The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1876-11-20

crons 10 become bewlliered. like u
child thSt has gone astFay in clint
in.. quite aside from the assoni.hmert
that the story must cause. il it comes
10 TIE ears Of my pArishoners and sup
porter. Up. then / ~ill close my
eyes, and act as If were performing
90 the s1fs tarf q my garden"
In the space Of = minute stood al
my legs in the lantern. and wondered
az ny foolish weakness, when oh
served. - nay terror. that / still had
the mos difficult part OF my under
taking 10 perform Raising my hands
above my heal ioseixe the smoot stone
caves, l became aware that they were
at least fo~pt and half beyond my
reach In vain dli rise ON nv tip
toes. AMI stretch out my arn,. oonval-
sive!y; it seemed highly probable ihat
! .bould have 10 spend the night in this
situation.
This was truly lao agreeable consid-
eTation. for tue seat was only just large
snough for me 10 81. upright In it. aud
il | fell asleep, which was possible, |
should lie preeipi,ated heailong upon
the pavement Then they could COL
lrct my bones the next morning
At this critical moment was re.
joiced by the appearance Of the sexton
on the caves He had missed me, AMI
bad come to seek me.
"SilbermaLn," | cried, interrupting
his exclamation Of astonishment. Il am,
as you see. in peculiar dilemma. since
/
help me. 1t is no use to bring q rope,
since you would not have room 10 brace
yourself. Ii you bend down, however.
and reach me your hand, you can exert
Your entire strength, aud raise me
You are "A powerful man. and am not
particularly heavy"
"Oh. sir, am sure that cannot lift
you :" be replied.
MY good man, you must" | assert
ed. Il cannot indeed pass the whole
night III tins situation, aad, moreover,
might pack up my bundle tomorrow
immediately, when this stupid story
became known. Do not be foolish,
therefore. and give me your hand"
In reply the sexton crouched down
nnwilllngly, and stretched out his hand,
which | firmly siezed with both of mine
by the wrist. while | swung myself out
into mid air. | felt one or two convul-
sive Jerks, and was drawn up about half
a foot. but then at once let down again.
He could not raise me.
looked up. Such visage asmet my
gaze. may | never in my life see again
1t was pale as death, the protruding
eyes stared with the expression of meas
ureless terror into the abyss beneath
Us, and cold swea, stood upon his
forehead. Let go'' lac cried. Curse
upon you. let 90. You will break my
arm can hold on no longer. and
shall be dashed in pieces"
ment ofextreme peril. My hair rose
my brain reelea. expected myself
every instant to plunge below My
desperation gave me GOODNESS. and was
surprised at the clearness and consisten-
ey with which | spoke
"Silbermann" | said, listen Ia me,
aLd cease this unreasonable clamor
| can feel that you are gaining the
more and more every sue
'tS3ft 's''Hhi* ~ ttt 90 VI Suu
shall perish: il not, we both will, and /
assure you shall not let 90 As long $
can hold on. You had better. there
fore, draw me mp at once"
| saw that he set his teeth together. /
aud closed his eyes. Then followed q
terrible eSertion of strength. and was
kneeling upon the caves The sexton
lay beside me in deep swoon. | now
bore him carefully through the trap
door 10 the ves'ry. and gave him water.
So that he soou recovered consciousness:
hut neither of US has ever forgotten
that perilous adventure upon the caves
of the church roof.
As for myself. three months passed
before | again trod this almost fatal
place, ati you easily imagine that
avoided st. Peters lantern like fire
The sexton kept tue secret. assuring
inquisitive questioners that an eccen-
trio Englishman. travelling through the
country. had taken his seat in the Ian.
tern, and this version uf the story was
generally believed.
Although the gymnastic mania was
not entirely frightened ont of me by
this adventure, IL only remained in a
form, and I have since con-
fined my atle,hic exploits to places less
pcrilous than the scene Of those mo-
ments of terror.