The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-05-20

ST would, if were able" said the
architect. But go if you will; let it be.
Ny honor is pledged to have it down at
any price-and can find drawer man
tbs you to do it,
The carpenter walked away with a
logged, slouching step, and the gentle
man was also about to move away, as 7
stepped forward.
"What is it you want done, sir ?" |
asked. ST am carpenter; perhaps /
can do it"
He turned eagerly toward me.
81 will make it worth your while.
Take down the cross and I'll pay you q
hundred dollars. You will have to as
cend by those ornamental blocks and L
tell you candidly they have not been
depended on they must be weak and
rotten-for they have been there for
years"
I looked up at the spire it was
square at the base, and tapered to
a sharp point, while along each angle
were nailed small gilded blocks of
wood.
"It's dangerous place to work, L
said, ssand there will be even more dam
ger in descending than ascending. Sup
pose succeed in moving the stone and
then"
eff any accident happens to you, my
brave fellow, the money shall be paid to
your family. Ipromise you that. Give
me your address"
ssHere it is" said /, s'and as you
value your soul keep your word with
me. My wife and children are starving
or would not attempt this work. If 1
die, they can live on the hundred dol
lars awhile, until my sick wife RECEIVERS
her strength
"I'H make it hundred and fifty |"
exclaimed the architect, ''and may God
protect you! IF had the skill necessary
to ascend that steeple, I would ask no
man to risk his life there. But come,
and keep a steady hand and eye"
followed him into the church, then
up into the spire, until we paused be-
fore narrow window. This WAS the
point from which must certainly com
mence my perilous 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.
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 block over my
head and clambered up.
From block to block went, steadily
and cautiously, trying each one ere I
trusted my weight upon it.
Two-thirds the space was passed, when
suddenly the block that supported me
moved-gave away! Oh, heavens
never, though I should live to see a
hundred years, shall I cease to
shudder at the recollection of that ter
rible moment.
Yet even in the midst of my agony, as
I 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 preternaturaHy acute
as then, when horrible death seemed
inevitable.
Down, down I slipped, grasping at
each block as passed it, until at last
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; s'half
the sum shall be yours, for the risk you
have run. Don't try it again Come
down p
| But no more than ever now was
| determined to succeed. / was not one
to give up, and after having undertaken
a difficult task.
Coolly, but cautiously, I commenced
the ascent once more, first seeking in
vain to reach across the next row of
blocks for did not care to trust myself
again on that which had proved so
treacherous. This was compelled to
do, however, until the space between the
angles became sufficiently small to allow
me to sWinr across. Accomplishing nv