Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-12-26
A PERILOUS PFRCH.
How Jack Hinton Succeeded in
Oiling the Weathercock.

How Jack Hinton Succeeded in
Oiling the Weathercock.
When I was a boy, good many years
ago, we lived in a small town two hun
dred miles northwest of New York, an
isolated place before the railroad came.
Yet, in spite of the difficulty of commu-
nication with the world, the people of
Talbar Mount were by no means sleepy
set. There was vast amount of public
spirit, and every body seemed to feel that
there was future before them and their
town, and they were prepared to use it
to the best advantage.
Now, If there was one thing Of which
the people were proud it was our church,
and If there was one accomplishment of
which Jack Hinton was conceited it was
his skill in climbing. Perhaps you would
like to know what one had to do with the
other. You shall hear.
The church was really noble build
ing. 1t stood on knoll, little back
from the center street; behind and on
either side the dark, rich verdure of
forest of pines formed a proper back
ground for the graceful pile of white
stone surmounted by it's dark-red tiling.
The spire was the pride of the country
side. and you could see it ten miles off.
But what is the good of spire with
out weathercock? Of course ours had
one-a very fine, large bird, with his
wings spread to catch the faintest breath
of wind, and his whole body aglow with
the rays Of the sun. But it was not all
fair sailing with this magnificent bird.
One winter the ground was covered
for months with snow, which fell heav-
ily and never thawed for six weeks be-
yond its usual time; and there all the
time was that splendid spire, covered
with its beautiful shroud like great
pillar of truth, pure and sparkling.
Meanwhile the weathercock had
pointed steadily to the north, and peo-
pie began to think that spring had
gone elsewhere for that year. But at
length it came; the snow thawed, the
icicles melted, the Easements of the
houses were flooded as usual, and nat
ure completed her spring cleaning.
Yet the weathercock pointed still to
the land of eternal snow. The minister
said it was frozen, and that the first
warm southerly gale would thaw it out,
but he was wrong. That bird held on
to his trying position through several
gales, always gazing to the north, as if
he thought the sun would rise out there,
and he must be careful not to miss the
sight. .
Spring ripened into summer, and at
last the suspicion darkly whispered by
few was confirmed beyond dispute
the weathercock had stuck!
What was to be done?
There was not ladder that would
reach so high, and to build scaffold
would cost seven hundred dollars.
Such sum was out of the question,
and yet the whole town was disgraced
by that obstinate bird. Grave confer
ences were held, a public meeting was
called, presided over by the minister, to
debate the question, but nothing practi-
cable was arrived at.
One day, while matters were at this
desperate stage, 1 was trudging along,
dragging my little sister by the hand,
and thinking chiefly of supper, when
Jack Hinton came by. Somehow Jack
looked more thoughtful than usual, and
walked along without saying word for
nearly five minutes. Then at last he
slapped his leg with considerable vio-
lence and began to chuckle.
sWhat's up with you, Jack?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing; was only thinking of
that weathercock," answered Jack.
'sBut I say, Joe, guess you won't come
and fly that kite of yours with me to-
morrow morning, will you?"
eyes, will, if you like to bring new
ball of string" 1 replied, remem bering
that the next day was holiday, and I
had nothing on hand.
Cali right, then-in the field before
the church, nine o'clock sharp. I'll bring
twine," said Jack, and he turned on his
heel.
had an affection for that kite of
mine, and fiattered myself that could
make it fly better than any other boy in
the village, besides which it was the
biggest kite in the county, and 1 made
it all myself
So was very careful to overhaul it
thoroughly before went to bed, and to
improve the tail to exactly the proper
weight and length.
And yet, when at last laid the big
kite carefully down on the floor of our
best room, I never thought how impor-
tant part that feeble combination of
cane and canvas was to play in the trag-
edy of the morrow.
The fact was that Jack Hinton had
formed scheme of the most daring and
foolhardy character, and when / met
him next morning found that he had
supplied himself, not only with fine
ball of strong twine. but with two or
three other implements, the presence Of
which completely puzzled me.
Whats this for?" asked, picking up
. small oil-can with long nose.
whats that for? Why, to oil the
Westher-cock; it's stuck"