The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-09-10

see how much time was left me, an
found that could not see the hands
any longer; the darkness had come on
in the last few minutes. Then 1 gave
up all hope. for knew could never
hold on till morning. tried to think
of death, and to make myself ready for
it, but I couldn't-not q prayer nor q
good word could I call to mino, only
going over an over again in my head
the way 'twould all happen-how the
people would 60 away one by one, how
I'd be left alone in the darkness an the
bowling wind, an how at last I'd not
be able to hold on any longer, an fall.
an be found in the morning all crushed
out of shape. The people below seemed
to have given up all thought Of helping
me now, an were standing quite quiet:
Twas so dark by this time that Icould
not distinguish the faces at all; I could
just make out Master Philip in his
dark suit among the white mill-men,
an poor Katie. She was crouching
down on the ground now, her apron
over her head. All of a sudden, saw
her leap up with q great cry, an clap
her hands, and call out something.
Then there was confused sort of
shout, as if every one in the crowd was
saying the same thing at the same
time, an then Master Philip, making a
sign to silence them, put his two hands
up to his mouth, an sang out in a voice
that came to me above the noise of the
wind:
''Take off your stocking and ravel it;
the thread will reach the ground"
At first didn't understand him, being
dazed like, but then the meaning came
on me like message from Heaven. l
got off one of my socks with some
trouble-nice new ones they were too,
of Katie's own knitting, that she had
given me for . Christmas box-an'
with the help of my teeth / loosened
one end of the thread. 1t gave readily
enough after that, an when 1 had a
good piece of it ripped l tied my knife
to the end of it to make it heavy, an
let it drop, ripping more an more of
the sock as it went down. Then felt
it stop, and presently there came shout
telling me to wind it up again. Very
slowly an carefully did it, fearing the
string would break, and when the last
bit of it came up, there was a piece Of
strong Irvine tied to the end of it. The
Irvine, in its turn, brought the rope
had gone up by, an then felt that l
was safe. I managed somehow to put
it through the pulley, an to haul up
the plank, an as soon as they had
fastened the other end to the windlass
below, they gave me the word to come
down. I was SO numb an stiff that
could not fix myself on the plank, but
managed somehow to cling to the ropes
with my hands. Down, down 1 came,
every turn of the windlass making the
voices below seem nearer an nearer,
an when was within few feet of the
ground there were dozen pairs of arms
ready to catch me, an a score of hands
held out to me. an hundred voices to
welcome me. An there was my father
waiting for me, an Master Philip say
ing, ''But for the girl he'd have been up
there still. Not one of the rest of us
would have thought of the stocking;
twas the brightest idea I've come
across this many day. She has saved
his life, Forde, and you can't refuse
your consent any longer" But when I
looked round for Katie, she was no.
where to be seen. She must have
slipped off as soon as she saw I was safe.
Master Philip hurried my father an
me away. 1 didn't quite know where. I
was so dazed, but in q minute or two I
found myself in a warm, lighted dining
room at the masters house, an Master
Philip pouring out glass OF brandy for
me an shaking hands with my father.
I was glad to get the brandy. for Twas
worn out with fright an cold; but as
soon as could, I made my escape an
went down to Katie cottage. hadn't
been there five minutes when there was
a knock at the door, and in walks my
father. He went straight up to Katie,
holding out his hand.
''Katie, my GIRL" he said, "rve
come to ask your pardon for any thing
I've ever said or done against you; an
if you an Jim are still of the same mind,
I won't hinder you from marrying. IT'S
you have the best right to him, for
you've saved his life"
'And tits proud an glad am that
was able to do the same, Mr.. Forde,"
said Katie.
"And you'll marry him, won't you,
my dear?'
IF you're satisfied, sir.''
81 am, my dear, quite satisfied"
And with that he kissed her; and from
that day to this he and Katie have been
the best of friends. He lives with us
for the last year or so, for he was get
ting a little past his work, an the
master pensioned him of. He is very
happy with us, an he is never tired of |
telling the children the story of the way
that their mothers cleverness saved my
life.
nAuhlA and TviofoA