, 1874-03-01
A CRAZY BOYS FREAK.

SyTayinE Sixteen Rours on III Frni1
Limb In a Tree-Top--SIowly Erecx-
ing to Denth--ESforts Mt Reacue--
The Successful Kuse.
From. the Oil City Derrick.
The usually quiet ueighborhood OF Decker'a
Run, settlement four OF five miles back from
CochrAnton, last week proved the scenc Of an
exciting occurrence which created = deep senaa-
ton throughout the district. About o'clock on
Saturday morning young boy Of Is years
named Hallebaugh, who had for some
timo previous exhibited symptoms Of in
sanity, suddenly conceived the idea that hla
friends intended to kill him, and rushed from
the house toward q brush ut little distance.
His grandfather and uncle. vainty pursued the
poor fellow. He reached the woods, and with
the energy OF frenzied despair began climbing a
large poplar tree In few moments he reached
the topmost branches, where he looked down
from the dizzy height Of seventy feet upon his
baf1ed pursuers- The weather WAS bitterly
his clothing being rather stanty st best. How
to e1trlcate him from his perilous aituation
quickly became pe1ple1inE question.
At lehgth his relatives determined to make an
effort to bring the demented youth safely to the
ground; and couple of men ascended the tree
TOR that purpose. But the frightened bog frus-
trated thus scheme by climbing still higher and
crawling out almost to the epd Of frni1-looking
limb, that swsyed and beut under it's unaccus-
toned burden. From this dangerous elevation
cue, threatening to throw himself leadlong Upon
the earth il not let alone. By this time many Of
the neighbors had gathered; however, none could
suggest any plan Of relief that might hope for
successful 1ssue.
Hours passed away without changing the
scene or terminating the agouizing suspense Of
assembled eco1es. His coat was taken up the
tree and left az near the unfortunate boy al pos
sible. He finally descended far enough to
clutch the garment, put it on, and again re-
stunned his position on the fragile branch. To
the herTihed spectators it seemed as it the limb
must break every instant. in which case they
shuddered to think OF the fatal consequences
The moments appeared like hours in duration,
whio tho reckless movements Of the cause Of all
this anxiety continually intensified the fear Of
terrible fall, a Mangled corpse, and stricken
household. 1 human life hnug By slender
twig, liable to snap without the slightest VAIL
ing.
It became painfully evident tho boy would
perish from cold Il not extricated. and, aa tue
last alternative, it Was decided to feu the tree.
Stout ropes were fastened high up to let it como
down slowly, willing hands took firm hold, and
the saw was briskIy piled. The monarch OF the
forest 6uccumbed at length, amidst tho widest
demonstrations Of iasane delight from it's dazcd
supreme interest as the tree gradually inclined
from the perpendicular aud its top started to-
ward the sodearth. In spite Of the exertions
Of tho men holding the ropes it struck against q
huge maple, but ere the collision took place tho
boy gave one frantic yell, sprang upon 8 limb Of
the map1o, ran to the trunk with the speed and
agility Of q squirrel, and in a few brief seconds
had climbed higher than before. Here was Al
circumstance, night was near at
band, aud hope almost died out ia each bosom.
Tho moon rose clear and bright and beauti-
fu tbs air was crisp and the night bitterly sharp.
Midnight came on apace, and still tho distracted
youth remained among the highest branches OF
he leafess tree. Vainly the crowd inplofed
him to come down and receive food and shelter.
With au the glee OF maniac at their earnest ap-
oeals. A happy thought eventually loomed up,
which no time Was lost in putting into practice.
The throug dispersed, with tue exception OF = |
,man number OF men who secreted themselves |
>ehiad trees and logs to bo in readiness for |
shatever emergency might demand their assist-
Lnce. Then young playmate Of the crazy boy, |
It the foot Of the trea, presented dishes |
II food. and begged him to come down and get |
something to eat. This measure finally succeed /
ID; the boy yielding to the temptation, and in a
title while once more stood npoa the ground |
'ome OF tho men quietly stepped from the1r con- I
ealment, secured and carried him home. The |
'oor fellows hands and face and feet we're badly |
rozen as the result Of his fearful exposure for |
ver fifteen hours during the rigora Of the cold /
at day and hight Of the season. The Joy OF tho
fiends at the announcement may bs imagined
sFeEy attention was paid the poor sufferer thst /!
nection could devise. and he is progressing
avorably, though his intellect is yet AZ clouded
8 before he underwent the dreadful experience I
1 that eyentful Saturday, which none who par
lcipated in the exciting scene will b likely for |
aany years to forget