The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-08-31

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stand that its continuation supports
the weight you saw below By virtue
of this mechanism once day, for the
space of an hour, the weight is lower
ed to the position at which you saw it.
and at the expiration of that time is
raised out Of sight"
But said Frank after long pause,
i do not perceive the-the-'
The utility of the contrivance? 1t
has none-it is whim. You know l
am whimsical Look! the weight is
coming up See how smoothly it as
cends?'
In fact, Frank could detect only a
slight creaking as the wheels revolyed
and the chain tightened.
Tell me- he said, suddenly grasp
ing his uncle's arm, now long has this
weight been pendent over my headF
Since your first dinner here
A feeling of faintness and nausea
crept over him. and it was with diff
Guilty he found his way to his room,
whence he did not emerge again I'M
til morning.
All that day Frank worked automati
cally, and he was pale, as one without
sleep, when he came in to dinner.
Uncle Jacob was already seated and
greeted his nephew warmly.
i was afraid you had been ILL., he
said. The effect of a fast is first evi-
IN weak nerves; don't you think SOP
Perhaps, assented Frank, with an
upward glance, as he took his seat.
There was nothing there, but as if
the action had been signal, the
weight descended over his head
do not think, he said, rising hasti
ly, that care for dinner. In fact |
cannot eat.
Because Of that2 Uncle Jacob arose
and sat in the chair that his nephew
had just vacated. What singular
, exhibition of baseles5 fear.
Baseless! exclaimed Grosvenor,
How can you say that-unless you
have deceived me and the weight is
but counterfeit.
mo it is genuine; but what of that
have shown you that it is firmly
supported"
Yet it may fall"
Doubtless"
"Noww
| 'Or not for a century. Who can
| tell?'
''But when it does fall?"
You may not be here to receive it.
Look at the probabilities. For one
hour out of twentyfour you are be-
meath it, and in addition, there is not
one chance in 1000 that it will fall in
your life. = Such apprehensions are
childish. For nine months now you
have seated yourself in this chair un-
knowing of the weight above; eating,
drinking, and smoking with health
full appetite for all. Now, by accident,
you perceive what | have looked at
every day, and Immediately your ap-
| petite leaves you. and you become
sick in mind and body. Yet you are
in no greater peril than nine months
ago"
Il admit the soundness of your
reasoning, but it does not allay my
fear" returned Frank ''It may fall
and should | be in the chair when il
crashes downward" He shuddered
in spite of a strong effort to control
his nerves
What then?" demanded Uncle ia
cob. You anticipate something hor-
rible; you are in error. Death would
be instantaneous; you would never
know what had happened. If you
had ever received a heavy blow or
the top of the head you would know
of ELL ,OJ5
ately-lt is only the coming to that
hurts. On two occasions l have felt
the sensation. Once in my younger
days, when a foremast hand on West
Indies trader, block fell upon me
the other time | was bludgeoned il
/ Formosa in brawl. II l had to die
L assure you l would prefer some
method like this'-and he pointed up
ward.
But am not going to die" sale
Frank.
You amaze me-" said the old man
lifting his eyes. Have you the Sc
cret of perpetual life?"
II mean not now," corrected Frank
Are you sure of that2 When mex
you eat, your first inhalation may draw
a piece of meat not bigger than youl
thumb nail into your windpipe, anc
you may expire before | can reach tbt
front door in quest Of doctor.
have known an orange pip to do as
much for perfect giant. Do yor
really fancy that health and youth are
guarantees for long life?"
They are,' asserted Frank, stub
bornly, 'else why the expectancy table.
of life insurance ?"
Tin the aggregate, yes; III the in
divldual-no. l am talking 10 you a:
a unit As an individual you have