The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-27
LOCKED IN TOWER
Visitors From the Country Have an
Exciting Experience at the
Courthouse. Il
Imprisoned in Belfry for Hours,
While Youth Shouted and
Maid Wept.
They stood by the hagstaf at midday,
s AS the chimes were tolling the hour.
And the sun shone over the city
While they were locked In the tower.

The above burst of parody has been
transcribed by one Of the elevator movers
in the Fourth street side Of the county
court house. The inspiration THEREFOR IS
an incident of tragic possibilities but a lor-
tunate ending which transpfred yesterday
afternoon, The author mentions nothing
about apologies to Mr.. LongfelloW's mem
DRY but justifies himself by relating a
story essentially as follows: ss,sssss
Early yesterday afternoon az young man
and maid, names unknown but 5supposed
to be visitors from a'srurai district, MADE
application for apass to- the court house
tower. Their desires we're gratifed and
they were hauled to the fifth floor and
safely launched on their long climb.
The first stage brought them to the bell
tower landing, and here they fingered for
some little time. Being of an exploring
turn Of mind the young man discovered
the door leading up into the still higher
flag staff tower. This was meat for the
seeker after novelties, and he proceeded to
usher his fair charge up into the higher
realms from which, together but still
alone, they enjoyed each other and the
panorama Of city life spread out be-
meath them.
One Of the janitors Of the building had
absent mindedly left the door Of this tower
unlocked. Later he came to, and imne-
diately repaired to the belfry and carefully
locked up, all unconscious OF the two Wis
itors above him.
At length, satiated with their birds eye
experience, the young people began their
downward Journey. They had not pro-
ceeded far however before, much to their
surprise, they found themselves UP against
a bolted door. In vain they tried the
fastenings, in vain looked about for some
means Of escape. There was none. The
two were locked in the tower.
Their place Of incarceration was above
the heads of the common throng, and their
cries for help availed them not. The
youth proceeded to test his lung capacity,
while the maiden, terror stricken by the
fate which confronted her, gave way to
| touching tears. The calls Of the man and
| the weeping of the woman, however, but
echoed from the unhearing masses OF
granite, and no human being heard or an
| swered.
Two hundred and fifty feet above the
"maddning crowd the two lovers looked
and longed and called and cried, but 70,
| nought. There seemed to be absolutely
nothing to do but to wait for some rescuer
| The afternoon was waning and night
seemed sure to overtake the prisoners ii
| their lone "retreat. 80
| Several hours had passed when thei,
lucky star assumed its ascendancy. Othel
sight seers climbed the steps to the pris
on doors. Hearing them the incarceratet
ones frantically called for help an,
were heard. A conversation was carried
on thru the iron door and the elevate
man was soon notified Of the couples pre
dicament. A key was secured and for
warded to thestower and at last the pris
oners were freed.
i Coming down In the elevator the you'll
neryously told the details Of his excitin
experience, while the fair member Of tn
tower party, softly sobbfng with JOY
sought the darkest corner Of the elevate
and tried to keep her Redeemed eyes fror
the scrutiny of the interested, onlookers
Both stated that they thought one trip t
the tower was sufficient for them