The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-30

cape. The stones with which the walls
of the well were laid were rough and
jagged as far up as the boy could reach,
and the chinks and crevices between
them were large. Frank says that he
knew the only way of escape that was
open to him was to climb up the wall,
aided by the jagged stones and cracks.
Unfortunately the well was too wide to
permit his placing foot on either side,
by which his ascent would have been
comparatively easy. So he was COM
PEELED to creep up one side. After sew
eral attempts he drew himself from the
water, one crevice affording q secure
footing while he felt about for another.
He could see by the opening above that
the well was not very deep, and the lit
tie fellow says he prayed to God to give
him strength to reach the top. His
progress was very slow. The stones
were damp and slippery, and as he slow
ly dragged himself up the wall his great
fear was that he would miss some foot
hold and fall to the bottom again. This
fear was realized when the boy was half
way up. AS he was feeling carefully
above him for another crevice the stone
upon which he was standing with one
foot gave way, and he was the second
time precipitated into the water. Get
ting up to the point from which he fell
had taken him a long time, so long that
he could see by the hole above that it
was getting dark outside.
The fall and the thought of having all
his difficult task to do over again were
disheartening, but he lost no time in re
newing the ascent He removed his
shoes this time, thinking he could cling
better to the stones in his stocking feet.
He had been considerably bruised by his
fall. Before he had gained the height
he had reached before, his fingers were
torn and bleeding, as were his feet. He
could feel the blood ooZe out from be-
meath his finger-nails when he thrust his
fingers in the creviCes and drew himself
up. After making step upward ne
was obliged to stop and rest. AT last he
got to within four or five feet of the top.
In reaching up for another crevice he
found that quite large stone had been
placed in the wall, and in order to get
another hold he must make his way
either to the right or left. In edging
around this obstacle his feet slipped out
of a crack where he had placed them,
leaving him clinging to the wal by the
tips of his fingers. He could not re-
cover his footing, and, after sustaining
his weight for an instant by his fingers,
his hold gave way, and, with cry of
agony, he plunged once more back to
/ the bottom.
/ Frank says that he then gave up all
hope Of getting out of the we'll. His
strength was almost gone, and the
thought of again dragging himself, with
torn fingers and bleeding feet, up the
wall was maddening. But he says he
thought of his father and mother, and
knew that they would be almost crazed
at his long absence, and this nerved him
to renew the attempt to escape. The
rain had now commenced falling, and ev-
erything was wrapped in the densest
darkness. By the same slow and painful
stages the boy made his way up the wall,
after resting for several minutes, stand
ing in the chilly water. He says it seemed
to- him as if it was nearly morning, so
| slow was the progress he had made At
last in reaching up he touched the boards
covering the well. He was so overcome
| at this that he did not dare move for q
long time, for fear he would lose his hold
again. Finally, he felt cautiously about,
and found the opening through which he
had fallen. After moments rest he got
both hands on the top of the well, and
/ putting all his strength in the last effort
drew himself out on the ground. He took
step or two and fell to the ground un-
conscious. When he recovered he saw
the lamp of the man who discovered him,
and called. 1t must have been about
els when he fell in the well. 1t was
1870 when he was found, having been in
the well at least three hours
The boys hands, feet and limbs are
| terribly lacerated, and his body is badly
bruised. His tinger,tips are worn nearly
to the bone in some places. In spite of
his injuries and terrible experience no
serious consequences are anticipated
6trOudsburg (Pa) Cor. ~ Y. World.