Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-11-04

FOL OF my friends, eh Well, per.
haps l am /; | sometimes fear an
but the terrible eperience OF my
early manhood has made me 50.
Listen frat . NJ story and stheu
judge me.
! an now fifty years Of aye, and
what am about to relate happen
ed nearly thirty years ago, and Jet
i has left such an impression on
my mind that it seems - it were
but yesterday.
My father was a farmer by the
name of Joseph Brooks, was his
only son, aud named Walter after
a near neighbor and friend of my
father, Walter johnson.
Mr.. johnson had three children
the eldest, William, being about
my own age. We had grown up
together, and we're the warmest
friends. as supposed.
Now, at different periods we had
been vexed and annoyed by the loss
of lambs, pigs and poultry, which
had been carried off by a couple of
large eagles. and both William and
| at last determined to rid oursel-
yes of the cause.
About two miles distant from
our homes there was mountain,
upon one side of which was a preci-
pice several hundred feet high.
Knowing that eagles invariably
select the most inaccessible places
for their eyrie. we started one
morning to find and destroy their
nest, il not the birds themselves.
After an hour or two of laborious
climbing we discovered the nest
about fifty feet below the summit
of the mountain on the side of the
precipice.
As both eagles were away at the
time We determined to destroy their
nest and young.
The only way to- reach the nest
was by being let down from the top
Of the mountain:
We were prepared for that kind
of work, and had brought with us
a long stout rope, and also some
fagots dipped in melted rosin and
birthstone.
As johnson was a large and very
strong man, | had no fear of trust
ing him to lower me over the abyss.
With the rope securely fastened
around my body, gradually de-
scended to within few feet of the
nest, when l found projection,
and running back from it a small
cave about six feet square, where l
affected landing.
III you cannot get close to the
eagles eyrie, one mode of destruct-
ion is to set fire to it by dropping
some inflammable substance into
the nest, and this was the use to be
made of my fagots.
As l was in the act of striking
light ! was nearly jerked from my
position by the sudden fall of the
rope from above.
Great Heaven, William what
have you done?' / exclaimed.
'Oh, my Lord ? heard him call
back /: Il have allowed the rope to
slip from my hands,
'And what will become me now p
| cried. How can | ever get up
from here:'
IF you can possible remain where
You are, | will go for another rope
and help he replied.
$50, then, for Heavens sake and
lose no time =
Keep mp your spirits, my dear
friend. an d all will soon be well p
were the last words i heard him
utter.
l waited in great anxiety until it
began to grow dark, and still no
signs of assistance. What could it
mean? Had my friend met with
an accident ? He could not have
lost his way, for he was too familiar
with the locality. Merciful Heav-
en- could he have purposely let the
rope slip? No. impossible for he
was my friend. had never done
anything to offend him, much less
cause him to murder me.
Ii was growing dark, and here
vas |, imprisoned as it we're be-
tween heaven and earth, with no
means Of escape.
One Of the eagles now returned
and sought its nest, AID | became
alarmed. know not what moment
IL might discover and attack me,
and in my position it might be q
serious matter to defend myself.