Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-02-03
CRATIC NORTHWEST, THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8. 1881


that | could not see the hands any
longer. the darkness had come on in
the last few minutes. Then gave up
all hope, for knew could never hold
on till morning. ] tried to think Of.
death, and TO make myself ready for il.
but couldn't-not prayer. or good
word could | call to mind, only going
over and over and over again in my
head, the way 'twonld all happen, how
the people would 20 away. one by one:
how I'd be left all alone in the dark
ness and howling wind. and how at
last I'd not he able to hold on any
longer, and fall, and be found in the
morning, all crushed out Of shape
The people below SEEMED to have
given up all thought of helping me
now, and were standing quite quiet.
Twas so dark by this time that ! could
not distinguish the faces at al! | could
just make out master Philip in his dark
suit among the white mill men, and
poor Kate. She was crouching Gown
on the ground now, her apron over her
head. All of sudden | saw her leap
up with great cry, and 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, and
then master Philip making a sign to
silence them, put his two hands up TO
his mouth, and sang out in voice that
came up to Inc 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 mean
ing came to me like message from
heaven got off one of my socks with
some trouble. nice new ones they WERE
too, of Hates own knitting, that she
had given me for Christmas box, and
with the help Of my teeth loosened one
end of the thread. 1t gave readily
enough after that, and when had a
good piece of it ripped, tied my knife
to the end of it to make it heavy. and
let it drop, ripping more and more of
the sock as it went down. Theu felt
it stop, and presently there came a
shout telling me to wind it up again.
Very slowly and carefully did it, fear
ing the string would break, and when
the last bit of it came up, there was a
piece of strong twine tied to the end of
it. The twine in Its turn brought the
rope | had gone up by and then | felt
that | was safe
| managed somehow to put it through
the pulley, and to haul up the plank,
and as soon as they had fastened the
other end to the wlndlass below they
gave me the word to come down. |
was SO numb and stiff that | could not
fix myself on the plank, but managed
somehow to cling to the ropes with my
hands Down, down came, every
turn of the windlass making the voices
below seem nearer and nearer, and
when | was within a few feet of the
ground there was dozen pairs of arms
ready to catch me, and score of hands
held out TO me, and hundred voices
to welcome me. And there was my
father waiting for me, and master Phil
ip saying:
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 | looked round for Katie
she was nowhere to be seen. She must
have slipped off as soon as she saw !
was safe
Master Philip hurried my father and
me away, | didn't quite know where, |
was so dazed. but in minute or two ]
found myself in warm lighted din
ing room at the masters house, and
master Philip pouring out glass OF
brandy for me, and shaking hands
with my father was glad to get the
brandy, for was worn out with fright
and cold; but as soon as | could,
made my escape, and went down tc
Kate's cottage. ] hadn't been there
five minutes when there was knock
at the door, and in walks my father
He went straight up to Kate, holding
4 out his hand.
Kate, my girl, he said. I've come
to ask voar pardon for anything I've
ever said or done against you; and il
you and Jim are still of the same mind
| won't hinder you from marrying
Tis you that nave the best right tc
him; for you've saved his life.
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