The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-09-02
PA. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2. 1896
but he regained his balance only to slip

Ut tie next sep
AS he fell he caught at the beam
with both hands and neld on, but it was
evident that he had but little strength.
"Pull yourself up, Arthur, and get
a-straddle of the beam until 1 get the
LADDER
~ can't, Rufe; it'sall 1 can do to
hold on"
"Well, hold on, Arthur; I'll help
you," and in an instant Rufe was
walking out on the beam.
He walked with less ease than when
he had crossed few moments before.
For Arthur to fall would mean severe
injuries, perhaps death, and he, Rufus,
would be to blame. The boy trembled
at the thought. He had come within a
foot Of where Arthur hung, and could
see that his Cousins face was white and
drawn.
Rufus sat down astride the beam and
twisted his legs securely about it.
al am going to take hold of your
arms now, Arthur, and then you'll
have strength enough TO pull yourself
up, won't you?"
"I'll try" responded Arthur.
Rufe leaned over, and taking firm
grip on Arthur's arms just above his
wrists said: "Now p
The boy made slight effort, but was
evidently almost overcome with fear
and weakness.
"Don't let go, Rufe, or shall fall"
he said with an imploring look towards
his cousin.
Rufe's heart almost failed him. He
was strong. but his position was both
unsafe and uncomfortable. Arthur's
weight was already pulling heavily up
on his arms, and if his cousin should
lose consciousness, or his own strength
give out, there was nothing TO save
them from a dangerous if not fatal
| fall.
If some one would only come But
his father and the farm hands were in
the field at work, and his mother and
the maid We're occupied with their
household duties. 1t was not likely
that any one would come near the
barn before noon, and it was now early
in the morning.
81 don't see that anyone could help
us much," thought Rufe, "but I'll call,
anyway" and his Help! Help"'
rung out clearly enough.
Both his mother and the maid heard
his cry, but they did not understand
him.
"Do you hear those boys, Betsey,"
said Mrs. Ferris; "what can they be
doing?"
"There's no telling, ma'am," said
Betsey. "Boys never does enjoy them.
selves unless they're hollerin'."
Arthur's grasp had weakened, and
Rufe's arms were aching terribly. Then
he called again, louder than before
and at that moment his father came
into the barn. The farmer took in the
situation at glance, and in an instant
had put the ladder against the beam
and was going to the rescue.
|
al am afraid it was the fault of IN,
boots, Arthur, that you didn't ge
across that beam any better" said Mr.
Ferris that night. "How did you hap
pen to have them on ?'
Rufe buried his head in his book, a
Arthur answered.:
'I couldn't find my tennis shoes whel
was dressing. But l guess / shan't
try that beam again."
When the boys went upstairs tina
night Arthur put his hand on RUFF
arm and said:
"You're a brick, Rufe. If you hadn'
held on to me L should have beel
killed"
''Say, Arthur, your boots are al
right. They're right there in tn
closet" was Rufe's rejoinder, in some
what husky voice, as he pulled off hi
|, own heavy shoes
For the remainder of his cousin
visit Rufe seemed to feel that he wa
responsible for Arthur's well-beinl
and he began to initiate him in man
ways, even to the extent of blackin
his boots until their lustre outshon
those that had awakened his contemp