The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-01-12
On the Verge of Death.
A GYMNAsT's ADVENTURE,

| renown for my skill in every kind of gym
nastics. Athletic exercise, in the widest
sense OF the term, was to me n pleasure to
which had surrendered myself, body and
soul, and IN consequence of which / pos
sessed, although not tall and strong, some
muscle and high degree Of confidence.
while had acquired, in perilous situations,
presence of mind all of which qualities
form even now considerable portion of
my character,
When at last my studies were ended, and |
had obtained a situation as pastor in Wes-
tern Germany, did not give up my old in
cliration for gymnastics, and there was con-
siderable talk one fine day over the circum-
stance that the young clergyman of the |
church of ST. Blasius had been seen hang.
ing in his garden by his legs, and in this
headIong 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, |
had steered into the harbor of matrimony.
But my favor.te diversion, when had
few leisure hours, and the sun was not too
scorching, consisted in climbing to q narrow
projection on the lofty church roof and
walking about there while smoked my ci.
gar.
What magnificent place this old church
roof was! Quite another world than that
which lay below me- region of rock and
stone, without vegetation or water, except
when it rained and the cutters were filled,
III which case this special realm presented
little attraction. 1t was world where l
had often INDUCED in star gazing.
regarded this airy region as my special
province, where reigned in solitary maes.
ty over my subjects consisting of DAVIS and
swallows-often very noisy an intolerable
one IL excited in me merry, perhaps
. somewhat boyish feeling, as thought what
look my superintendent would put on
when he heard of my excursions in the mar
row, gloomy towers, and the great grinning
j stone heads, fat cherubs, scaly dragons and
CUTTERS of zinc, or on the pinnacles of the
, towers, from which was presented wild
II prospect, over picturesque landscape.
e Sometimes climbed down in the broad
: gutter in the middle of the roof, from which
n nothing was to be seen above but the blue
" heavens and the swarmng swallows, and
II below, the broad paved church square, or
IL which one hundred and twenty feet beneath
= the people crept about like ants.
l. 1t was during one of these excursions tha
" the event occurred which will relate, anC
fy which thoroughly cured me for severa
er months of my desire for house climbing
ST must first inform you that, around th
er outside of the cathedral, just where the roo
10 terminated, ran smooth projecting edg
'ss about a foot wide. Under this, considerable
to lower, just above the great entrance, was
lie huge stone projection, which formerly sup
iy ported collosal figure of Peter, holding
he great iron lantern. The statue had long ag
lat disappeared, and half the lantern was brc
'ut ken off, so that what was left had the ar
me pearance of an arm chair without legs.
Standing on the stone caves one da,
MS above this relic of past centuries, til
er. thought suddenly seized me that it would /
lot an amusement Of a new and original kin
iat to swing myself down and enjoy my Gig,
co. in this fantastic arm chair.
m Without hesitatng n moment turne
'n- around, kneeled down, seized the caves vii
convulsive grasp, and the uext instant w
Oh dangling in mid air over the abyss mo
iu' than hundred feet from the earth.
oo As looked, in this situation, under me
ely the defective lantern, | found that was n
III lty Il, &. e.
eN' ther from the wall than had thought.
Duy This circumstance, however, caused I
:, little anxiety. Giving myself swing,
a'i which easily pressed one foot against t
'"'u building, | sprung safely into my resti
ow' place in the broken lantern
Here sat long time smoking my cie
r'u' drumming with my heels on the wall, a
ucn complacent}y enjoying the cool Of the e.
'ge- ming and the magnificent prospect.
I'M The sun was setting before | thought
lh"t making my return, which l was especia
'ho' induced to do 10y the sight of one or t
'ok- persons, who were standing below and'gaz
'uch UP at Inc.
De 1t was not three minutes before Gro
of people had gathered about them to en-
''' the spectacle of man sitting in St. Pete
nv" ~, lantern.
"lIalloo!' thought, "it is now time
return! Some one will find ont who | ,
's" and then there will be Il pretty gossip in
,,,o,, place" But suddenly became aware I
VIA, return was not SO easy.
, so Ny seat was so constructed that co
orI,, rise in nay usual way. The des of the
tho tern were OF smooth iron, and so high tn
could get no hold. There was nothing
sfrs me but to press my hands on the seat l,el
and me, raise myself 50, aud draw my legs a
oody me until they could rest between my hG
sno- upon the lantern. Then | could rise to
lilo full height and turn around on my
axis.
t,ulv This way Of raising yoursalfeyery &
borg mast knows and practices, but every
how. knows, too, what an exertion of muse
- strength in hands and arms is necessar
20 in. this procedure and that any mistake W
Ioe occasion tailurc-perhaps too, fall
many low.
th,, Now, there is vast difference betwC
bar erected on level ground, and an
great l"i''''' va Wv ""', W ~" " "'"
went 'ee' "'G"' 'o"' ""'o" iai' upon
for it rougn pavement must nave All aoSoih'e'
d any IA, ehe'''
most The more ! considered my situation
r;es less it pleased me, and there | sat, 81
feebly at the multitude below, whicl
creased every momeut, ashamed to CT
10Th, help or make known my fear
broke "Well," said to myself, "if sit
in the any'longer shall lose every favorable G
lent it to escape. 1t is ludicrous to become
naires dered like a child that has gone asst
peared climbing, quite aside from the astonisl