The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-03-06

are constantly shortening their lives,
for the fine particles OF brass enter
their lungs, poisoning the blood
Many of the men have a constantly
metallic tastein their mouths, and the
teeth OF some OF them are loosened.
The men employed in the white lead
works are in constant danger, as they
get the poison in their blood by hand
ling the lead and inhaling the fumes
that arise from it in process of manu-
faCture. In the course OF a very few
years the men begin to feel the gripping
pains of painters collie, which often
ends, after weeks of torture, in death
Tobogganing ia Midair.
From the New York TribuneI
1t is the duty Of the workmen onthe
bridge, to examine every part of that
structure at least once q month, and
where signs OF fracture or dislocation
OF the irOn-wOrk are discovered to- re-
pair the damaged place at once. To
ascend the large towers by the frail-
looking ladders that run up their sides
for this purpose is feat requiring
nerve, but to descend from the top OF
the stone structure to the bridge itself
on one OF the heavy cables is a per
iOrmanCe that few people can even wit
ness without feelings of fear and
trepidation. The dizzy height and
dimnutive appearance Of the man on
the cable are sufficient TO make the
strongest entertain doubts as to
whether he can reach the bridge IN
safety.
Many a fearful heart was made al
most to stand still a day or two ago
in the streets along the river where a
fair view OF the bridge can be obtained
A workman left the top Of the tower
on the New York side, and slowly be-
four large cables. The footing on one
OF these supporters is precarious, and
slight mlsstep or slip would land the
workman into the river, more than
hundred feet below. But to assist the
laborers in their work of inspection
and repairing, two small hand cables
run along each side of the large cable
at distance OF about two feet. The
men grasp these with both hands, and
find little difficulty in working their
way along. But in this case the in
spectOr had not proceeded far from
the top OF the tower on his perilous
journey when an unlooked-for obstacle
presented Itself. Owing to the snow
and rain last week nearly twenty feet
of clear ice had coated over the top OF
the cable. To retain a footingo on such
a slippery surface would be next TO i'm
possible, and when the workman
reached the edge of the ice he hest
tated
The spectators seemed to realize the
cause Of his uncertainty and their
anxiety became still more intense.
The man glanced over his shoulder at
the tower nearly fifty feet behind him,
but, either gaining Lew courage or
fearing that it would be a more peril
Gus task to return than to proceed, he
once more faced the narrowicy surface
before him and began making prepara-
tions to pass it. His heavy hammer
which he carried in his hand was Sc
Curely fastened to the belt around his
waist, and then grasping the small
cables firmly he straddled the cable
and prepared for his midair slide The
start was made with more swiftness
than was agreeable to the spectators,
but with wonderful presence OF mind
the workman managed to control his
speed. 1t was all over in a minute;
and as the daring fellow regained his feet
and looked behind him a shout of ap-
proval went up from the spectators
below. Mingled in the shouts were
such expressions as "New York. to-
boggan slide," and "tobogganing on
cable" But the successful fellow
hurried down to the bridge unmindfuI
of the cheers OF the crowd.