The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-05-04
Lessons From a Rope Mandatory.

Some years ago the writer visited a rope
mandatory, and was amazed to discover
the wonderful machinery by which mate
rial could be twisted SO sohdly and the
finished product wound upon a large reel.
There were different sizes of ropes; some
to make ladders, up which on tallest masts
nimble sailors could climb; some for huge
anchors, and others for towing heavily
laden barges.
In that shop l was confronted with an
eloquent sermon. The task of the opera
tor, while twisting both small and heavy
ropes, seemed to a superficial mind dull
and monotonous, but when the service rem
dered to commerce and humanity was con-
sidered his occupation increased in impor-
tance. Supplied with ropes he made was
the vessel tossed up and down upon the
billowy deep, with her captain standing
near upon the storm-swept bridge giving
orders to cast out the anchors. How anx-
ious that crew lest the boiling surf and the
tremendous. strain should break the cables:
What if the ropes should part? What If
a, single strand should yield! What II
there should be some defect in the hemp
grown on the farmers land? What If in
the intricate processes the sharp knives OF
the machinery had cut the raw product:
How glad when the hawser proved its
power to resist the rough elements, and
eXtolled the virtues of the operator 5000
miles distant still twisting his ropes:
Here is a rope which is probably des-
tined to 20 to the life-saving station to be-
come attached to the bomb, shot from
pneumatic gun and carry its lifeline TO
the hand of some shipwrecked sailor: That
line is fastened to a strong oaken TIMBER
and the mariners eagerly haul through the
yeasty waters a surf boat or breeches buoy,
h. thayys ashore.
The ropemaker went home from the shop
with aching back and weary frame, but IN
the morning, when he read that the
lifeline he had twisted had rescued l00
noble souls from terrible fate, he forgot
his cramped sphere and humble employ
ment and was amply repaid. -,
The ropes spoke to me not only or the
rescue of imperilled seamen as they coasted
along the 10000 miles of shores and lnden-
tations, but they showed that there were
ropes of prevention to keep the vessel IN
port safely anchored, while the storm
roared outside the bar. How sad to con-
template that the cemeteries have prema-
ture burials and chiseled monuments,
which ought never to have been dug by
spade or smoothed by chisel. If a rope OF
moral prevention had been invited, 60,OoO
inebriates would have been spared from
tumbling with swift and awful descent into
Dante's inferno, and instead might have
been educating their children. providing
for their families and cheering their wives,
whom they vowed to protect and inspire
A line Of prevention is worth more than
a hawser Of rescue. Transform the char
acter of the saloons expected crop Of boys
by helping them acquire an appetite for
such kinds of food and drink as made Dan
iel immortal, and the signs over the
"houses of death" will be supplanted tor
signs Of grocer, baker, butcher, merchant
and other honorable callings.
As of the saloon so of other gigantic
iniouities. Prevention will kill them last
and sure. The best rope factory, ls the
home, where family altars rise and CHRIS
tian devotion is sustained.-Rams horn. !