. In that moment of torture, I recognized my fate as inevi- table. I might prelong my agony for few seconds; my muscles are involun- tarily relaxing; my grasp would fail; in ! another minute at furthest I must fall, to be dashed to pieces on the adamah- 1 tine floor below.
 A thousand confused thoughts whirl- l ed through my brain, like the smoke and sparks of an approaching confagra- tion; but especially clear in my minds eye saw-I did not think, but saw this vision-the picture of my far-off home, the rolling plains of grass, the herds and focks, a galloping horseman-there was nay home. My wife stood in the portico, shading her eyes with her hands; the children were clustering about her; there was news of father coming-perhaps father himself. It was bitter to die thus.
 My limbs relaxed; my senses almost deserted me; merciful oblivion, the intoxication of despair, stole ever me; voices, l thought, were calling perhaps a delusion of my failing senses-I was slipping, slipping, and fell.
 "How do you feel now?" heard voice say, close to my ear. Was it pos sible-was I still alive? Yes my brain was yet conscious. But the frame? Shattered, no doubt, a mere human wreck, to which life would be a mockery. I only dared to use my eyes. Any other muscular exertion might bring on torments to whAch was then insensible; and yet had no feel ing of pain; perhaps some merciful paralysis had cut me off from torture.
 An old man was bending over me the same who had admitted me. H had g wine-glass in his hands, with some liquor in it; candle burned by his side, forming little chamber of light aboutus.
 "Am I knocked all to pieces ?" I whispered. .-
 "I don't think so, sir I don't think you're hurt bit. Bless you you didn't fall more than three feet"
 l stretched out my arms they were whole my legs-they were sound and unhurt. What happiness to be alive, after seeing death inevitable
 How is this ?" I cried, sitting up, and looking about me. "I thought I