The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-07-19

fine sight /; for l never like the ending
of those great chimneys, It's SO risky.
Thy father is to be the last up"
'Eh, then I'll go and see him, and
help 'em to give shout afore he
comes down." said Tom.
"And then." continued his mother,
''if all goes right, we are to have a
frollc tomorrow, and take our dinners
and spend the day amongst the
woods"
"Hurrah p cried Tom, as he ran
off to his place Of work with can of
milk in one hand and some bread
and butter in the other. His mother
stood in the door watching him as he
went whistling down the street; and
then she thought Of the dear father he
was going to,and the dangerous work
he was engaged in, and then her
4 heart found It's sure refuge, and she
Iprayed God to protect and bless her
dear treasures.
Tom with light heart pursued his
way to his father, leaving his break
fast went to his own work, which was
some distance. In the evening, on
his way home, he went around to see
how his father was getting on.
James Howard, the father, and a
number of other workingmen, had
been building one of those great
chimneys which. in manufacturing
towns, almost supply the place of all
other architectural beauty. This
chimney was one of the highest and
most tapering that had ever been
|erected and ON, shading his eyes
from the rays of the slanting sun,
looked up to the top in search of his
fathe-. his heart sank within him at
the appalling height. The scafolding
was almost down. The men at the
bottom were removing the last beams
and poles. Toms father stood alone
on the top. He looked all around to
see that everything was right; and
then, waving his hat in the air, the
men below answered him with long
loud cheer, little Tom shouting as
heartily as any of them. AS their
voices died away, however, they hear6
different sound-a cry of alarm ane
horror from above.
"The rope!"
The men looked around, and coileG
upon the ground lay the rope, which
before the scaffolding was removed
should have been fastened to th'
chimney for Toms father to conn
down by. a
Tne scaffold had been taken dow
without their remembering to TAX
the rope up. There was dead silence
: They all knew it was impossible tt
throw the rope high enough to reacl
the top of the chimney. or if the.
could, it would hardly have been safe
They stood in silence and dismay
unable to give any help or think o
any means of safety.
And Toms father. He walked
around and around the little circle
> the dizzy height seemed every mo
: ment more fearful, and the solid cart
further and further from him. He shu
his eyes, aud felt as if the next mo
j. ment he must be dashed to pieces o
the ground below. The day had pass
a ed industriously and swiftly as usus
II with TOMS mother at home. Sh
g was always busily employed for he
J. husband or children IN some way
l. other; and to-day she had been hare
= er at work than usual, getting read
for the holiday tomorrow.
>" She had just finished her prepara
" tons, and her thoughts were silentl
thanking God for her happy hon
:, and for all the blessings Of life, whe
Tom ran in. His face was white
" ashes, and he could hardly get Il
= words out -
;, Mother! mother! he cannot g
down.
WHO, lad Thy father p askt
his mother.
They've forgotten to leave hi
!, the rope" answered Ton, still scare
:. ly able to speak.
His mother started up h0rror-strut
and stood moment as if paralyze
Then, pressing her hands over b
face, as if to slut ont the horrib
picture, and breathing 9 prayer
God for help. she rushed on: OF t
l.