The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-11-27

only relief WAS 10 bind handkerchief
across mouth and nostrlls.
While the music remained silent.
rested, fearful lest my struggles would
be overheard. taking such meager
comfort as I could. The first blare
OF the horns started me OF once more.
careless IN the midst OF so much noise
as 10 whether l ratified the loosened
plaster. or even dislodged an H.
secured stone. But at the best the
passage was made by inches, and
took moro than one desperate chance
OF slipping; twice I chung breathless
as the music ceased, but the second
time l felt convinced l had attained
TO the level OF the upper floor.
With the next burst OF melody from
below. now somewhat mellowed by
distance and the intervening walls,
made another attempt TO ascend. but
had scarcely attained more than
foot or two when my right hand
plunged into a wide opening. Clinging
as best l could to a precarious foot
ing, ran my arm deeper In until
came in contact with tin covering,
which fell rather noisily TO the floor.
! paused, startled AT the sound, but no
CLEAN OF light came through the open
ing, and instantly realized that the
attic was unoccupied. The rattle OF
the tin would. In all probability, cre-
ate no alarm because OF the din be-
low.
knew now exactly where was. the
only immediate problem being my
ability to squeeze through that mar
row space. The old-time burner had
evidently been removed wriggled
my way In head first My knees
were doubled up In the chimney, and
my feet found solid purchase against
the stones. ! felt as though the very
skin was being peeled OF me. but l
shot forward. my head and shoulders
emerging into the open. HeavensI
what a relief drew long breath.
dangling over the floor, unable TO
reach any support: then kicked and
struggled until fell out headlong, and
lay too exhausted even to move.
II was SO still could plainly hear
the swift beating OF my heart, and so
dark that not an object was discern
ible. The music below had ceased.
and. as was now on the opposite
side OF the building. the sound OF con-
yersation and movement did not reach
me. For long moment | lay there
endeavoring to recall the surround.
ings. but ! dare not waste much time
| In such idleness. The night was slip
| ping away, and every instant gained
was to my advantage. There was no
| safety until was out OF this building.
I ached from head to foot, my clothes
must be in rags. and, no doubt. was
as black as a negro from chimney SCOT.
Yet my heart beat high with hope. and
the spirit of adventure gripped me.
| The stairs were somewhat to the
| right, unprotected by even a handrail
| crept toward them across the rough
board floor, fearing a fall, and finally
located the opening. Nothing indi
Gated that the room below was occu.
pied. and ! slipped down as silently as
possible. although the steps creaked
| under my weight. Once In the sher.
| ms room, some recollection OF its
form and furnishing required to mind.
My memory served by the dim refiec-
ton OF a campfire Without, which rem.
dered objects family visible. could
distinguish the desk and n few round.
ed-back wooden chairs pushed against
the wall. There was a door TO the left,
standing ajar. leading into wash.
room. and | yentured within, feeling
about to assure myself II there had
been any water left | found bucket
nearly full, and two bars OF soap, and
unable TO resist the luxury. stripped
of my ragged uniform coat, and be-
gan vigorous scrubbing How thor
ough a Job ! made OF II cannot tell.
but the soap lathered freely, and l
certainly did my best. using up an
entire roller towel in the final effort
To attain cleanliness.
There was coat and hat hanging
on the hooks, neither article OF the
highest respectability judged from
feeling them. but more 10 my purpose
| IMAM thbb uhu tdnl doiuCt anu l
donned the two gladly. finding them
no bad fit. The hat was looped up
with star. Feeling quite myself
again In these aew habiliments, and
conscious @. clean face, stole
across the sheriff's deserted Office
seeking the door into the corridor.
found II. but II was locked Failing 70
force this. ! tried the windows. only
to discover them securely barred. All
these Offices were connected together
that OF the county clerk adjoining the
sheriff's. and possibly might find a
door unlocked somewhere; at least
none of the other windows would be
ignored.
listened at the door leading into
the clerks room. but heard no sound
There was no lock on the door. and
Il opened silently TO the pressure OF