The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-11-12

III is more unan roiiy TO auuempr to
make myself heard from this HEIGHT r
might as we'll save my strength All
that remains for me to do is 10 welt
patiently. Some one will be sure to
miss me and come 10 my relief. In Cod:
is my trustr' And his courage rose w;th
the words.
The troops disbanded, and the neo.
ple hurried off to the brilliantly Iiehtes
cafes and theaters, all unconscious of
the pale, silent boy ciinging with des-
perate grip to the spire, with but mar
row shelf of stone between him and a
horrible death.
The sunset faded into the twilight.
and with sudden wave darkness drift
ed over the earth. The noise in the
streets grew fainter. The minutes
heightened into hours, and still the bow
stood there, as Q night wore on, oc-
casionally shifting his position to ease
his cramped and aching limbs. The
plight wind pierced his thin clothing,
and his hands were benumbed with the
cold. One by one the bright constella-
tions rose and glittered and dipped in
the sky, and the boy still managed to
keep his foothold, as rigid as the stone
statues on the dome below.
"Two, three, four" pealed the bells
in their hoarse, deep tones, and when
the first ghmmer Of dawn tinged the
eastern horizon with pale yellow the
haggard face lighted with expectancy,
and from the ashen lips, which had been
moving all night in prayer, came the
words. 'In God is my trust. 4"
N X u
"What is the meaning of yonderi
crowd?" asked one of two 'tisans who
had met while hurrying IS the platz
to their work.
"What! Have you not heard? All
Vienna is ringing with tho news! Tt
was young Franz, the goldsmith's ap-i
prentice, who climbed out on the spire
yesterday and waved the flag In some
way the little window near the top was
fastened on the inside, and the poor
boy was forced to stay out all night
clinging to the spire. 1t was only short
time ago that he was discovered and
brought fainting down the ladders. Aft
er working over him little while he
seemed all right and was carried to his
home. And there's another strange
thing. Nicholas, old Jacob Wirtig's
nephew, was picked up, mangled and
bleeding, at the foot of the tower stairs
this morning. He has just been taken
to the hospital"
The next day Franz received sum-
mons from the emperor. AS he followed
the officer who had been sent to conduct
him to the palace to his surprise the
marble steps and the corridor beyond
were lined on either side with the SOL
diers of the Imperial guard and as the
slender, boyish figure, with its crown
of golden hair, passed betwee the files,
each mailed and bearded war; or rever-
emily saluted.
On he went. through another cham
Der and into spacious hall with marble
floors and hangings Of rich tapestry. On
both sides were rows of courtiers and
officers, the rich costumes and nodding
plumes and splendid uniforms with
their jeweled orders, contrasting
strangely with the lads plain, home
spun garments. sit is the emperor, y.
whispered the guide as they drew near
canopied throne, and Franz dropped
on one knee.
He felt the hand that was placed on
his bowed head tremble, and a kind
voice said: Rise, my boy. Kneel not
to me. 1t is /, thy emperor, who should
rather kneel to do thee homage for thy
filial piety. My brave lad, / know thy
story well. Ask of me place near my
person, aid for thy sick mother, what
thou wilt, and it is granted thee And
remember that as long as the emperor
of Austria shall live he will feel him
self honored in being known as thy
friend"
In short time another summons
came, this time from the hospital. At