The Van Buren press., 1874-05-19

NV vile ana cnlluren are starving, oT L
would not attempt this work If l die,
they can live on the hundred dollars for
awhile, until my sick wife RECEIVERS her
strength.
"Tll make it a hundred and fifty, F"
exclaimed the architect, land may God
protect you III had the skill necessary
to ascend that steeplc, would ask no
man to risk his life there. But come, and
keep a steady hand and eye. p"
followed him into the church, then
into the spire, 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 spccks in the
distance-I reached out from the win.
dow, and, grasping one of the ornamental
blocks, swung myself out from the spire
For an instant my courage ialtered,
but the remembrance of my starving
family came to my aid, and, with a silent
prayer for protection and success, |
placed my hand on the next block above
my head, and cambered 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 that
supported me moyed-gave way. o.,
heavens never, though should live to
see hundred years, shall cease to
shudder at the recollection Of that ter
rible moment,
Yet even in the midst Of my agony, as
l felt myself slipping backward, | did
not for one second lose my presence Of
mind.
1t seemed to me that never before had
my senses been so naturally acute as
then, when horrible death seemed in.
evitablc.
Down, down l 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
sudden 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 it again. Come
down."
But no more than ever now was de-
termined to succeed. was not one to
give up, after having undertaken a din.
cult task.
Coolly but cautiously commenced the
ascent once more, first seeking in vain
to reach across to the next row OF blocks,
for did not dare to trust myself again
o .h~s --.i.i.h had proun.l 80 .-~~~s.vs
Gus. This | was compelled to do, how
ever, until the space between the angles
became sufficiently small to allow mo to
swing across Accomplishing my pur-
pose at length, | went up more rapidly,
carefully testing each block as ] pro
ceeded.
Ere long reached the cross, and there
| paused to rest, looking down from the
dizzy height with coolnes that even then
astonlshed 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
fragment disappeared, l found 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 find en-
ployment
Steadily and cautiously lowered my
self from block to block, and at length
reached the spirc window, amidst the
cheers Of those assembled In the street.
Inside the steeple the architect placed
u roll of bank notes in my hand.
"You have well earned the money,
he said. at 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 gray" -"
Aud so it was That moment of in.
tense agony, while slipping downward,
hand blanched my hair until it appeared
like that Of an old man. The work Of
years had been done in an instant.
Entering the bare, cheerless room
which was now all called my home, l
found visitor awaiting me--my late en-
ployer.
Harvey" said he, extending his
hands, " have done great wrong 1t
cost me a terrible papg to believe in
your guilt, bat circumstances were so
strongly against you, that was forced
to believe it. have found the coin,
Harvey; it slipped under the secret
drawer in nay desk, Can you forgive
me, dear old friend ~
My heart was too full to speak. ST.
lently pressed his hand.
al will undo the wrong have done.
All the world shall know how | accused
you unjastly, not through my words
only, but through my actions, too, You
must be my partner, Harvey. Ifyou re-
fuse shall feel that you have not for
given me.
did not refuse. Instead, thankful
" accepted the offer which my friend SO
generously made; knowing that no surcr
method could have been devised to ST.
lence forever the tongue Of slander, and
free my name from the unmerited re-
proach which of late rested upon it.