The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-01-25

to perform. Raising my hands above
my head to seize the smooth stone
caves became aware that they were
at least foot and a half beyond my
reach. In vain did I rise on my tip
toes and stretch out my arms convul.
sively it seemed highly probable that
should have to spend the night in
this situation.
This was truly no agreeable consid-
GRAFTON, for the seat was only large
enough for me to sit upright in it, and
if feel asleep, which was possible, I
should be precipitated headlong upon
the pavement. Then they could col
lect my bones the next morning.
At this critical moment l was re-
joiced at the appearance of the sexton
on the caves. He had missed me, and
had come to seek me.
*'Silberman - cried, intcrrupting
his exclamation of establishment, II
am, as you see, in peculiar di-
lemma, since l cannot reach the caves.
You must help me. 1t is no use to
bring rope, since you would not have
room to brace yourself. If you bend
down, however, and reach me your
hand, you can exert your entire
strength and raise me. You are DOW.
erful man and I am not particularly
heavy"
ooh, sir, am sure that I cannot
lift you!'' he replied.
''My good man, you must g assert
ed. Il cannot indeed pass the whole
night in this situation, and, moreover,
I might pack up my bundle tomorrow
Immediately when this stupid story
became known. Do not be foolish,
therefore, but give me your hand"
In reply, the sexton crouclled down,
unwillingly, and stretched out his
hand, which firmly seized with both
mine by the wrist, while I swung my.
self out into mid-air. | felt one or two
convalsive jerks, and was drawn up
about half foot, but then at once let
down again. He could not raise me.
Hooked up. Such a vision as met
my gaze may never in my life see
again. 1t was pale as death the pro-
truding eyes stared with the expires.
sion Of measureless terror into the
abyss beneath us, and cold sweat
stood upon his forehead.
"Let go - he cried. Courses upon
you. let go! You will break my arm! l
can hold on no longer, and will be dash
ed in pieces below"
He walled like child at this moment
of extreme peril. My hair rose-my
brain reeled. 1expected myself, every
instant to plunge below. My despera-
ton gave me GOODNESS, and was sur
prised at the GOODNESS and consistency
with which spoke.
''Silberman,' said, 'listen to me and
cease this unreasonable clamOr. lean
feel that you are gaining the coun-
terpoise more and more every success
sive second. If I let go Of you shall
perish if not, we both will, and I as
sure you that shall hold on as long as
can. You had better, therefore, draw
me up at once.''
saw that he set his teetl. together
and closed his eyes. And then fol.
lowed terrible exertion of strength,
and l was kneeling upon the ewes.
The sexton lay beside me in deep
sWOOn. l now bore him carefully
through the trap door to the vestry,
and gave him water, so that he soon
recovered consciousness !; but neither
of us have ever forgotten that perilous
adventure upon the ewes of the church
roof.
AS for myself, three months passed
before again trod this almost fatal
place, and you can easily imagine that
l avoided St. Peters lantern like fire.
The sexton kept the secret, assuring
inquisitiye questioners that an eccen-
trio Englishman, travelling through the
country had taken his seat in the Ian
tern, and this story was currently be-
lieved.
Although the gymnastic mania was
not entirely frightened out of me by
this adventure it only remained in a
modified form and have since confined
my athletic exploits to places less peril
GUS than the scene of those moments
| of terror.