Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-07-24
An Exciting Adventure.

| OIL his COuLIdClo, duu NhiiO "iSASj AN
| in love with the pretties girl l had
ever seen. She seemed so flattered
with my attentions that 1 was full OF
hope, until an old lover joined our
force.
Then found out my mistake, as
Mary at once gave me the cold shoulder.
Ny successful rival, Ben Lloyd, and l
were not, of course, the best of friends;
still bore him no lll-will, and being Of
CHEEKY temper, soon got the best oft,
and in time we became great cronies.
1 went to his wedding, and after that
often dropped into their neat little co.,
tage to see them, and got to look upon
Mary as a sort of sister. Ben had no
grounds for jealousy, though evil
tongues, found, were busy.
The contract was nearly up, when
lightning conductor upon one OF the
highest chimneys over at Lianelly
sprang, and the owner Of the works
offered our master the job.
It's just the sort of thing for you,
Harry said Mr. - when he told US
oft.
touched my cap and accepted 1t off,
hand, and then Ben stepped up and
said he'd volunteer to be the second
man, two being required,
All right said the master, you are
the steadiest headed fellows L have.
The price is a good one, and every
penny Of it shall be divided between
you. Well not fix day for the wo.k,
but take the first calm morning.
So 1t was, that, some four or five
mornings after, we found ourselves at
the factory, all ready.
The kite by which the line attached
to the block was to be sent over the
chimney, was flown, and did Its work
well; the rope which was to haul up
the cradle was ready, and stepping in
Ben and l began the ascent.
Aswe went up l saw crowds gather
to watch us.
There are plenty ofstar-gazers, Ben,'
SAID 1, waving my cap to them. 4
dare say they'd like to see us come
down with run
Cont you keep quiet? said Ben, in
so strange a voice that turned 10
look at him.
There he lay in a heap at the bottom,
O., the cradle, his eyes closed.
You're not afraid said 1.
What's that to you:
Nothing but if you don't get used
to the height you may get dizzy
Then 1 saw we were going up too
fast.
They had not calculated right. and as
sue as death the cradle would strike
the coping, and if II did, death it would
be, for the ropes would part.
There was no chance Of signaling. l
told Ben our only hope. We must
swarm up the rope to the chimney top
and let the cradle go its course.
We did so, and were scarcely landed
when the cradle struck.
The rope gave shrAl, piercing sound
like a rifle ball passing through the air
and snapped.
Down went the cradle, and we were
lett nearly 300 feet in the air. with
nothing to rest upon but a coping
eighteen inches wide.
Ben shrieked out that he was a dead
man.
Hush, ladv l said, don't lose
heart. Think Of Mary, man, and keep
up
But he only shook and swayed moret
and more, groaning and crying out tina
he was lost; and could see that if he
did not mind he would oyerbalance.
Get hold OF the rod,' | said, thinking
that, even. sprung as it was, the touch
of it would give him courage.
where is it, boy?' he said hearsely,
and then looking into his face, which
was turned together, squirting and
bio odshot aud l knew that the:tright
had driven him blind.
So pushing myself to him, placed
my arm around his waist and wolked
around 10 the rcd, which L put in his
hand and then l looked below, to see
whether they were trying to help us,
but there was no sign. The yard was
full of people, all running hither aud
thither, and, as l alterward knew, all in
the greatest CONSERVATION, the cradle
having fallen on one of the overseers oil
works, killing him on the spot, and so
occupying the attention of those near,
that we were for tie time forgotten.
Twas straining my eyes in hopes OF
seeing some effort made to help us,
when was startled by horrible yell
and brought to sense Of new danger
for looking round, saw Ben champ
Ing with his teeth, and foaming at the
mouth, gesticulating in an unearthly
way. Fear had not only blinded him,
but crazed his brain.
Scarce had l time to compre hend this,
when he began edgiing his way toward
me, and every hair on my head seemed
to stand on end, as l moved away
keeping as far off as l could, and
scarcely daring to breathe, lest he
should hear me, for see me he could moi
that was my only consolation.
Once-twice-t thrice-he followed me
round the mouth Of that horrible
, oh;,,nov. then. no doubt thinking had