Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-03-26

into the Splre, until we paused before a
narrow window. This was the point from
which | must start on the perilous feat
which [ had undertaken.
Casting single glance at the people
in the street below mere specks in the
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, but
the remembrance of my starving family
came to my aid, and with silent prayer
for protection and success | placed my
hand on the next block above my head
and clambered up.
From block to block l went, steadily
and cautiously, trying each one ere |
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 hundred years, shall l 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, l
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 a 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 reeled with the sud-
den reaction, a great shout came from the
people below.
"Come down, come downm called the
architect from the window; halfthe sum
shall be yours for the risk you have run.
Don't try again. Come down"
But MOI more than ever now l was de-
termined to succeed. / was not one to
give up after having undertaken 5ifll-
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 did not care to trust myself again on
that which had proved so treacherous
This I was compelled to do, however, I'M
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 | reached the cross, and there
I paused to rest, looking down from the
dizzy height with a GOODNESS that even
then ast0nished me.
A few strokes with light Ratchet 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 | found a sad pleasure
in 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 | 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
a roll of bank notes in my hand.
You have well earned the money" he
said I" 1t does me good to see a 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 gray!"
And so 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, cherries room,
which was now all | called my home, l
found visitor awaiting me-my late en-
plOyer.
Harvey" said ne, extending his hand,
have done you great wrong. 1t cost
me a terrible pang to believe in your
guilt, but circumstances were so strongly
against you that | was forced to believe
it. l 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; 1 81
lently pressed his hand.
81 will undo the wrong l have done.
All the world shall know that | have &C
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 81
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 ror wealth can efface
its memory from my heart, nor restore
my withered locks to their own raven
hue.