Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-08-23
ATcrrihIc Eyncricncc.

Holy Innocents is in Thiriy-seventh
street, Just west of Broadway, New
York. 1t is on the south side Of the
street and is separated by q narrow al
ley from the rear of the Hotel Marlbo
rough. The roof slants from the cen
tral nave at a sharp angle to the alley,
which is below the street level and at
least so feet beneath the roofs gutter
4 wing of the hotel shoots back at right
angles 10 the church in the rear, and,
fortunately, as 1t turned out. hotel
window opens directly upon the ROOF.
Repairs are required upon this slate
covered roof, and Michael Fitzoimmons
the contractor, sent Charles Kline to dc
the work. John Page, who has been
l6 years in Fitzsimmons' employ, was
assigned TO help him.
The men ran ladder from the alley
up to the roof Tuesday morning, and
ascended it, Kline went up first, and
was soon busily engaged i'll mendiDg
the roof Page went up later, taking
materials with him. The two worked
steadily for while without speaking.
Then Page began to act peculiarly as
though he were i'll, but as he disclaimed
any ailment Kline paid him no atten-
ton.
1t was about the middle of The morn
ing when Kline, hearing peculiar
sliding noise, turned and saw his fellow
workman lying fiat on the slanting
roof slowly slipping toward the edge.
He was working bis whole body con-
vulsively, and clUtching at the states,
but, of course, unable to grasp them.
Kline shouted to him, but he did not
answer. He only slipped further to-
ward the edge. 1t took only a moment
for Kline to realize that his assistant
was in a fit and would plunge over the
roofs edge to certain death in few
seconds unless rescued.
Kline did not pause TO consider the
risk, but clambered over the sianling
root with that surety of hold which
ouly loug praciised roofer can com
mand. lie threw his left arm around
his comrade, clutching the states with
his right hand and both feet.
He might have held him there, but
Page, who was clearly in fit, strug-
gled violently. Despite Kline's every
effort the two began to slip downward.
Kline shouted with all the strength OF
his lungs, but there was no one TO hear.
He yelled to Page to keep quiet, but
The stricken man only struggled the
harder
Down the slope the pair moved to-
ward that edge. Kline spat upon his
hand and pressed the states, but he
could not stay that leisurely but steady
descent. He moved his feet about
frantically for some eXcrescence iii the
smoothuess of the states, but he found
none. If Page would only stop strug-
Cling he might hold still, but the mad
man, gurgling and splitting, was in con-
stant motion.
Oh, for some help But what help
could there be in that place? SulI
Kline did not cease to cry out. He
knew that ii he let go bis comrade he
might save himself, but he would not
let him 90.
And 50 they slipped down, slowly
but surely, unti the states ceased and
one Of Kline's feet oyerhung the sixty
foot abyss.
1t was his last chance. He thrust his
left toe sharply downward, and it
caught the gutter With an effort he
increased his foothold'upon this slender
support His right leg was bent UP un-
der him. his right arm sprawling up
ward graspiug the states; his left arm
clasped his struggling comrade
There the pair halted. The single
foothold in the gutter sufliced to hold
them steady. For more than half an
hour, according to Kline's reckoning,
they remained there, Kline shouting
for help, Page struggling like mad
man. Kline began to grow faint with
the struggle, when help came.
The roof window in the Marlborough
Hotel was scarcely six feet away from
the two men all this time In it sud
denly appeared chambermaid, who,
in seeing them, screamed, and ran
away. This gave Kline renewed heart.
The maids screams attracted the house
keeper who called Theodore Lcnercaux COL
orcd hall boy, who happened to he ON the
| floor. LenereauX ran u the window. climbed
! partly out on the church root. and held by
those within, succeeded in gEasping Pages
hand. He pulled him gently toward HIM
| Kline pushing from the other side In this
way the two roofers were brought close under
the hotel window.
Right here Page redoublei his struggles.
Kline got both feet on the narrow tin gutter
aud gave all his strength to holding the man
in check and LenereauX meantime held him
nrmly by the collar. But more help was
needed before rescue could be made, for
the window was three feet above the roof.
AT this junction George Covell, another coll
oreJi hell boy appeared, and he and Leuereaux
succeeded in hauling Page in at the window.
Kline relieved of his charge, quickly climbed
in after and nearly tainted when he realized
that the awful strain was over.
Page rapidly recovered when he was once
in the room and was soon able TO 20 down
stars. He then went to his employers Office
accompanied by Kline. He had never had a
iit before in all his sixteen years experience
AS roofer
lie did not 90 back TO work again but
Nine did. notwithstanding his awful expert
ence OF the morning.