Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1901-08-15
devoid OF nerves and perfectly eos-

stair tower. He was CHASTITY pale.
We could see him trembling as he tot
tered 10 the ladder and laid hands on
rung.
Behind him came Young Georg.
Stacy, looking very serious. and then
frowning fercely up at two or three
who we're grinning at Macklem's plight
and chatting him.
George told me afterward that he
had tried 10 dissuade Mackiem from
coming up out OF the stair tower. for
the higher he mounted the palmer was
his fright. But OF course he was nv
fathers guest George explained.
and I could not stop him BY force.
he would come on-he said he had
promised. and MacDew would laugh
Z he backed out. I was sorry for the
little man. aad when heard those two
ieering a him. I felt Ike going up and
kicking them II the chimney
Macklem's grasp on the rung seemed
70 steady him for a few moments. and
he came slowly MP. hand over hand and
foot past foot. well out over the abyss.
But he was in shocking state os fear.
We gazed at him breathlessiy. realiz-
ing his danger.
HIS face was ciammy with q cold
sweat. he seemed not 10 respire. his
white lips were fixed vide in a death
Ike grin that showed the gold filings
- his teeth. and his eyes were tight
shut and wrinklei. as Il he were striv-
ing 20 close them more completely les:
he should BY chance glance down.
Clearly he might collapse al any mo-
meut. and vet he cane slowly quiver-
ing up The sianting ladder
by the powers. he's a brave mani
whispered old Stacy. sincerely.
Then he called down eucoura rsn Civ:
You're doing fine. Mr. Nacklen.
and there's what'li 90 you good up
here waiting.-
Probably the words and tone helped
he little man. as Stacy intended. BY
slightly distracting n from the hide
Gus fear against which he strove.
George Old stacy called 20 his
son. who had begun 70 ascend. "vou
had better be coming up right clos.
after Mr. Macklem. close. 50 as 20 give
HIN boost a. the top" But the old
mans real purpose was that his strong
son should catch Mackiern instantly {.
The man collapsed II he should fail
backward from The height ~ * feet
above Georges broad shoulders. the
Young man n -hr De hurled down with
his father guest.
As Macklem feIt the ladder tremhI-
under Young Stacy's quickened move
ment he stopped with an inarticuiate
cry. as II believing hat The ladder had
gwen way; but when George called
out; I'm coming up closer after YOU.
Mr. MackIem.~ he seemed 20 under
stand. and clutched for new rung
above him
Old Stacy ard all % rs were "a pale
as Macklem when a. last he put his
hand on the coping IN reaching for one
ruug more.
well done. sor,~ said Old John.
Just put mp both YOUR hanfs and
I'll help vou up by the shoulders
He was afraid 20 take hold % Mack.
lem without such warning. for The
T strained nerves might break down a;
an unexpected touch
But Maeklem kept hfs lower hard N
he rung. and spoke. 4 speaking tia;
could be called which was little norc
+ than 4 motion % ashen lips
Put an oyster in NJ MOUTH u,
lips whispered.
He gulped It down with DILIGENTLY.
Vow I've lunched with you a sait
7 would" and suddenly he put On,
foot down as II TO retreat.
The sole Of his boot came hard or
George Stacy's left hand. Atrhis con
tact with something unexpected
Maeklem's strength gave vay. and b,
fell in a dead faint.
His face fell forward and his leg
sprawled down in George stacy
front; he slipped down over the runr
until the youth ianmed the limp ig
IRE against the ladder by pushing hi
own body forward.
Old Stacy gave loud CRY. fearin:
his son must go down. too. aud h,
made a movement as IL 70 help hE n
getting on the ladder. which r,islt no
have borne the addition II his heav,
frame. But we tsid the contracto
back for ar Instant. and then il wa
all over. George seized Macklen
about the waist with his mighty lef
arm. and easily backed down the Lad
der with him.
He laid Macklem on the roof of tn
stair tower and hurried away for som
stimulaut.
When he returned with the remedy
the party had all descended from ii
ehimney-top.
It was fully Is minutes before III
stimulant and the tanning OF his fac
and chatting of his hands revived n
merchant. Then. like the famou
consular of Rome the first words L
spoke we're Of the fight:
! Didn't l keep my word with you
{ Stacy"
Faith. you did, them" cried oil
John. "ind 4 holder deed I ueve
saw Only It wasn't necessary. Be
dad. I'm ashamed OF me foolish pranl
in tempting you up. Mr.. Macklem. I
il wasn't for my boy being a bette
man than his father. It's a nurdere
I'd feel meself this minute Faith. II
strong sowl we've got in that It'll
wake body, II il wasn't 50 senseles
of We to insist on ascending for III
sake of wan oysther, l dunno but L,
call ye a hero"
Il guess George was the hero on thi
OCCASION" said Mayor MacDew.
Then the contractor had the lunch
con brought down to the ninth floor
where Macklem helped to dispose o
IL with wonderful spirit.
The affair illustrates one thin.
worth remembering in days whel
newspapers make fresh set of heroe
every time armed men do anything in
dicating normal human courage: A
Staey's ehimney-party a nervous. ssd
entary, small man encountered wha
was 10 him an immense danger, ant
fought his own fear till he tainted, al
from a not despicable desire to keel