Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-11-18


but my eyes encountered no other
familiar countenance. Of course No
reen would not attend, but there must
be some special cause to account for
Raymond's absence. He was the sort
to whom such an occasion as this
would naturally appeal.
Satisfied by my scrutiny, explored
the opposite wall in vain for any SINH.
lar opening. AS l remembered there
were Offices there, where in days of
peace the county officers held sway,
and the floor above was an unfur-
of the building, having low, unceiled
roof. In the old days it had been
used for storage purposes, and there
was a narrow stairway leading down
into the sheriff's Office. Ay! and there
was a contrivance there once in which
they used to burn waste papers. l re-
membered a certain house cleaning in
which | assisted, and was assigned to
the job of stirring the papers fire.
quently with an iron poker. I thought
it fun, and the chimney funnel was
a big one. Possibly it was there still,
but could succeed in getting up that
far? The light shining through the
broken paper permitted a faint glimpse
of 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 a black mystery. However,
the irregularity of the stones promised
finger and foot hold 1t offered a
chance, hope-and I could ask no
more.
l 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 SCOT
so | was compelled to struggle con-
stantly to refrain from coughing. My
only relief was to bind handkerchief
across mouth and nostrils
While the music remained silent, l
rested fearful lest my struggles would
be overheard, taking such meager
comfort as I could The first blare
of the horns started me off once more,
careless in the midst of so much noise
as to whether | ratified the loosened
plaster, or even dislodged an i'll
secured stone. But at the best the
passage was made by inches, and
took more than one desperate chance
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 l
made another attempt to ascend, but
had scarcely attained more than a
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 a tin covering
which fell rather noisily to the floor
I paused startled at the sound, but no
CLEAN of ligat came through the open
ing, and | instantly realized that the
attic was unoccupied. The rattle of
the tin would, in all probability, Gre
ate no alarm because of the din be-
low.
knew now exactly where I was, the
only immediate problem being my
q oh hot
row space. The old-time burner had
evidently been removed. I wriggled
my way in head first. My knees
were doubled up in the chimney, and
my feet found solid purchase against
the stones. 1 felt as though the very
skin was being peeled off me, but
shot forward my head and shoulders
emerging into the open Heavens!
what a relief! | drew a 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.
1t was SO still l 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 I 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 ga ned
was to my advantage. There was no
safety until I was out Of this building.
l ached from head to foot, my clothes
must be in rags, and, no doubt, | was
as black as 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.
I crept toward them across the rough
board floor, fearing fall, and finally
located the opening. Nothing indi-
Gated that the room below was occu-
pied, and l slipped down as silently as