The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
A TERRIBLE FALL.

Ned Wilson, fellow workman, oonceia
ed great dislike for me. We parted an
years after I set up for myself Bein
called upon to paint church tower be
thought myself of an assistant.
had forgotten Wilson-in fact, sine
my establishments on my own account
had never seen him, and as time eflaee
very many of the animosities which un
der the influence of an hour possess US
so, with me, had the recollection of the il
feeling evinced toward me by him giveI
place to a feeling of commiseration fO
and, lastly, to forgetfulness of him.
One day, when almost in despair OF
completing the work in the required time
for want of workmen, was startled By
the appearance of a man whose face wors
q familiar expression and which I soon re.
called to be no other than Wilson A
long, persistent course of dissipation had
told sadly on him and want spoke through
the tattered garments of its continuous
presence. He soon made known the object
of his visit by applying for work. Under
any other circumstances an indignant re-
fusal would have met this proposal, but ]
saw in his presence means to assist me to
the completion of the church. and forget
full of his old malice and deaf to the in
ward monitor that babe me hesitate, Len.
Re2eu MIN TO commence WOEk 1OE me on N
the next day, taking occasion, however, to
require strict abstinence from intOxicat-
ing liquors as a precedent to continuation
at work
At the usual hour on the morrow vii.
son was at the church with brushes ano
kettles, prepared to commence work. My
hands had given the first outside coat to
the tower, and on that morning were &c
begin the application of the second. High
up in the clouds raised the spire and from
its top humanity below had assumed Lii
putian proportions. The scaffolding had
been placed in position the evening before,
and nothing prevented my worklnen from
pursuing their labOrs
This trestle was so framed that by turn
ing screw it would widen or close at VIII
by means of a groove, so as to apply it to
any window, and by entirely moving the
screw it could be taken apart. had fitted
it to a window, and securing Il short lad
der to it, was at the top of the ladder busily
engaged in my labors, my mind, however,
creating disturbed fancies, the result OF
my encounter with Wilson.
How long a time had elapsed do not
know, but suddenly a feeling of insecurity
possessed me. 1 essayed in vain to dispel
it as illusion produced by the excited
state of my nerves, but the more tried to
believe it a whimsical fancy the stronger
became impressed of impending danger
No longer able to resist the warning of
that inevitable monitor which at times at
tends every one and forewarning of com
ing evil yet failing to indicate a means OF
escape, descended the ladder, intending
to abandon my work until felt sufficient
ly calm to resume it when-Oh, horrors
upon the inside of the tower before me,
with the malignity of satan depicted upon
his face stood Wilson. The screw lad
been removed from the trestlc, and with
one hand he held it over his head while
Ha, ha, har' he screamed. Two got
you. Now's the time to square old scores
By the gods you've but minute more &c
live. So if you've any prayers to say you'd
better be quick"
Rooted to the spot and with hair stand.
ing on end 1 essayed to beg him for my
life, but the words chOked in my throat
and refused utterance. In vain 1 attempt
ed to call to the workmen on the opposite
side of the tower for help. My lips refused
their duty. With the desperation of de-
spair sprang forward, hoping to reach
the window, when the upIifted screw fell
with crushing force upon my right shout
der, missing my head, at which it was
leveled. At the same instant the trestle
slipped, and with my footing gone wild
ly flung my arms about.
Oh, the agony of that momentl soon
began to realize that 1 hung suspended in
midair and discovered that in my fall
to a spike which had been left by my
workmen. Still my lips refused to utter
a sound of alarm. Above me but a few
feet stood Wilson. No relenting look, but
the same fendish hatred beamed down on
me-
Too far below the easement to reach it, ]
hung suspended by the brittle thread.
Presently the blood commenced rushing
to my head, and then slowly the band be
gan to rip, stitch at first, then, as il
gathering strength, two or three at
time. A few more breakings of the thread
and I knew that 1 would be dashed to the
hard pavement 100 feet below.
All this time, which occupied but few
seconds, yet which appeared of endless
duration, 1 had been offering to God my
prayers for the reception of my soul. An
other break, and my life hung upon one
more thread. Casting one more look above,
my eyes, burning with pain and almost
blinded by the rushing Of blood, rested
upon that same dreadful face. I once
more prayed to God and closed my eyes.
The last thread parted, and downtown
-dOwn-untn my brain whirled and it
seemed as if the rcvorberations of 10, OOo
belching eannons were rolling through
my head and my eyes were starting from
their sockets. Then Il stillness-the seraph
ic music from heavenly choristers-struck
upon my ears, and then 1 was-awakened5
to find that had been dreaming and had
fallen from my chair. But the evidence
of my internal agony that night remained
with me- for my hair, which before was a
beautiful black, had in that short hour
changed to white, and for long time
there remained with me the impress Of
that face as I saw it looking down on
me.-New York News.
Emerson and LonRfeIIOW.