The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-08-22
A SLIDE ON A ROOF
Terrifying Experience on an Ice
Coated Mansard.
FIGHTING DEATH IN MIDAIR
Perllous Plight Of Two Workers, and
an Exhibition Of coolnsss, Presence
Of Mind and Heroic Patienee--How
the Difficult Rescue Was Effected.

an Exhibition Of coolness, Presence
Of Mind and Heroic Patienee--how
the Difficult Rescue Was Effected.
During the fall and winter OF 1870
A. T. Stewart, who had bought the
Grand Union hotel at Saratoga, largely
rebuilt that great hostelry OF 1900
rooms The building has a mansard
roof. and at the peak II is ninety eight
feet from the sidewalk.
One cold winter morning, when the
work was virtually completed, two
men, Harvey, tho head roofer. and
helper named Dennlson went up ON
the roof to finish the flashing round
the base OF the tower. There had been
a slight mist that morning. and II had
frozen upAn the roof. but the two
men had on india rubber overshoes to
prevent them from slipping on the
states.
Suddenly. however, Haryey's feet be-
gan to slip. He went very slowly at
first. for the upper roof OF a mansard
Is not steep. He tried to stop himself.
but there was nothing TO which he
could cling. He turned his head In
Dennison's direction TO see II he could
not give some assistance, but Denni-
son. too, was sliding slowly down the
roof.
Harvey's presence OF mind did not
leave him. "Lie down 6atr' he called
So both men carefully laid themselves
at full length on the icy roof in order
that the Increased friction might re-
tard. and perhaps stop. their descent
For an instant 1t checked the move
ment. Then the men began again
slowly 70 slip nearer the angle OF the
roof and the steep pitch below.
II seemed like hours. although II was
only few moments. when Harvey felt
his heels catch on slight projection.
A blind gutter had been built into the
lower edge OF the upper part OF the
roof to carry OF the large amount OF
water that would fall upon such an ex-
panse OF roof. The upper gutter pro-
jected above the slate roof only about
half an inch. but 1t was against this
thut huINGJ bttin hdu Nahkoe
There he hung on the very brink OF
the abyss-safe for an instant. lie
dared not move a muscle, however, or
even turn his head to see II Dennison
were still on the roof. He did not cry
out for help. for he feared that the
mere effort OF filling his lungs and
shouting might dlslodge him. No one
hn 40 A( tho
roof from the street below. The only
hope lay in the carpenters who We're
at work inside the building. But how
should they know what was happening
up there on the roof?
Suddenly Harvey heard voice. low.
but distinct, come from the tower
above him. Hold on" 1t said. ''and
I'll help you!" Then after long time
Harvey heard the sound OF several
voices. Whoever had found him had
got help.
The first voice spoke again: Hold
on! We will lower this rope to your
Presently something rubbed on the
slate above Harvey's head II was
the rope. which they were slowly |
working down toward him.
"Can you get hold OF III" asked the
voice.
II don't dare move much" Harvey
replied. Cant you get II down near
my handT'
They had TO give It a dip TO get 1t by
his shoulder. Then It traversed the
length OF his arm and finally touched
his hand.
Harvey raised his arm very careful
ly and took hold of the rope. IL was
an inch cable that had been used In
raising the slate from the ground TO
the roof.
"Can you turn over very carefully
and climb upT asked the voice.
Cautiously Harvey worked bis hand
along on the rope-it was his right
he finally drew 1t taut.
Then he carefully raised his left hand
Ind. reaching across. grasped the rope
With that hand too
Then when the worst Of the matter
was over. he began to shake like a
eaf. He lay there. fat on his back,
singing desperately to the rope and
ireading inexpressibly the next step.
How was he 10 turn over on that slip
,ery roof when he needed both hands
o cling to the roper
At last he spoke hoarsely:
Can you pull me upf"
They consulted together.
Il don't dare to turn over" he
dded.
There was a sharp tug on the rope.
Harvey let them draw his arms up 20
heir extreme length. still afraid TO
rust his weight TO his rescuers. Then
e felt his heels lose their grip on the
utter, and he began slowly to move
pward.
1t was not till he had nearly reach.
d the tower that he dared turn his
cad in Dennison's direction to see II
70 were still safe. There be was,
pread out on the roof. just as Harvey
ad been. he did not move a muscle.
'aiently, heroically, he waited his
urn. Then the men seized Haryey's
and drew him into the
)wer.
In few minutes Dennison was also
escued. looking little blue round
be mouth. but unharmed. Neither
ian suffered any III effects from his J
sErible ordeal.-Youth's Companion. 8
The roads TO ruin are always kept q