River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-05-19

as dangerous, LOT the last TWO years.
John proposed that they should go up
to the top and see the view. Emily was
but he laughed her out of
her fears, or out of the expression OF
them. So they went up, and John, who
was in teasing mood. insisted on their
getting out on the roof, which was done
by means of short ladder, lead
ing through trap door.
Though the day was warm for the
time of the year, Emily soon felt bit
ttrly cold. and she said she must 90
down. John led the way, but hardly
had he got his foot off the last rung
CT the ladder when be felt the tower
begin to rock.
With the impulse of coward, scarce
" staying to give a hasty shout to EN-
lily TO follow, he rushed down the stone
stairs and out of the place. A mo-
ment later there was series of creak-
ing reports, and three sides of the
building fell with a crash to the ground,
leaving Emily crouching down in a cor
ner OF the roof, which still hung to the
remaining side.
for a ladder Soon a crowd was collect
cd and the ladder was fetched. Too
short! Another was found, and while
willing hands were lashing the ladder
together Reuben drove up in his cart.
When he heard what had happened he
took Johns place in binding the lad
Gers together, saying:
You go and tell her what we're do
ing. III see TO this
Reuben had the habit of authority,
so John went.
When the ladders were firmly bound
Reuben and two others carried them
through the iron gates into the little
park where the tower stood. \ mixed
crowd of men, women and children
stood breathlessly gazing up at the cor
ner where Emily crouched, her face COW
cred, not seeming to hear the encourag-
ing words her lover was shouting up
TO her.
Reuben looked at the wall. 1--WE must
be quick" said he to the man next to
him. "or it'll be down before we can get
her off" Then after a moment he
l
the ladder Run and fetch the one off
my cart"
This was done, and in n few minutes
the third ladder was pushed through
the rung of the first about four feet
from the top, making an isosceles tri-
angle. Two men were placed at the foot
cf each ladder to steady it, and the
whole reared sideways against the wall,
the apex almost touching Emily and
the upright reaching up above her
head. John hadn't been of much help
he was like one distraught, but when
all was ready Reuben turned to him and
said:
Now tell her to get on the ladder.
Tell her to look up and catch hold of
the frame above her head. Tell her she
is quite safe"
John shouted up these instructions.
but without more result than making
Emily half stretch out her hand and
shudderingly cover up her face again,
The demon Funk possessed the girl.
Then Reuben:
ITS all right, Miss Bolton. You Just
get on the ladder-quick. and you'n be
safe enough There's half dozen of
us holding it at the bottom" he shout
ed, encouragingly.
No answer. No movement.
Reuben turned to John once more.
"Look here, man." he said, you must
go up and fetch her"
go up that ladder? It wouldn't bear
the weight of both of us"
"Some one must fetch her down. II
YOU won't, must"
IN hold the ladder"
"Pshaw." And Reuben turned away
Then suddenly turning back: "Mind
YOU, if get her down safe try my luck
again" And, shouting to the men to
hold the ladder firm, he cautiously went
up.
emily" said he, as he touched her,
1--WE must change places, my girl" She
looked at him, her eyes wild with
fright. That's right! You keep look
ing at me and doing as 1 tell you, and
you'll be as safe as a trivet," said he,
cheerfully, though his heart was work
ing like a steam engine. How he man.
aged to change places with Emily he
never knew. He always said it was her
trust in him that did it. When she was
safe on the ladder and he clinging to the
fragment of the wall he said, impress
sively:
"Go down the ladder as quickly as
Won can and I'll follow. In two minutes
the whole place'll be down"
Emily gave him one swift look that
sent the blood tingling through his
veins, and in less than a minute she was
en- the ground. John, who had been al
lowed to hold the ladders, tried to put
his arm round her, but she pushed him
from her as she breathlessly watched
Reuben's descent. Then, turning on
him:
"Gou" she cried. go! When I mar
ry, I'll marry-Tll marry a mani"
After that she tainted.
She did marry a man. His name was
Reuben Saunders. John Adams got the
foreman's place in the shires.-Brook-
H., Ct,r,JorJ ri