The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-01-18
On THE VERGE OF DEATH.
A GYMNAsT'S ADVENTURE.


A GYMNAST'S ADVENTURE.
l had among my fellow students Q
OF gymnastics. Athlete exercise, in the
widest sense of the term, was to me u
pleasure to which had surrendered my
self body and soul, and in consequence
of which l possessed, although not tall
and strong, some muscle and high de-
gree of confidence, while had acquired.
in perilous situations, presence Of MIND.
all of which qualities form even now q
considerable portion of my character.
When at last my studies were ended and
Ihad obtained situation as pastor in West
crn Germany, did not give up my old in
clination for gymnastics, and there was con-
siderable talk one fine day that the young
clergyman of the Church Of st. Blasius
had been seen hanging in his garden by
his legs, and in this headlong position ca
ressiny his little son, who was crawling
under him on the ground. possessed
such an article of human ity since, on my
accession to the passionate, l had entered
into matriEony.
But my favorite diversion, when had
few leisure hours, and the sun was not
too searching, consisted in climbing to a
narrow projection on the lofty church
roof, and walking about there while
smoked my cigar.
What magnificent place this old
church roof was! Quite another world
than that which lay far below me-a re-
gion of rock and stone, without vegeta-
ton or water, except when it rained. and
the cutters were filled, in which case this
special realm presented little attraction. 1t
was "A world where l had often INDUCED
in star gazing.
| regarded this airy region as my
special province, where l rcigned in sOli-
tarv majesty over my subjects, consisting
and intolerabie ones. 1t excited in me q
merry, perhaps somewhat bOyish feeling,
as | thought what look my superin.
tendent would put on when he heard of
my excursions in the narrow gloomy tow
erS, and the great grinning stone heads,
fat cherubs, scaly dragons and cutters of
zinc. or on the pinnacles of the towers,
from which was presented a wild prospect
over Il picturesque landscape.
Sometimes l climbed down in the broad
gutter in the middle of the roof, from
which nothing was to be seen above but
the blue heavens and the swarming swal-
lows and below the broad paved church
square, on which, 100 feet beneath, the.
people crept about like ants.
1t was during one of these excursions
that the event occurred which l will re-
late, and which thoroughly cured ME for
several months of my desire for roof
climbing.
must first inform you that around the
outside of the cathedral, just where the
roof terminated, ran smooth projecting
edge about foot wide. Under this, con-
siderably lower, just above the great en-
trance, was huge stone projection, which
formerly supported a colossal figure of
St. Peter, holding great iron lantern.
The statue had long ago disappeared and
half the lantern was broken off, so that
what was left had the appearance of an
Armchair without legs.
Standing on the stone caves one day,
above this relic of past centuries, the
thought suddenly seized me that it would
be an amusement of new and original
kind to swing myself down and enjoy my
cigar in this fantastic arm chair.
Without hesitating moment turned
around, kneeled down, seized the caves
with convulsive grasp, and the next in
slant was dangling in mid air over the
abyss, more than 100 feet from the earth.
As looked, in this situation, under me
at the defective lantern. l found thatI
w
two feet further from the wall than had
thought.
This circumstance, however, caused me
little anxiety. Giving myself swing, by
which l easily pressed one foot against
the building, l sprung safely into my
resting place in the broken lantern.
Here / sat long time smoking my
cigar, drumming with my heels on
the wall. and complacently enjoying the
cool of the evening and the magnificent
prospect.
The sun was setting before / thought of
undertaking my return, which l was es-
pecially induced to do by the sight of one
or two persons who were standing below
and gazing up at me.
1t was not three minutes before quite q
crowd of people had gathered about them
to enjoy the spectacle of man sitting in
st. Peters lantern.
Hallo!' thought /, sit is now time
to return! Some one will find out who
am, and then there will be pretty gossip
in the place." But suddenly became
aware that return was not SO easy.
NV seat was SO constructed that could
not rise in my usual way. The sides Of
the lantern were of smooth iron, and so
high that could get no hold. There was
nothing left me but to press my hands
upon the seat behind me, raise myself 50
and draw my legs after me until they
could rest between my hands upon the
lantern. Then l could rise to my full
height and turn around on my own axis.
THIS way of raising yourself every
gymnast knows and practices, butsevery
one knows, too, what an exertiOn ct mus
cular strength in hands and arms il nec-
essary in this procedure, and that any
mistake would occasion failure-per-
haps, too, > fall below.
Now, there is vast difference between
bar erected on level ground and an iron
high, from which fall upon the rough
nayement must have IN absolutely fatal
effect. 's~A- t-s..< - -
The more l considered my situation
the less it pleased me. and there + SIT,
smiled feebly at the multitude below,
which increased every moment, ashamed
to cry for help ot make khoE1 ny fear.
"Well," said I 10 myself, 81 IL. ed
here any longer shall lose every favOra.
bic chance to escape. 1t is ludicrOus to
become bewildercd like q child that has
gone astray in climbing. quite aside from
the establishment that the story must cause,
if it comes to the ears of my parishioners
and supporters. Up, then! will close
my eyes ana act as II were performing
on the soft turf Of my garden a
In the spacsbfys nioute lstoM on NY
legs in the lantern and wondered at nv
foolish weakness, when observed to my
terror that sti1ls Mad aheg moss diHlcuii
part of my undeftaldng toperfOrm. Rails
ing my hands above my head to seize thu
smooth stone caves / became aware tina
they were ct least foot and half ue
yOnd my reach. In vain did rise ON my
tiptocs and stretch out my arms eonyui
sively; it seemed highly probable that
should have to spend the night in thi
situation.
This was truly no agreeable considers
t a"S,;d TOR ~ tse ssst Xss 9n]y w. k5g
fell asleep whloA atas Psssihae, fshoul'
he precipitated headlong upon the pave
the next morning. TX :. z
At this critical moment was reioice