The Huttig news., 1915-11-06


 was contrivance there once in which they used to burn waste papers. 1 re- membered certain house cleaning in which l assisted, and was assigned to the job of stirring the papers ire quently with an iron poker. I thought It fun, and the chimney funnel was big one. Possibly it was there still, but could l succeed in getting up that far? The light shining through the broken paper permitted faint glimpse or my immediate surroundings, yet re. vealed little to encourage me. The chimney was barely large enough to admit the upward passage of my body, and was black mystery. However, the irregularity of the stones promised finger and foot hold It offered a chance, hope-and 1 could ask no more.
 was climbing before the music ceased, clinging desperately to every slight projection, and bracing myself against the walls. Progress was slow, and occasionally painful; the con tracted space gave me feeling of suf- location, and I dislodged enough soot so l was compelled to struggle con stantly to refrain from coughing. My only relief was to bind a handkerchief across mouth and nostrils.
 While the music remained silent, rested fearful lest my struggles would be overheard, taking such meager f1r IL. of the horns started me off once more, careless in the midst of so much noise as to whether I rattled the loosened plaster, or even dislodged an ill secured stone But at the best the passage was made by inches, and l took more than one desperate chance of slipping; twice I clung breathless as the music ceased, but the second time l felt convinced 1 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 a foot or two when my right hand plunged into a wide opening CIinging as best l could to a precarious foot ing, 1 ran my arm deeper in until I came in contact with a tin covering, which fell rather noisily to the floor. l paused, startled at the sound, but no gleam of light came through the open ing and l instantly realized that the attic was unoccupied The rattle of the tin would, in all probability, ere ate no alarm because of the din be low.
 l 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 I wriggIed my way in head first My knees were doubled up in the chimney. and my feet found solid purchase against the stones. l felt as though the very skin was being peeled off me, but l shot forward, my head and shoulders emerging into the open. Heavensi what relief! I 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.
 It was so still 1 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- versation and movement did not reach me. For long moment l lay there endeavoring to recall the surround ings, but 1 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 I was out of this building I ached from head to foot, my clothes must be in rags, and, no doubt l was as black as negro from chimney soot 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 1 crept toward them across the rough board floor, fearing a fall, and finally
 
 cated that the room below was occu- pied, and l slipped down as silently as possible, although the steps creaked under my weight Once in the sher- iff's room, some recollection of it's form and furnishing recurred to mind, My memory served by the dim refiec- tion of campfire without, which ren- dered objects faintly visible, I could distinguish the desk and a few round ed-back wooden chairs pushed against the wall. There was door to the left, standing ajar, leading into a wash room, and 1 ventured within, feeling about to assure myself if there had been any water left. l found bucket nearly full, and two bars of soap and unable to resist the luxury, stripped off my ragged uniform coat, and be- gan vigorous scrubbing How thor oush job l made of it cannot tell, but the soap lathered freely, and 1 certainly did my best, using up an entire roller towel in the final effort to attain cleanliness.