The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-02-14

met my entreaties for employment, and
was turi ing home ward with lisiless
step. wien, passing an immense church,
was attracted by a group of men at
its base.
lmpelled by some strange Impulse |
approached and mingled with them.
A workman was standing near hy.
looking up at the great steeple, which
lowered aloft some $50 feet aboye them,
while gentleman, evidently architect,
was addressing him in earnest Ian.
guage, and at the same time painting
to the golden cross at the summit of
the spirr. .. N
al tell you," he exclaimed, as drew
near, 'it 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. Coward !
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" Q
81 would, II 1 were able," said the
architect. "But go If you will; let it
be. My honor is pledged to have it
done at any price. and l can find a
braver man than you to do it,"
The carpenter walked away with n
dogged, slouching step, and the gentle
man was about to walk away also,
when stepped for ward. ....
"What is 1t you want done, slip" I
asked. ~ am q carpenter; perhaps l
can do it,"
lie turned eagerly towards me.
"l will make it worth your while.
Take down that cross, aud l will pay
you a hundred dollars. You will have
to ascend those ornamental blocks, and
l t"li you candidiy they are not to he
depended on; they are weak and rotten,
for they have been there for years"
I looked at the spire; it was square
at the base, and tape ed tu sharp
point, while along each angle were
nailed small gilded blocks Of wood.
"lt's a dangerous place to work" !" /
said, 'and there will be even moro
peril in descending than sending.
Suppose l succeed in moving the cross,
ami 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"
"IIere it is," l said, "and as you
value your soul keep your word
with me. My wife and children are
starving, or l would not attempt this
work If | die they can live on the
hundred dollars for awhile uDtilmy sick
wife RECEIVERS her strength"
"l'll make it hundred and fifty"
exclaimed the architect, and may Cod
protect you. If had the skill neces-
sary 10 ascend that steeple | would ask
no man 10 risS his life there. But
come, and keep a steady hand and eye. :"
followed him into the church, then
up into the sp.re, until we paused be.
fore narrow window. This was the
point from which / must start on the
peri'ous feat which i had undertaken.
Casting single glance at the people
in the street below, mere specks in the
distance. reached out from the win
dow, and grasping one Of the ornamen-
tai blocks, swung myself out upon the
spire. r.....
For an instant my courage falteret,
but thu remembrance of my starving
family came TO my aid. and with a 81.
lent prayer for protection and success,
placed my hand upon the next block
above my head, and clambered up.
From block TO block went, steadily
and cautiously, trying each one ere !
/ trusted my weight upon 1t.
Two.thirds of the space had been
passed, when suddenly the block that
supported me moved--gave way. Oh,
heavens ! Never, though | should live
to see hundred years, shall c, ase to
shudder at the recollection OF that ter
rible moment. Yet even in che midst
of my agony, as felt myself slipping
lack ward, ! did not for one second
lose my presence OF mind.
II seemed TO me that never before
had my senses been so pI eternaturally
acute as then. when a horrible death
seemed inevitable.
Down, down slipped, grasping al
each block rs ] passel it by, until al
length my fearful course was arrested,
and then, while my head leeled with
the sudden reaction, great shout came
from the peop'e Drlow.
"Come downl come down |" called