Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-05-25

tDlnS uOne. W lJn Ine ala OF some
of the loose rope they fastened the
cable to a huge bowlder behind the
tree, and then they gave three cheers
for the finished work.
My sakesi" cried a small boy,
"won't his hands burn by the time he
slides overt"
Some of the other boys laughed,
and the whole company gathered
round to see what would be done
next Placing the barn-door hangers
one before the other on the wire rope,
just at the edge of the bluff, where it
happened to be in reach, the young
builder proceeded to tie the wicker
chair to them in such a way that its
weight kept the wheels of the hangers
securely balanced on top of the wire
cable.
Suddenly the whole thing dawned
upon the assembled multitude.
Shouts of surprise and delight at the
skill and ingenuity OF the enterprise,
and eager questions as to when the
bridge would be opened, came from
every lip A gentleman pressed for
ward and said:
do you intend to operate this
bridge, sir?"
Yes, sir. I'm going over as soon
as the chair is secure"
I'll give you ten dollars to let me
go first"
Cant do it, sir. I'm going my
self"
~Yes, but you could come after
me-
~Guess not How could 1 get the
car back?"
I'll make it thirty dollars-fifty.'
NO, sir. I'm going first
Cant you send the car back to
me-"
NO. Don't you see it's up hill.
The ear will go down easy,but there's
no getting her back. Besides, can't
stop. Got an engagement, you
know, on the other side
How will you get back yourself?
"Ch, don't care to- I'm going
over to stay"
Jurt here the Postmaster drew the
stranger aside and whispered in his
ear. The man laughed, and asked
no more questions.
1t was moment of intense excite
ment
Hold her steady, boys, while | get
in. When 1 say go, let her slide"
The young man sat down in the
chair swinging under the rope. Two
stout fellows took hold on each side
and drew it back. 1t moved easily
on the rope, and there was little
shout of applause.
Hold onl" cried the Postmaster
could you not take this mail bag in
your lap?"
mo; the rope might break. Every
pound tells. and I'm not very light.
Nonsensel" cried the stranger
who wished to cross. The rope
will bear two like you"
"Well, how much does the bag
weigh?"
Only two pounds"
"All right; I'll take it. Ready now
Col"
Go he did. The car, drawn on.
ward by the weight of its load, shot
out over the river with the speed Of
the wind. The rope bent under the
weight, and two crowds gathered or
the banks and held their breaths in
alarm. Then it began to slacken its
speed. The rope under the strain
made loop again, and suddenly the
intrepid voyager stopped in mid-air
perhaps hundred feet from the
shore. A wild shout of dismay went
up from the people. The navigator
looked up at the slender rope ovel
river sixty feet below. In despair he
gazed at the shore Where was his
the ground behind the people. Some
one found her, and they all turned tC
see what had happened, and left tn,
lucllless voyager to swing slowly
backward and forward i'm the wind
and utterly out of reach.
The situation was desperate. Why
had he not drawn the cable tighter
If it had been secured properly thi.
dreadful accident would not have oc
Cured. The people on the bank.
ran hither and thither in helples!
confusion. Those nearest to then
were busy with the poor child, who's,
nerves had been shattered by tn,
accident. and the young man wa
neglected.
; Presently they took the young wo
man home, and then they turned t.
see what could be done to rescu,
him. After some little delay rop,
was procured and an effort made Il
: throw it to him. He failed to catcl
; it. though it touched his chair twice
Still they kept on and at last he Sc
cured il. A dozen stout fellows be
gan to pull on it, and his car slowl,
and gently rolled ashore. amidst tn,
cheers and the shouts of the assem-
: bled populace. Twenty hands wer
reached out to pull him in and h
landed in the midst of frantic com
pany of men and boys. Would tn,
bridge be open to travel? The con
t ductor of the express train wante,
I his passengers taken over. The ex
press man had trunk of valuable
} that must cross somehow.
A big man in a travelling sui
pressed through the crowd an,
! seized his hand just as he stepped
: out of the ear.
did you build that bridge?"
Yes, sir, L did"
"Very bright ideal once saw on