Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-03-13

| the base and tapered to 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 de-
scending than ascending. Suppose sue
ceed in moving the cross, and then"
eff 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 value
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 can recover her
strength
"I'll make it hundred and fifty" ex-
claimed the architect; "and may God
protect you! If | had the skill necessary
to ascend that steeple Iwould ask no man
to risk his life there. But come, and keep
steady hand and eye."
! / followed him into the church, then up
into the spire, until we paused before a
narrow window. This was the point from
which mnet storG the perllOus feat
which had undertaken.
Casting single glance at the people
|
distance-I reached out from the window,
and, grasping one of the ornamental
blocks, swung myself out upon the spire.
For an instant my courage faltered, bat
the remembrance of my starving family
came to my aid, and with silent prayer
for protection and success I placed my
hand on the next block above my head
and clambered up.
From block to block I 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 tina
supported me moved-gave way. o
heavens Never, though | should live to
see a hundred years, shall cease to shud-
der at the recollection of that terrible mo-
ment. Yet even in the midst of my ago
ny, as felt myself slipping backward, I
| did not for one second lose my presence
of mind.
It 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 I passed it by, until at
length my fearful course was arrested, and
then, while my head reeled with the sud-
den reaction, great shout came 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"
But no! more than ever now I was de-
termined to succeed. 1 was not one to
give up after having undertaken a 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 l did not care to trust myself again on
that which had proved so treacherous.
This I was compelled to do, however, un-
til the space between the angles became
sufficiently small to allow me to swing
across. Accomplishing my purpose at
length, went up more rapidly, carefully
testing each block as [ proceeded.
Ere long I reached the cross, and there
/ paused to rest, looking down from the
dizzy height with a GOODNESS that even
then astonished me-
A few strokes with light hatchet 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 frag
ment disappeared l found sad pleasure
i'll the thought that should | never reach
the ground alive my dear ones would
have ample means to supply their wants
until my wife could obtain employment
Steadily and cautiously l lowered my
self from block to block, and at length
reached the spire window amid the cheers
of those assembled in the street.
Inside the steeple the architect placed
roll of bank notes in my hand.
You have we'll earned the money" he
said. cit does me good to see man
with so much nerve-but-bless me |!
what is the matter with your hair? 1t
was black before you made the ascent,
now it is grayl"
And 50 it was That moment of in
tense agony, while slipping helplessly
downward, had blanched my hair until
it appeared like that of an old man. The
work of years had been done in an in
slant.
Entering the bare, cheerless room,
which was now all called my home, I
found visitor awaiting me-my late en-
ployer.
Harvey" said ne, extending his hand,
f" | have done you a great wrong. 1t cost
me terrible pang to believe in your
against you that was forced to believe
it. have found the coin, Harvey; it
slipped under the secret drawer in my
desk. Can you forgive me, my dear old
friend?"
My heart was too full to speak; / ST.
lently pressed his hand.
"I will undo the wrong l have done.
All the world shall know that [ have ac-
cused you unjustly, not only through my
words, but through my actions, too. You
must be my partner, Harvey. If you re-
fuse shall feel that you have not for
given me-"
did not refuse. Indeed, thankfully
accepted the offer which my friend so
generously made, knowing that no surer
method could have been devised to si-
lence forever the tongue of SANDER, and
free my name from the unmerited re-
proach which had of late rested on it.
Great prosperity has attended my
steps ever since that eventful day, but
neither prosperity nor wealth can efface
its memory from my heart, nor restore
my withered locks to their own raven
hue.
Inspired being: Whence, oh
whence, ladies, whence, oh whence came
the marvellous instinct that prompted the