Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-11-19
running from side to side. heard a littl

sleepy, sobbing voice: "I want TO get down
Il want to get down" 1t seemed coming
from the sky. We looked TO the trees, 70
the roof, amazed and wondering He was
alive, thank God, but where was he2
There was bright moonlight, and on COM
ing TO the far end of the house the appall-
ing sight met us. For two or three days
men had been painting the house. They
had stood upon narrow staging, only
two or three boards bound together and
upheld by ropes As the next day was
holiday they had left work early, and
had taken down the long ladder, leaving
the-little platform hanging far above the
upper windows, and there on that narrow
ledge sat our baby, our darling. OH
what an agony of despair was ours. We
never thought how he came there. We
knew only that He who cares for little
birds had saved him, could save him. l
uttered a cry and came near falling. Only
thedear lnother-love was strong to COM
prehend TO think, to act. Mamma,
mamma" walled the little dear, 4" 1 wants
to get down" Clear and sweet rang
mammals voice; no trembling now:
" Yes, darling, sit very still, Mamma is
coming for you" 80 Godl what shall
we doY' What can prevent him from be-
ing dashed to our feet. New he would
move about and now peer over
We could see the little sweet, white
face, all sleepy and composed and
crying. What groans and prayers were
uttered Still mamma went on so brave
ly: Mamma is coming for her baby;
keep very still do not move; he is mann
mas little man." Then she called
Mother, mother, come and talk to him
while we bring the ladder" for the rest of
us seemed quite paralyzed. 1t was all we
could lift-mamma, Bridget and /. Oh,
with what beating hearts we dragged it
onl Would he sit there until we could
put it up and someone go TO him9 There
stood grandmother weak, feeble voice
sounding strong and cheerful-encourag
ing him, calling him every pet name:
Keep very still, Neddy mamma is COM
ing. DO not try to see ganma-don't-
novel" We somehow got the ladder
there, and somehow, with wonderful
strength, we lifted it up-carefully, lest
it should jar the platform-and even be-
fore it was fairly placed, trail, timid
mamma was halfway up. Who else
should go to her lamb? Who but the
mother could save himg Bridget andI L
held the ladder with all of our strength,
but it waved from side to side as though
it would fall, and mamma going up and
up. heard voices at the gate-papa and
the men coming. ran to them: "Oh,
hushi hushl no noise, no talkingp' and |
pointed to the appalling scene--our treas
ure hanging between heaven and earth, and
mamma swaying back and forth on the
shaking ladder; grandma's dear voice
still shouting: "Yes, dear, be brave lit
tie man; mamma is coming-sit still,
In an instant strong hands were holding
the ladder, but they spoke no word. Nam
ma is almost up. Can she reach HIM
Can she hold him? Slowly she stretches
out her hand-the platform swings-the
ladder totters, it is so badly placed. No
groans or prayers now. We do not seem
to breathe. She can just reach the little
dress-she draws him toward her-she
has him in her arms. o, thank God! She
is so frail and unused TO climbing, and
baby is so very heavy, we tremble as we
watch her slow descent. No one can go
to help her, the ladder is so insecure. The
men brace themselves, holding it with all
their strength. Slowly, cautiously-hold-
ing him with one arm, the other grasping
the rounds-she steps down round after
round. Slowly, wearily, another and an
| other step-one more; now papa has gone
up far enough ~ reach her. He takes the
dear lamb, gives I'm to my arms, then
helps mamma; but as she reaches the foot
she sinks fainting to the ground. But be-
fore that such shouts, such cries of Joy!
Some on their knees, some wildly dancing,
and the big clock strikes-twelve. 1t is
the Thanksgiving morning.
The baby looks rather astonished at the
commotion as he is passed from one to
another and is kissed and cried over, and
finally pipes up: 81 wants my supper,
1 do" Sure enough! who had ever
thought of supperH The neighbors wish
us joy and go home, and soon Bridget has
cheerful fire and fresh tea-the table had
been standing all the time-and we go
in to our supper, or, rather, breakfast, full
of gratitude to God Only the baby
seemed ignorant that anything particular
had happened. He little knew our hours
of anguish. But we could not do enough
for him. Bread and milk was not suf-
| ticient; nurse insisted he must have
cream, and noticed cooks best MARINA
lade was spread on his bread. Was there
ever such Thanksgiving breakfast? He
told us how it was. He "just coed UP on
Jacks beanstalk-upity upl upity up!
where the big giant lived; and he keeped
still in the giants house SO ne couldn't
find him." All, yes; we understood. He
had climbed up while the men were away,
and while he g keeped still" he had fallen
asleep and they had come back and taken
the ladder. But God had watched over
our little bird Then he went on: "Ven
it got all dark / cried and | called man.
ma" i wonder there was anything left
of him, we kissed him and loved him so.
Soon ne was sweetly sleeping in mammals s
arms, as rosy and smiling as though moth
ing had happened, while we, bending
above him, took the great rebuke into our
hearts. -4nytting to be thankful for? Dear
Lord, have we not henCeforth remembered
our blessingsy o beautiful Thanksgiving
sun, did you anywhere rise on such CRATE.
full hearts? Was not our offering poured
out in full measure9 Was il not day OF
tender love to all? Shall we ever forget
the lesson you taught, sweet day of bless
ing, our thGaktiileSt Thanksgiving
Hearth and Home.