Connecticut western news., 1876-11-10
ON THE VERGE OF DEATH.
A CHEMISTS ADVENTURE

kind of gymnastics. Athletic exercise, in the widest sense of the term, was to me pleasure to which had surrender ed myself, body and soul, and in conse- quence of which l possessed, although not tall and strong, some muscle and high degree of confidence, while I had acquired, in perilous situations, pres ence of mind-all of which qualities form even now a considerable portion of my character. When at last my studies were ended, and had obtained situa- tion as pastor in western Germany, I did not give up my old inclination for gym nastics, and there was considerable talk one fine day over the circumstance shat the young clergyman of the church of St. Blasius had been seen hanging in his garden by his legs, and in this headlong position caressing his little son, who was crawling under him on the ground. possessed such an article of humanity, since, on my accession to the pastorate, l had steered into the harbor of mstri- mony.
 But my favorite diversion, when I had few leisure hours, and the sun was not too scorching, consisted in climbing to a narrow projection on the lofty church roof, and walking about there while I smoked my cigar.
 What magnificent place this old church roof wasl Quite another world than that which lay far below me-a re- zion of rock and stone, without vegeta- tion or water, except when it rained, and the gutters were filled, in which case this spe cial realm presented little attrac- tion. It was world where had often indulged in'star gazing.
 regarded this airy region as my special province, where reigned in soli- tary majesty over my subj cts, consisting of daws and swalows-often very noisy and intolerable ones. It excited in me merry, perhaps somewhat boyish feeling, as I thought what look my superintendent would put on when he heard of my excursions in the narrow, gloomy towers, between great grinninR stone heads, fat cherubs, scaly dragons and gutters of zinc, or on the pinnacles of the towers, from which was present ed wide prospect over picturesque landscape.
 Sometimes I climbed down in the broad gutter ill the middle of the roof, from which nothing was to be seen above but the blue heavens and the swarming swallows, and below, the broad paved church square, on which. a hundred and twenty feet beneath, the people crept about like ants. It was during one of these excursions that the event occurred which I will re- late, and which thoroughly cured me for several months of my desire for roof climbing.
 I must first inform you that, around the outside of the cathedral, just where the roof terminated, ran smooth pro- jecting edge, about foot wide. Under this, considerably lower, just above the great entrance gate, was huge stone projection, which formerly supported a colossal figure of St. Peter, holding 8 great iron lantern. The statue had long ago disappeared, and half of the Ian tern was broken of, so that what was left had the appearance of an arm chair without legs.
 Standing on the stone caves one day, above this relic of past centuries, the thought suddenly seized me that it would be an amusement of new and original kind to swing myself down and enjoy my cigar in this fantastic arm chair.
 Without hesitating moment, I turned around, kneeled down, seized the caves with convulsive grasp, and the next instant was dangling in midair over the abyss, more than hundred feet from the earth.
 | As looked, in this situation, under me at the defective lantern, I found that was not directly over it-indeed, it was two feet further from the wall than had thought.
 This circumstance, however, caused 1 mo Ekt1o SSu;nc rooueo1$ o swing, by which easily pressed one foot against the building, I sprung safe ly into my resting place in the broken lantern.
 Here I sat long time, smoking my cigar, drumming with my heels on the wall, and mplacently enjoying the cool of the evening and the magnificent prospect.
 The sun was setting before I thought of undertaking my return, which I was especially induced to do by the sight of one or two persons, who were stand ing below and gazing up at me.
 It was not three minutes before quite 8 crowd of people had gathered about them to enjoy the spectacle of man sitting in St. Peter's lantern.
 "Halloo !'' thought I, cit is now time to return Some one will find out who I am, and then there will be pretty gossip in the place." But I suddenly became aware that return was not so easy.
 My seat was 50 constructed that ] could not rise in my usual way. The sides of the lantern were of smooth iron, and so high that could get no hold. There was nothing left me but to press my hands upon the seat behind me, raise myself so, and draw my legs after me until they could rest between my hands upon the lantern. Then I could rise to my full height. and turn around