Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-12-30

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from the earth.
As looked, ia this situation,
under me at the defective lantern,
I found that I was not directly
over it -indeed, it was more than
two feet further from the wall
than had thought.
This circumstance, however,
caused me little anxiety. Giving
myself q swing, by which | easily
pressed one foot against the build
ing, j sprung safely into my rest
ing place in the broken lantern.
Here sat long time smoking
my cigar, drumming with my
heels on the wall,and complacent-
ly enjoying the cool of the even
ing and the magnificent pros
pect.
The sun was setting before l
thought of undertaking my re-
turn, which | was specially in
duced to do by the sight of one or
two persons who were standing
below and looking up at me.
1t was not three minutes before
quite crowd of people had gath
cred about them to enjoy the
novel spectacle of O man sitting in
st. Peters lantern.
"Halloo!' thought /; sit is now
time to return. Some one will
find out who / am, and then there
will be pretty gossip in the place.
But / suddenly became aware
that my return was not so easy.
Ny seat was so 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 be-
tween my hands upon the lantern.
Then could rise to my full height
and turn around on my own
axis.
This way Of raising yourself ev-
cry gymnast knows and practices,
but every one knows, two, what
an exertion of muscular strength
in hands and arms is necessary in
this procedure, and any mistake
would occasion a failure, perhaps
fall below.
Now, there is vast difference
between a bar erected on level
ground and an iron lantern on the
wall of church a hundred feet
high, from which a fall upon the
rough pavement must have been
absolutely fatal.
The more considered my stu
alton the less it pleased me, and
there 1 sat, smiled feebly at the
multitude below, which increased
every moment, ashamed to cry for
help, or make known my fear.
"Well," said / to myself, "IfI
sit here any longer l shall lose ev-
cry favorable chance to escape. 1t
is ludicrous to become bewildered
like a child that has gone astray
in climbing, quite aside from the
establishment that the story must
cause, if it comes to the ears of
my Pensioners and supporters
Up, then! / will close my eyes
| and act as if were performing on
the soft turf of my garden"
In the space of a moment l stood
| on my legs in the lantern, and
wondered at my foolish weakness,
when / observed to my terror that
| l still had the most difficult part
of my undertaking to perform
Raising myhand above the smooth
stone caves, l became aware that
they were at least a foot and a half
beyond my reach. In vain did l
rise on my tip toes and stretch out
nay arms cOnvulsively; it seemed
highly probable that / should
have to spend the night in this
situation.
This was truly no agreeable sit
uation, for the seat was only large
enough for me to sit upright in it,
and if / should fall asleep, which
was possible. / should be precipi-
tated headlong upon the pave
ment. Then they could collect my
bones next morning.
| AT this CRITICAL moment i was
rejoiced by the appearance of the
sexton on the caves. he had miss
ed me, and had come to seek me.
"Silberman !" L cried, inter-
ruptihg his EXPLANATIONS of aston
ishment, 81 am, as you see, in a
peculiar dilemma, since / cannot
reach the caves. You must help
me! 1t is no use to bring rope,
since you would not have room to
brace Yourself. fyou bend down.
however, and exert your entire
strength, you can raise me. You
are a powerful man, and 1 am not
particularly heavy"
| ooh, sir, / am sure that l cannot
lit you,' he replied.