Year: 1876

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

 Now, there is a vast difference be- tween 8 bar erected on level ground, and an iron lantern on the wall of & church hundred feet high, from which g fall upon the rough pavement must have an absolutely fatal effect.

 The more l considered my situation the less it pleased me, and there I sat and smiled feebly at the multitude be- low, which increased every moment, ashamed to cry for help, or make known my fear; ,, here any longer shall lose every favor able chance to escape. 1t is ludicrous to become bewildered, like child that has gore 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 l will close my eyes and act as if 1 were performing on the soft turf of my garden"

 In the space of a minute I stood on my legs in the lantern, and wondered at my foolish weakness, when I observed, to my terror, that I still had the most difficult part of my undertaking to per form. Raising my hands above my head to seize the smooth stone caves, I be- came aware that they were at least a foot and half beyond my reach. In vain did I rise on my tiptoes, and stretch out my arms convulsively it seemed highly probable that should have to spend the night in this situa- tion.

 This was truly no agreeable considera- tion for the seat was only just large enough for me to sit upright in it, and if fell asleep, which was possible, I should be precipitated headlong upon the pavement. Then they could collect my bones the next morning. At this critical moment was reioiced by the appearance of the sexton on the caves. He had missed me, and had come to seek me.

 his exclamations of astonishment, "I am, as you see, in 8 peculiar dilemma, since l cannot reach the caves. You d 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 a powerful man, and l am not particularly heavy"

 "Oh, sir, am sure that cannot lift you r he replied.

 "My good man, you m9stl" assert ed. "I cannot indeed pass the whole night in this situation, and, moreover, I might pack up my bundle tomorrow immediately, when this stupid story be- came known. Do not be foolish, there fore, and give me your hand" | In reply the sexton crouched down | unwillingly, and stretched out his hand, which firmly seized with both mine by the wrist, while swung myself out into midair. l felt one or two convulsive jerks, and was drawn up about half a foot, but then at once let down again. He could not raise me.

 looked up. Such a visage as met my gaze, may l never in my life see again It was pale as death; the pro- truding eyes stared with the expression of measureless terror into the abyss be- heath us, and cold sweat stood upon his forehead. "Let go!" he cried. "Curses upon you, let go! You will break my arm can hold on no longer, and shall be dashed in pieces ["

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

 Silbermann, said, listen to me, and cease this unreasonable clamor. I can feel that you are gaining the coun- terpoise more and more every successive second. If I let go of you shall per ish; if not, we both will, and I assure you that I'shall not let go, as long as I can hold on. You had better, therefore, draw me up at once."

 l saw that he set his teeth together, and closed his eyes. Then followed a terrible exertion of strength, and I was kneeling upon the caves. The sexton lay beside me in deep swoon. now bore him carefully through the trapdoor to the vestry, and gave him water, so 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 again trod this almost fatal place, and you can easily imagine that l avoided St. Peter's lantern like fire.

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

 Although the gymnastic mania was not entirely frightened out of me by this adventure, it only remained in a modi- fled form, and have since confined my athletic exploits to places less perilous than the scene of those moments of ter TOT,