Milford chronicle., 1885-05-08

haps half minute in reality. Then all
the chances still TO be run crowded upon
me. To turn around had been an at
tempt almost desperate before, and GER
tainly, most certainly, the ledge was no
wider where 1 now stood. Was the
rope within reach I feared not
Would it sway toward me? I could
hope for that.
"But could I grasp It should be
saved Would it not yield to my hand
coming slowly down as 1 pulled, un-
rolling from a coil above, trailing over
the ground at the top, running fast as
its end approached the edge, falling
suddenly at last? Or was it fastened to
tke accustomed stake Was any COM
rade near who would summon aid at
my signal2 If not, and if grasped it,
and il it held, how long should l swing
in the wind that now boro the freshness
and tremors of an imminent galef
''Now again fear took hold on me, and
as a desperate man l prepared to turn
my face once more to the vast expanse
of water and nothing beyond that awful
cliff. Closing my eyes, I writhed, with
know not what motions, easily around
till again my back pressed against the
precipice. That was a restful sensation.
And now for the decision of my fate
1 looked at the rope. Not for a moment
eould l fancy it within my reach Its
swayings were not, as had expected,
even slightly inward, but when falling
back against the wind, it swung out
ward as though the air were eddying
from the wall.
"Now I gazed down steadily. Would
a leap be certain death ? The water
was Of immense depth below. But
what chance of striking it feet or head
first ? What chance Of preserving con-
sciousness in the descent? No, the
leap would be death; that at least was
clear.
Again turned to the rope. wa
now perfectly desperate, but steady,
nerved beyond the best moments Of nv
life, good for an effort surprising the
human. Still the rope swayed as before,
and its motion was very regular. saw
that 1 could touch it at any point Of its
gyration by a strong leap.
"But could grasp itP What use if
it were not firmly secured above But
all time for hesitation had gone by. l
knew too well that strength was mine
but for a moment, aud that in the next |
reaction of weakness I should drop |
from the wall like dead fly. Bracing |
myself, watched the rope steadily for |
one round, and as it returned against |
the wind, jumped straight out over the
heaving Atlantic.
"By Gods aid I reached, touched, |
clutched, held the strong line. And it
held Not absolutely. Once, twice j
and again it gave, gave with jerks that
tried my arms. knew these indicated
but tightening. Then it held firm and
swung turning in the air, secure above
the waves that beat below.
''To slide down and place my feet in
the loop was tho instructive work of
Fortunately it was of dimen-
lions to admit my body barely. 1
slipped it over my thighs up to my arm
pits Just as the dreaded reaction of weak
ness came. Then 1 lost consciousness.
"When I awakened my dear mothers
ace was beside my pillow, and she told
ne that had been tossing for fort
hight in brain fever. Many weeks / lay
here, and when got strong found that
had left my nerve on that awful cliff
ide. Never since have been able to
ook from a height or see any other
human being on one without shudder-
ng.
80 now you know the story, Mr..
frazer, and have had your last walk on
he factory wall.
He spoke truer than he knew. Hiss
tory has given me such horrible nigh
nares ever since that could no n2S
7alk on the high brickwork than -
hat narrow ledge in distant OornE
2 W. Tb0B1sOn'S Prize Story ss..5-s.ssss.3ls (
Youths Companion. W;