Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-04-23

below-where, for convenience, the
ironwork had been transported from
the town above over a makeshift rail-
road.
The plan of the kid was to walk the
girder to the ropes, and descend thence
by the standing falr' to the bottom
of the ravine.
| The night had cleared. Low in the
sky to the west the moon was break
ing through the thin clouds. 1t would
be broad light soon. The boy picked
his way over the encumbered abut-
ment platform. He had come to the
naked girder, which protruded into the
air, when his pursuers found him out.
You're all safe, kid" Big Red
shouted. You're as good there as
anywhere!'
The men sat down, painting and
laughing, for they were tired with
the run and amused by the issue.
The kid made his way cautiously.
balancing himself with his arms. The
light was barely sufficient. The path
he must tread lay darkly before him;
but the girder was solidly fixed in its
place 1t did not sway under his
weight. Thus far, the way had not
been difficult to his experienced feet
and trained nerves. He saw the ropes
| hanging just beyond the end of the
path.
Ear below-two hundred and fifty
feet below-and far beyond, the lights
| n hn nj in,
| the group of executive Offices shone
cheerfully. 1t was for those lights
| he was bound. When he came to the
end of the girder, he paused, for a
moment, to breathe. His feet rested
on an iron plank, sixteen inches wide.
There was nothing above--nothing on
either side; all about was misty space,
| all that was solid was underfoot.
Hip Big Red roared, of n sudden.
The kid had reached for the tackle.
1t was now plain to the men on the
| bluff that he meant to descend by it.
| They came after him, threatening him
| with violence if he should persevere.
Come back or I'll throw you Off"
| Big Red shouted, hoarsely.
Unhappily for the kid, he could not
catch the ropes. Three times he tried
vainly to grasp them; each time, so
desperate was the effort, he placed his
| balance in fearful jeopardy. At last
| his finger brushed the nearest strand.
| This gave him an idea. He brought
his feet together, and advanced them
until the tips Of his toes were flush
with the end Of the girder. He reached
again, and failed again. He allowed
| himself half an inch more. Then, by
| leaning out so far that breath Of air
might have toppled him over, he was
able to touch the rope again, and 10
push it. This nearly cost him his
balance. He tottered for the space of
a breath; but recovered, cleverly, and
leaned forward again, nothing daunted.
Meanwhile, Big Red was tiptoeing
after him. The kid felt the girder
vibrate. He turned his head, but kept
| his feet in their place
"Get out Of there" he said grimly.
Let me alone, you! Don't you come
here! Get backv''
Come back, kid!' he whined "It'n
be all right If you come back. We
won't hurt you."
For an answer the kid reached again
for the rope, bearing himself as il
Big Red Smith were nowhere about.
He was teetering on his toes, and had
as much Of his body thrust forward
as his balance could sustain. Another
| push on the rope set the block below
swinging like q pendulum. He pushed
it again-and again-and again. With
each touch its swing was greater. At
last one rope came within reach. He
| crooked his foretinger about it, and
| held it.
The weight of the block, on its re-
turn swing, was a heavy strain to
put upon his delicate poise. For an
instant he was on the point Of leaping
for the rope before he should be
wrenched from his place. He met the
strain, however; fixed his grip, pulled
| the arm of the derrick in, and selected
the standing fall-the only stationary
| rope Of all the tackle. 1t was but the
work Of moment to wind this about
his leg, swing far out, and slide
swiftly toward the ground, leaving
Big Red to vent his rage as best he
might.
johnson was bidding the superin-
tendent good night when the kid, out
of breath, brought his warning to the
office door. Johnson was saved, and
you may be sure his friendship for
the Kid was not diminished by this
latest exploit.-Youth's Companion.
| Paderewski Outwitted Him.