Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-08

st makes strong man feel bit queer to go
up inside as far as the great bell and look up at
the network of crossing ladders; but to stand
outside and wave flagl-why, the mere thought
of 1t is enough to make ones head swim, - said
the first speaker. Jacob Wirtig is the only
man in all Vienna who has the nerve for such
part.
But he served a GOOD apprenticeship. He
learned the knack of keeping a steady head dur
ing his early days of chamois hunting in the
Cyrol. But why does he seek to draw others
would risk his life.''
II can understand it, Caspar. Twice before,
on some grand occasion. has old Jacob stood on
the splre and waved flag as the emperor passed
in the streets below. And now, after all the
fighting and the victory, when there is to be a
triumphal entry into the city and grand review
and such rejoicing as was never known before,
he feels in honor bound to supply the customary
salute from the cathedral. And since this mis-
cradle fever, which has stricken down so many
in the city, has left him too weak to attempt it,
he is trying, as you see by this notice, to get
some one to take his place. He offers
all the money which the emperor never
fails to send as a reward, to say
nothing of the gloryl IN wager form that
he'll offer in vain! But come! let US DE going.
There's too much work to be done to be loitteT-
ing here. Twice before on that day, once in
the early morning, and again at noon, had the
boy stood as if spell-bound with his eyes
riveted on the beautiful spire. And now the
setting of the sun had found him third time at
his post. The PlatZ was deserted, but the
streets beyond were thronged with people hur-
rying to their homes. Was it fear, or the chill
of the night air that sent shiver over the
slender figure of the boy as he stood. letting his
eyes slowly wander from the top OF the spire to
the base Of the tower beneath, as if measuring
the frightful distance! But as he turned away
with little gesture of despair, there rose be-
fore him the vision of a wan and weary
face as white as the pillow against
which it rested and he heard the physician's
voice as he gently replaced the wasted hand ON
the coverlet. 1.-The fever has gone, my boy.
and all that your mother needs row to make her
well and strong is good care and plenty Of nour
ishing food.' The money offered by old Jacob
would do all that, and much more. 1t would
mean comfort for two three years for both
mother and son with their simple way of living.
When the lad again faced the cathedral it
was with an involuntary Strengthening of the
shrinking figure. with GODS help will try -
he said aloud, with determined ring to his
Wirtig know. Now that 1 have finally de-
cded, it is strange how the fear has flown. 1t is
the hesitating that takes the courage out Of
one! After ALL he paced back back back
until he was far enough from the cathedral to
get good view OF the noble structure. WHO
knowsf 1t may look more difficult than itr eally
enough. II 1t were near the ground 1 should
feel safe as il were on the floor of the great
hall in the Stadt Hsus Why, then, should I
The flush in the western sky suddenly deepened
to vivid crimson. The clouds above the horizon
which a moment before had shone like waves of
gold, became a sea of flame. The rudy glow
illumined the old cathedral, touching rich cary
ing and lace-like tracery with new splendor. |
Wnue lar over ScuipLureQ dome and stately |
tower rose the lofty spire, bathed from final to
base in the radiant light.
The boy made step forward. and slipping !
back the little cap from his locks stretched out
his clasped hands toward the sky. 80, Mary,
tender mother, he cried; plead thou for me in
my time Of need tomorrow. o, Jesu! be near |
to help and savei''
He replaced the cap and hurried across the |
Platz to the crowded thoroughfare beyond. At |
the end OF three blocks he turned into a narrow |
lane and stopped in front of high house with |
steep, tiled roof. The lamp in the swinging /
iron bracket above the door gave such feeble |
light that he was obliged to grope his way !
through the hail to the stairs.
At the second landing he paused for moment, |
fancying that he heard g light football behind |
him, but all was sim, and he FASTENED on 20 the
next floor. Again he stopped, thinking that he |
caught the sound OF q stealthy, cat like tread |
on the steps below. who's there?'' he called |
out boldly, but the lingering echo of his own |
voice was the only answer.
How foolish ami he exclaimed. est is |
but the CHATTER OF my shoes on the stone stairs
entry he went, and still he could not shake off |
the feeling that he was being followed.
AT that moment q door opened and woman
peered out, holding candle high above her |
head. is that you, Franz?'' she said. my /
brother has been expecting you this half hour
By the hickering light OF the candle Franz could
see that there no one in the entry. He \
turned. impelled by strong desire to search
the tall cupboard near the stairs and see if any
0ne had concealed himself within, but the
dread OF being laughed at kept him back, snd
ne followed the woman into room where
gray haired man sat. leaning YEARLY against
he back of his chair.
lyon may go now Katrina said the man,
notioning to an adjoining room, and when the |
ioor closed he turned to Franz trembling with
.agerness. s'WeI. have you decided?''
81 will try. Master Wirtig-"
The old sexton wrung his thin hands nerv- |
,usly. but if you should failI''
''In God is my trust answered the boy
calmly. But one IF is as good as ano therI |
Why not say If yon sueeeedT 1t sounds more
,heery.
''God grant il, - answered the man. sinking
back in his chair. % had thought that It would
'e some hardy young spEg who should accept
ny offer-some sailor or stone mason. whose
alling had taught him to carry = steady head
never dreamed it would be mere lad like
Myself, and worn out tco, with the care Of thy
'ick motherI Even now feel do thee gre
nous wrong to listen to thy entre1ties.'
Think not OF me, Master Wirtig; think
ather of my mother. Shall we let her die,
shen few moments on yonder spire would /