Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-08-01

NdHdulHIl size. Inefe was no means
of getting across except by taking
rowboats several miles below the
falls.
The chief engineer, under General
Roebling, took up his residence very
near to the homes of these two boys,
and they were so constantly on hand
whenever he went to the river that
he could not escape an acquaintance
with them.
He was rather silent man, and
they were both surprised, therefore,
when he turned one day and said to
them: Here, boys! Can you fly
klte?"
eyes, sir" they promptly re-
sponded.
"Can you fly one well?" he con-
tinued, looking at them keenly.
pretty we'll, sir" replied Alex
modestly.
''If you can fly one WE'LL" replied
the engineer, you will help me to
build the at.suspension bridge"
Alexis eyes grew big and so did
Georges. Help build the suspension
bridge.
The engineer saw the effect of his
words and added: Come down this
afternoon with the best kite you have
and we shall see II You con send it to
the Canadian shore If you can, you
VIII be the lads to carry across the
first cable for one of the most re-
markable bridges in the world"
Then for the first time the boys
saw what he meant. They looked at
each other a moment and then set
OF for home as fast as their bare feet
would carry them.
They said nothing to the family,
but betook themselves to the wood
shed, where they set to work with
will. Kite-fying had always been
one OF their greatest sports, and they
had made dozens of kites as season
followed season. The frame of one
that had been a favorite still hung
in the shed. They got it down and
covered 1t with the strongest but
lightest paper they could secure. It
was nothing but an ordinary home
made kite, but they felt sure of it's
flying qualities when 1t was ready to
be taken down to the river.
Upon their arrival the engineer
examined the kite, while they looked
on with mingled hope and fear. At
length he said, taking up a ball of
Irvine: "Put this on in place of the
string you have. 1t is light, but very
strong. The wind is in the right d.
rection and blowing well. You ought
to succeed"
They quickly tied on the new cord,
and then Alex took the ball, while
George went to short distance with
the kite, ready to give it push. 1t
started we'll. Then there came a
sudden puff of wind, followed by a
lull; the kite veered, staggered and
came to the ground with flop.
George picked it up quickly. Some
small boys standing about shouted
derisively, but the engineer said:
Never mind, boys, you are not the
only people who have failed the first
time. Try again."
Once more George held the kite as
high as he could. Alex got good
start, and in moment more the kite
was sailing away in a steady course
toward the river. Alex ran to the
bank, then began to play out his line
as evenly as his excitement would
permit. 1t was glorious sight, and
all watched with keen interest as the
kite grew smaller and scared stead
lily.
At last shout went up from the
opposite bank, and everyone knew
the kite was over the Canadian shore.
Unrolling the remainder of the cord
npon the ground, Alex suddenly let
tho line slack. The kite wavered.
made a wild dive and dropped.
We'll done, boys" exclaimed Cen
eral Roebling, as a great cheer arose
from both sides of the river. Two
prouder boys than George and Alex
you can scarcely imagine. ut is
clear sailing now" added the engi-
neer, as he fastened heavier cord
to the kite string, and then signaled
the men on the opposite shore to
draw 1t oyer. Each successive line
was heavier and stronger than the
last, and finally one-inch cable was
pulleds beneath WHICH roared the
mighty river
The cable was made secure by
drawing it over wooden tower on
each bank, embedding the ends in the
solid rock and fastening them with a
key or melted lead. After the cable
was laid the men were instructed to
build an immense iron basket which
could be drawn from shore to shore
over the cable, by means of ropes and
windlass on each bank. This was
Intended to carry the toolsy and even
the men themselves, to and fro.
The boys hardly found time to eat
their meals during these days. The
afternoon the basket was being fin
ished George was obliged to pile a
cord of wood, and Alex volunteered
to help him. 1t was late when they
finished, but the next morning found
them again at the bridge.
|. Now. boys" said the engineer, as
he showed the completed basket,
since you helped us so well with our
cable. l think you should be allowed
to make the first trip across the
river. Would you like TOT"
Without stopping to consider, they
AAN 1T.
ing only OF the glory of the feat.
IAN right. Jump In" was the re-
Spouse, and the workmen drew the
basket close to the shore.
II their hearts misgave them moth
Ing could have induced them to show
It now.
They settled themselves in the bas-
ket, which was deep and large