The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-05-10

upon Vuo SIOuuui lay GuS IOpe, WulCu
before the scafolding was removed,
should have been passed over the top of
the chimney for Toms father to come
down by The scaffolding had been
taken down without their remembering
to take the rope up. There was dead
silence. They all knew it was impossi-
BILE to throw the rope up high enough or
skilfully enough to reach the top of the
chimney or, if it could, it would hardly
have been safe. They stood in silent
dismay, unable to give any help, or think
of any means of safety.
And Toms father He walked round
and round the little circle on the dizzy
height, seeming every moment to grow
more fearful, and the solid earth farther
and farther from him. In the sudden
panic he lost his presence of mind, and
his senses almost failed him. He shut
his eyes he felt as if, the next moment,
he must be dashed to pieces on the ground
below.
The day had passed as industriously
and swiftly as usual with Toms mother
at home. She was always busily en-
ployed for her husband and children in
some way or other; and to-day she had
been harder at work than usual, getting
ready for the holiday tomorrow. She
had just finished all her preparations,
and her thoughts were silently thanking
God for her happy home, and for all the
blessings of life, when Tom ran in; his
face was as white as ashes, and he could
hardly get his words out.
Mother, mother, he Gamma get down."
said Tom.
Who, lad?-thy father ?" asked his
mother.
"They we forgotten to leave him the
rope" answered Tom, still scarcely able
to speak.
His mother started up horror-struck,
and stood for moment as if paralyzed !;
then, pressing her hands over her face as
ii to shut out the terrible picture, and
breathing prayer to God for help, she
rushed out of the house.
When she reached the place where her
husband was at work, crowd had col
lected round the foot of the chimney, and
stood there quite helpless, gazing up with
faces full of horror.
He says he'll throw himself down !"
exclaimed they as Mrs Howard came
up. He's going to throw himself
down y
Thee munna do that, lad - cried the
wife, with clear hopeful voice " thee
munna do that. Wait a bit. TAX of
thy stocking, lad, and unruvel it, and let
down the thread with bit of mortar
Dost hear me, Jem?"
The man made a sign of assent, for it'll
seemed as if he could not speak; and,
taking off his stocking, unraveled the
worsted thread, row after row. The
people stood round in breathless silence
and suspense, wondering what Tom s
mother coutd be thinking of, and why
she sent in such haste for the carpenters
ball of Irvine
Let down one end of the thread
with bit of stone, and keep fast hold
of the other u cried she to her husband
The little thread came waving down
the tall chimney, blown hither and thith-
er by the wind but at last it reached the
outstretched hands that were waiting for
it. Tom held the ball Of string, while his
mother tied one end of it to the worsted
thread
Now, pull it up, slowly !" cried she
to her husband and she gradually I'M
wound the string as the worsted drew it
gently up. 1t stopped the string had
reached her husband.
Now, hold the string fast, and pull it
up ! cried she and the string grew heavy,
and hard to pull for Tom and his moth
er had fastened the thick rope to it. They
watched it gradually and slowly uncoii-
ing from the ground as the string was
drawn higher. There was but one coil
left 1t had reached the top.
Thank God Thand God - exclaimed
the wife.
She had her face in her hands in silent
and, trembling, rejoiced. The
iron to which it should be fastened was
there all right. But would her husband
be able to make use of them? Would
not the terror of the past hour have so
unnerved him as to prevent him from
taking the necessary measures for his
safety? She did not know the magic
influence which her few words had exer-
cised over him. She did not know the
strength that the sound of her voice, so
calm and steadfast, had filled him with
as if the little thread that carried him
the hope of life once more, had conveyed
to him some portion Of that faith in God
which nothing ever destroyed or shook
in her true heart. She did not know
that, as he waited there, the words came
over him Why art thou cast down. O