The news and herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1876-1881, 1876-12-28

uhCil Inoy COlN1 rcSG between my
hands and the lantern. Then
could rise to my full height, and
turn around on my own axis.
This way Of raising yonr self ovcry
gymnast knows and practices, but
every one knows, too, what an ex-
ertion of muscular strength in
hands and arms is necessary in this
procedure, and that any mistake
would occasion failure-perllaps,
too, IL fall below.
Now, there is vast difference be-
tween bar erected on level ground,
md an iron lantern on the wall of a
church q hundred feet high, from
which u fall upon the rough pave.
mcnt must have IN absolutely fatal
effect.
The more I considered my situa-
tion the less it pleased mo, and
there 1 sut and smiled feebly at the
multitude below, which Increased
every moment, ashamed to ory for
help, or make known my fear.
Well" said I to myself, eff I sit
here any longer 1 shall lose every
favorable chance to escape. 1t is
ludicroua to become bewildered, like
child that hos gone ustray in climb
ing, quite aside from the astonish-
ment that the story must cause, if it
comes to the oars of my parishione:s
ind supporters. Up, then! I will
close my eyes and act as if I were
performing on the soft turf of my
garden
In the space Of a minute I stood
on my legs in the lantern, and Won
derel at my foolish weakness, when
[ observed, to my terror, that I still
had the most difficult part of my
undertaking to perform. Raising
my hands above my head to seize
the smooth stone ewes, I became
aware that they were ut least foot
and half beyond my reach. In
vain dill I rise on my tiptoes and
stretch out my arms convulsively !;
it seemed highly probable that I
should have to spend the night in
this situation.
This was truly no agreeable con
siderntion for the scat was only
just large enough for mo to sit up
rlg'lt in it. and if fell asleep, which
was possible, I should he precipitat-
cd headiong upon the pavement.
Then they could collect my bones
the next morning.
at this critical moment 7 was
rejoiced by the appearance of the
sexton On the caves. He had
missed me, and had come to seek
mo.
"Silbermann, I cried, interrupt
ing his exclamations Of aatonish-
ment, II am, Us you sec, III q peculiar
dilemma, since cannot reach the
caves. You must help me. It isno
use to bring a rope, since You would
not have room to brace yourself. If
you bend down, however, md reach
INC your hanG, you can exert your
entire strength, and raiso me. You
are powerful man, and I am not
particularly heavy"
"Oh, sir, I am sure that I cannot
lift you! he replied.
"Aly good man, you must !" I
asserted. II cannot indeed pass the
whole night in this situation, and,
moreover, T might pack up my
bundle tomorrow Immediately,
when this stupid story became
known. Do not be foolish, there
fore, and give me your hand"
In reply tho sexton crouched
down unwillingly, and stretched out
his hand, which firmly seized with
both mine by the wrist, while I
swung myself out into midnir. I felt
one or two convulsive jerks, and was
drawn up about half foot, but
then ut once let down again He
could not raise ME.
Ilooke1 up. Such vissge as
met my gaze, may L never in my
life see again! 1t was pale as death;
the protruding eyes stared with tho
expression Of measuroless terror into
the abyss beneath us, and cold
sweat stood upon his forehead
"Let go!" he cried. Courses upon
you, let go! You will o. eak my
arm l can hold on no longe:, ind
shall be dashed in riaces!'
Ho walled like O child, at this
momel4t of extreme peril. My hair
rose--my brain reeled. T expocto T.,
myself every instant to plunge be-
low. My desperation gave mo cool
ness, and / was surprised at the
cleurness and consistency with
which I spoke.
"Silbermann I said, 'listen to
me, and cease, this unreasonable
clamor. I can feel that you are
gaining the counterpoise more and
more every successive second. II 1
let go of you shall perish if not,
we both will, and assure you that
I shall not lot 60, as long as I can
hold on. You had better, there
fore, draw me up at once"
saw that he set his teeth togeth-
or, and closed his eyes. Then fol-
lowed terrible exertion of strength
and I WIS kneeling upon the caves.
The sexton lay beside me in a deep
swoon. I now bore him carefully
through the trapdoor to the vestry,