River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-01-25


ton of muscular strength in hands and
arms is necessary in this procedure,
and that any mistake would occasion a
failure-perhaps, too, fall below.
Now, there is vast difference be-
tween a bar erected on level ground
and an iron lantern on the wall of a
church 100 feet high, from which a
fail upon the rough pavement must
have an absolutely fatal effect.
The more considered my situation
the less it pleased me, and there | sat,
smiled feebly at the multitude below,
which increased every moment, asham-
ed to cry for help or make known my
fear.
"Well," said to myself, ''if | sit
here any longer shall lose every fa-
yorable chance to escape. 1t is ludi-
crous to become bewildered like child
that has gone estray in climbing, quite
aside from the establishment that the
story must cause, if it comes to the
ears of my Pensioners and support
ers. Up, then! | will close my eyes
and act as if | were performing on the
soft turf of my garden.
In the space of minute stood on
my legs in the lantern and wondered
at nv foolish weakness, when | OBJ
served to my terror that still had the
most difficult part of my undertaking
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 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 az, eeable consid-
Grafton, for the seat was only large
enough for me to sit upright in it, and
if feel asleep, which was possible, /
should be precipitated headlong upon
the pavement. Then they could col
lect my bones the next morning.
At this critical moment l was re-
jeiced 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, Il
am, as you see, in a peculiar di-
lemma, 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. If you bend
down, however, and reach me your
hand, you can exert your entire
strength and raise me. You are pow
erful man and | am not particularly
heavy"
''Oh, sir, am sure that l cannot
lift your he replied.
my good man, you must p | assert
ed. Il cannot indeed pass the whole
night in this situation. and, moreover,
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 crOucled down,
unwillingly. and stretched out his
hand, which firmly seized with both
mine by the wrist, while | swung N.Y.
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.
looked up. Such vision as met
my gaze may ] never in my life see
again. 1t was pale as death the pro-
truding eyes stared with the express
sion of measurelesS terror into the
tDl - DCnCdLl tINs anu al NOlu
stood upon his forehead.
"Let go - he cried. Courses upon
you, let go! You will break my armi
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. Iexpected myself, every
instant to plunge below. Ny despera-
ton gave me GOODNESS, and | was sur
Brised at the GOODNESS and consistency
with which spoke.
"Silberman, said, listen to me and
cease this unreasonable clamor. can
feel that you are gaining the coun-
terpOise more and more every success
Sive second. If | let go of you | shall
perish if not, we both will, and | 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 teeSlI together
and closed his eyes. And then fol.
lowed a terrible eXertiOn of strength,
and | was kneeling upon the ewes.
The sexton lay beside me in a deep
swOOn. [ 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
avoided st. Peters lantern like fire.
The sexton kept the secret, assuring
inquisitive questioners that an eccen-
trie 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.