Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-16

both of US. We slid down the drop-line to the
comparative safety Of the roof ledge until we
recovered our equilibrium.
After that the rest Of the work was easy.
In two days we had repaired the spire and
were back in Chicago ready for our next job.
On the roof Of one Of Chicagos tallest sky
scraper hotels was 90-foot steel hagpole. It
Rugged the edge Of the roof and got the fun
sweep Of the wind. In fact 1t was about the
meanest hagpole have ever seen. One day
we got the job of painting and repairing it.
An examination showed corrosion around the
length couplings. When discovered this, I told
our man. Van, the human fy who was to do the
work. that he must be particularly careful. Van
liked to show off. He was fond Of doing stunts
when he was on the top of q pole to entertain
the crowds IN the street.
fred him several times for doing this. He
would stay away for q spell possibly doing a
few poles for himself, but he would always
come back to US and ask for his old job again.
Each time he would promise to stop Stunting
and would take him back. For while he
would work diligently and then the stunning
habit would get too strong for him. can't tell
you how many times Van was fired and hired
so many that I've forgotten.
Nevertheless, he was one of the best human
flies we ever had, fearless and oVer-daring at
times, but always on the job-when he wasn't
fired. On this particular day said to him:
Now, listen here, Van this pole is in bad
shape. IF had the most remote thought that
you WOuiO Dreak your promise ana SCdrC STUNT
ing while you are up there, I would send you
back to the shop and get another man in your
place"
He promised faithfully he would behave him.
self, so I let him go ahead and climb the pole
But no sooner had he adjusted his seat and
drop-line than he suddenly flung his body out
ward, balancing himself like an image over
the street. shouted to him to STOP but he
pretended not to hear me-
When he was tired of standing still he began
to revolve around the pole, spinning himself
like wheel, faster and faster. was so angry
almost foamed at the mouth. Suddenly
there was q snap. The pole bent outward The
upper section began to sag. carrying Van and
the great gilded ball down with it.
groaned. thought 1t was all over for Van
But with sudden heave he swung himself in
and managed to clasp the upright section of
the pole with his right arm.
He shot down that pole faster than any fire.
thump just as the broken part Of the pole struck
the cornice and bounded of into the street
picked him up and found that outside Of bruises
and bumps he was not hurt. But that expert
ence cured him of stunning.
My brother had almost similar experience
on q pole on a 30-story Office building in
Chicago. This one was also o0-footer and
was placed near the edge Of the roof. We had
q contract to gild the bali at the top and paint
the pole itself.
After we had examined it through binoculars
and assured ourselves the joints were in good
condition, we wrapped tape around our hands
and knees and prepared to scale 1t. My brother
went first. AS soon as he reached the top,
was to follow.
Charley had climbed about 20 feet when