The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-25

whose ice-clad buttress arose abruptly
from the rivers edge To height of a hum
dred feet or more. The other passengers
stopped right there and sought shelter in
neighhoring hotel. | wanted to follow
their good example, but Appleton wouldn't
let me. He said We had gone too far to
turn back then, and besides q sturdy small
boy at the hotel had offered to show us
how TO climb to the bridge. He
was rewarded in advance, and then
we set out to battle with fate.
The small bow took the lead, Appleton
followed MIN, | made a close third, and
my valet, Jack, formed kind of rear
guard to look after my remains in case OF
accident. Our small guide led US straight
to the huge buttress of the bridge, which
was built of massive blocks of stone ar
ranged in terrace form, from its broad
base 10 its narrow apex. These terraces
were about fifteen feet high and covered
with ice ard snow. 1t was impossible for
a man to climb them unaided, but the boy
was equal to the emergency. After prowl.
ing about for a few minutes he found q
ladder which had been used by the work.
men. | can't begin to describe the diff
cuties and dangers of that climb. But
at last we~scrambled TO the top.
with clothes torn and hands bruised
and bleeding. Fortunately. the watch
man was walking toward the middle OF
the bridge and We had chance for q
good start before he could stop us. After
a short breathing spell Appleton. Jack and
| began our perilous journey along the
narrow footpath that stretched across the
ghastiy-looking iron work. But before we
had reached the middle of the bridge the
Waterman stopped us and ordered us TO
go back. We pleaded and protested and
argued but il was OF no use. He wouldn't
even take bride. Hereupon the boy
Jack loudly called my attention TO the
fact that the water looked awfnlly cold
down below. Appleton quickly added
added that under certain circumstances it
would make an excellent plunge bath. and
| Clipped in with ilippant remark about
it being three-to-one shot.
The Waterman evidently thought We
meditated murder or some equally des-
perate crime, for his eyes fairly bulged
from their sockets az he backed away from
us as far as the narrow footpath would
permit We brushed by him instantly
and continued on our way without any
further interference from HIM. The
Waterman at the other end of the bridge.
however. proved of different metal. lie
was As big as two of US and we didn't dare
TO attempt any bluff with him. lie was
even more obdurate than the other fellow.
Ii began To- look as though all our labor
was 20 he III vain, when Appleton whis-
pcred to me to run while he engaged the
Waterman in conversation. Well, [
scooted and 80 did Jack, but we didn't
II.
standstill by tine abrupt termination of the
bridge at the buttress. 1t was sheer
hundred feet to the ground and there was
no ladder. I gave it up again and could
have Nept scaldlng tears II 1t hadn't been
so cold. Appleton, however, succeeded in
pacIfying the Waterman and came to our
rescue with grim determination IN his
stride lie boldly jumped down the hrss
terrace and called upon Jack aud me 20
follow Jack did so, but | hesitated.
Those fifteen feet seemed like preeiplce
and the landing on the next terrace looked
awfuily hard and insecure. | didn't care
TO lump. So | compromised by taking
kind OF a toboggan side on my coat tail.
Il wasn't as exhiiaratine or as fascinating
as many other slides l'ge had, but II was
quite as exciting. III this way / reached
terra frna in somewhat dismantled con-
dition. incidentally l bade teariui
goodbye 70 my trousers next day.
ft was about two mules from the bridge
To the opera house and We had TO foot 10,
because there wasn't 2 vehicle abroad mat
night We ran most Of tue way TO keep
from freezing. and after frightening a
courie of women into Mysteries. because
they misunderstood our hurried request
for Information, We arrived az the tfieater
alta quarter past and proceeded with
the performance As there was no Tine
To change / went Oh Just - vas. looking
like 4 searecrow on q MASSACHUSETTS, farm.
The audience was good-uatured, though,
and readily forgave me when they learned
what had HAPPENED. ] shall never fss gee
that trip and | wouldn't 90 through il
again. even To elect Harrison
Nat G. GoopwIs
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