Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-09-26

/ wanted to see If you wouldn't help
me get OUT
How did you get In there?" asked
the other boy, looking curiously at
Jack.
Once more the sad story was re.
peated.
"You are in pickle" said the sym
pathetic neighbor when the boy told
him about all his troubles. "I'd help
you if could, for pom my word I'm
sorry for you, but wouldn't come into
your building for a hundred dollars
cash."
"Why?" asked Jack.
"Fraid of being killed It's the
toughest place in town."
"Oh," said Jack, "I'm so afraid to
stay here. Can't you think of some
way TO help me?"
The boy opposite tapped his sill in a
thoughtful way as he said: "I'll throw
you rope Fasten it to your waist. I'll
hold the other end. Then let yourself
carefully out into the air, and I'll
either pull you over here or let you
down to the ground.
A happy look came into Jacks eyes
as he replied heartily: "I'll do every
thing just as you say. Only be sure
not to let me co.
The boy gave fearful glance into
the alley below and drew back with
shudder. He realized the risk he was
about to run, but at the same time he
determined not to lose his only chance
of escape.
Just then a heavy coil of rope hit
him squarely in the face. Although he
was stunned for the moment he man
aged to grab it.
Good shot," said his new friend.
Now see if you know how to tie a
good knot Your life depends upon
the kind you tie. So be careful"
And Jack was careful. He drew it
slowly about his waist and tied it into
five big knots.
That's enough" laughed his res
cuer. mo more, for you may never
get it undone. Now grit your teeth
and do the trapeze act
Jack climbed upon the window sill
then he put one of his feet outside and
then the other. He hesitated, turned
pale and looked across at the other.
boy.
Don't be coward" was all the
consolation he received.
And he was surely not a coward, for
he loosened his hold and the next sec
ond swung downward toward the
ground The boy at the other end
held with all his might, but he had mis-
calculated Jacks weight and at once
saw that he could not pull him up
again. So he let it slip, slip, slip,
through his hands very slowly. He had
ho foc CT Oft hn ~
end, so that the precious burden could
not possibly fall to the ground unless
the rope broke. and it did. When
Jack was about thirty feet from the
ground, 1t snapped and down in a
little heap on top of a pile of ashes
the poor boy fell.
With horror the boy in the window
above looked down at the motionless
figure. He had meant to do well, but
had failed. His first impulse was to
hurry down and ascertain the results
of the accident and call help at once.
But what if he had killed his mysteri-
Gus neighbor? How could he convince
anyone that he had meant to be kind?
He could not. He would be arrested
at once and perhaps be hung for his
deed. The only thing for him to do
was to get away, for if Jack regained
consciousness who could tell what
story he would tell.
But help from another source was
not long In coming. A milk wagon
came hurrying along, making a hid
eous noise as it scraped over the cans
and broken glass. The driver stopped
his horse and ran to Jack at once. He
was looking with suspicion at the rope,
when the boy opened his eyes.
The man cut the rope and raised the
boy as gently as possible, and put him
into the wagon.
There, don't cry, sonny" he said,
"Ill take you to the hospital and you'll
be all right. You are just cut and
scratched trifle. 1t doesn't amount
to much"
But though he spoke comforting
words, he saw that Jack was hurt ser.
iously. He drove as quickly as he
could without Earring his passenger
too much. He soon reached the hos
pital and rang the bell.
II found him in the alley" he ex-
planned to the nurse who came out.
There was a rope tied around his
waist. Some bad work. guess. Poor
fellow, do what you can for him. He
may not live. Perhaps it would be just
as well if he didn't, but you must save
him if you can"
Eyes, yes,' said the nurse.
They carried him to the childrens