The National tribune., 1902-02-13

The ascent to the top of the tower is
made by a series OF 295 stone steps, built
between the inner wall and an outer gal
lery. Walking up is like climbing an
easy hill; coming down you simply let
yourself drop lightly from step to step.
On the way up Bob whispered TO his
| friends what he had done.
On reaching the roof they all stood
with barred heads and enjoyed the glor-
ious prospect. They also tested the
strength Of their nerves by standing by
the railing and looking over that part
of the roof that ovcrhangs.
"BeSorra" exclaimed Mickey, "surc de
dirthy place is 4 fallin'." This remark
was brought out from the queer feeling
you have as you look down the over
hang. You cannot easily convince your
self that the building is not falling over.
1t Is very uncanny, creepy, neryc-test-
| ing sensation.
While they were thus engaged Bob,
who had stole away to the belfry below,
now came up winking and blinking mys-
tericusly.
u have it, boys; have it good" he
said in a hOarsc whisper.
What is it, Bob?" asked Mike.
Il have been poking about and ! have
lighted on stone that will just drop into
your hand"
'Houly Moses." cried Mickey. excit-
edly; come wild US and let US get our
hippeds on it."
mo. no; you would spoil ALL" put in
Bob. Now | propose that | go ahead
and drag the stone out. | will knot il
up in n red bandana. Mike follows me
and takes it out of my hands and car
ries it TO the staircase; and you come
along and catch it up and 20 off down
the steps with it on the run. Joe will
| bring up the rear and keep the pcelcr
back as long as he can. We will all 20
stringing along in this way so that the
bobby viii not notice your absence
This plan was carried ont. The block
was passed from one to the other, until
it came to Mickey. He caught hold of If
and started on the run down the steps,
making q very bunglins attempt to hide
the unsishtly thing from view by slowing
it inside of his capaci9uS shirt.
As soon as he IcaC,. Il terra firma, with
out waiting for the others, he set off on q
rapid stride toward the railroad station,
about half mile away. 1t was now high
noon, and the sun shOne down pitilcSsly
hot. The road was dusty and passing
cattle and teams threw up the dust in
great clouds.
Our three ioliers walked lcisurely down
the Tower steps and along the road to the
station Iaughngly discussing the success
of their plan. Ahead they saw Mickey,
staggering along with his burden, every
now and then stopping to wipe the per-
spiration from his face and neck.
Mickey reached the station a few min
utes before the train left for Leghorn.
Possessed with the idea OF reaping the
full glory of his daring achievement, he
determined to start ut once. Fortunately,
one of his comrades of the forecastle had
tired Of Pisa and was also on the way
back to the snip. The fare was 30 CEN
times This Mickcys comrade advanced,
for OUR herO's condition was nigh onto col
lapse.
His face was as red as boiled lobster.
His trousers showed symptoms of going
by the board in consequence OF the strain
that had been put upon them. His shirt
hung in n great bag down his right side.
Ia addition to this Generalization streams
of persDiratiOn were pouring out of every
pore so that he looked as if he had been
out in q cyclone, with n rainstOrm thrown
in.
What in time have you been doing?
What the mischief have you got thereF
asked his companion as Mickey staggered
Never We moind Get de pasteboords
for dc keers, Patsy" said Mickey, tum-
bling into the carriage with his myster-
iUus burden.
Tell ne: what have yOu been up to?
Patsy, as he came III with the paste
boards"
olive de Tower of Pasa, in me shurrit,
rest yer sowl,n said Mickey in a hoarse
"Gfeat snakes! you'll be transported!
Let me see,n returned Patsy excitedly.
------.------------