Year: 1877

| hO oun wac rObeihS pOiOAo ohOuSh
of undertaking my return, which wal
especially induced to do by the sight o.
one or two persons, who were standing
below gazing up at me.


1t was not three minutes before quite
a crowd of people had gathered about
them to enjoy the spectacle of a mar
sitting in st. Peters lantern


"Hallo!" thought l, cit is now time
to return. Some one will find out who
am, and then there will be a pretty
gossip in the place. But / suddenly be
came aware that return was not so easy
My seat wasso constructed that cOulC
not rise in my usual way. The sides O
the lantern were of smooth iron, and 81
high that could get no hold. There
was nothing left me but to press my
hands upon the seat behind me, raise my
self so, and draw my legs after me unit
they could rest between my hands upon
the lantern. Then l could raise to my
full height and turn around on my axis


This way of raising yourself every
gymnast knows and practices, but every
one knows, too, what an exertion o.
muscular strength in hands and arms j,
necessary in this procedure, and that any
mistake would occasion failure-per
haps, too, fall below.


Now, there is vast difference between
bar erected on level ground and an
iron lantern on the wall of church q
hundred feet high, from which a fall
upon the rough pavement must have an
absolutely fatal effect.


The more 1 considered my situation
the less it pleased me, and there sat
smiled feebly at the multitude below
which increased every moment, ashamed
to cry for help, or make known my fear


"Well," said I to myself, elf I sit
here any longer I shall lose every favor.
able chance to escape. 1t is ludicrous to
become bewildered, like child that has
gone astray in climbing, quite aside
from the astonishment that the story
must cause, If it comes to the ears of my
parishioners and supporters. UP, then
/ will close my eyes and act as if were
performing on the soft turf of my gar
den.


In the space of minute / stood on my
legs in the lantern, and wondered at my
foolish weakness, when l observed to my
terror that still had the most difficult
part of my undertaking to perform.
Raising my hands above my head to seize
the smooth stone caves, l became aware
that they were at least foot and a half
beyond my reach. In vain did rise on
my tiptoes and stretch out my arms con-
vulsively; it seemed highly probable
that / should have to spend the night in
this situation.


This was truly no agreeable considera-
ton; for the seat was only just large
enough for me to sit upright in it, and
if l fell asleep, which was possible, l
should be precipitated headlong upon
the pavement. Then they could collect
my bones the next morning.


At this critical moment 1 was rejOiced
by the appearance of the sexton on the
caves. He had missed me, and had come
to seek me.


"Silberman!' / cried, interrupting
his exclamations of astOnishment, 81
am, as you see, in a peculiar dilemma,
since / can not reach the caves. You
must help me. 1t is no use to bring a
rope, since you would not have room to
brace yourself. If you bend down, how
ever, and reach me your hand, you can
exert your entire strength and raise me.
You are powerful man, and ! am not
particularly heavy"


"Oh, sir, am sure that l can not lift
youp he replied.


"My good man, you mustp l asserted.
can not indeed pass the whole night
in this situation, and, moreover, might
pack up my bundle tomorrow i'm
mediately, when this stupid story became
known. DO not be foolish, therefore, and
give me your hand"


In reply the sexton crouched down,
and stretched out his hand,
which firmly grasped with both of
mine by he wrist, while l swung myself
into mid-air. / felt one or two con-
vulsive jerks, and was drawn up about
half foot, but then at once let down
again. He could not raise me.


/ looked up. Such a visage rs met my
gaze may ]. never in my life see again.
1t was pale as death the protruding eyes
stared with the expression of measure
less terror into the abyss beneath us, and
a cold sweat stood upon his forehead.


"Let gop he cried. courses upon
you, let gol You will break my arm !
l can hold on no longer, and shall be
dashed in pieces below"


He walled like child at this moment
of extreme peril. My hair rose-my
brain reeled. l expected myself every
instant to plunge below. My despera-
tion gave me GOODNESS, and i was sur
prsed at the clearness and consistency
with which spoke.


"Silberman," / said, listen to me and
cease this unreasonable clamoI. 1 can
feel that you are gaining counterpoise
more ard more every second. If l let
go of you shall perish; if not, we both
will, and assure you that shall not
let go as long as l can hold on. You
had better, therefore. draw me up at
once"


I saw that he set his teeth together
and closed bis eyes. Then followed
terrible exhibition of strength, and / was
kneeling on the caves. The sexton lay
beside me in deep swOon. l bore him
carefully through the tray'door to the
vestry, and gave him water, go that he
soon recovered consciousness; but neither
Of us has ever forgotten that perilous
adventure upon the caves OF the church
roof


AS for myself, three months passed by
before l again trod this almost fatal
place, and you can imagine that /
avoided st. Peters lantern like fire.


The sexton kept the secret, assuring
inquisitive questioners that an eccentric
EDglishman, travelling through the coun-
try, had taken his seat in the lantern,
and his version of the story was cur
rently believed.


Although the gymnastic mania was
not entirely frightened aut of me by
this adventure, it only remained in q
modified form, and have since confined
my athletic exploits to places less peril.
Gus than the scene of those moments OF
terror.


CoNNoIssEURs of cigars are making
the discovery that Brazil affords an arti'
Gle equal to If not surprising the best
Havanas. A tabacco trade of thirty.six