A FIGHT ON A CHIMNEY.

Mataura Ensign, 21 April 1913, Page 4

A FIGHT ON A CHIMNEY.

An unenviable experience is that related in the March number of tho 'Millgate Monthly" by Mr John Smith, of Rochdale. Not so manv years ago Mr Smith was engaged repairing on the top of an old mill chimney. One day the [assistant who was working with him suddenly lost his reason, and, uttering a terrible cry. tried to jump from the stage. "Joe," with great presence of mind, caught tho madman's ankle as he went over, and there for a moment or art the man hung, depending for hie life upon the strength of another man's grasp. Mr Smith succeeded in getting hold of the man's belt, and commenced to pull him back, but he struggled violently to get free, hi tin- his rescuer's thumb, and behaving in such, a manner that it was impossible to get him back to safety. This alarming contest was witnessed from below by a large crowd, and it seemed as though after all the unfortunate man must pay the penalty with his life, and perhaps also end the life of the man who was trying to save him. Just when it appeared that the struggle must come to a sudden and awful conclusion the resourceful spirit of Mr Smith made itself manifest. Picking up a jemmy he hit the man over tho head with it. It was the only way to save his life. And then Mr Smith calmly lowered the stunned madman to the ground.