IV
EXPERIENCE OF AN AMATEUR CLIMBING TO A STEEPLE-TOP
IT came to my knowledge, one bracing day in October, that "Steeple Bob" had agreed to "do" that famous Brooklyn Church of the Pilgrims, with its queer, crooked spire and big brass ball, a landmark from the river on Columbia Heights.
"It's one of those easy jobs that are the hardest," said Merrill. "If you want to see us use the stirrups come over."
That was exactly what I did want to see, this puzzling stirrup process which allows a man to lift himself by his boot-straps, as it were, up the last and narrowest and most dangerous length of a steeple; so I agreed to be there.
"If you like, you can go up on the swing yourself!" said Merrill, with the air of conferring a favor. I expressed my thanks as I would to a lion-tamer offering me the hospitality of his cages, then asked how he meant that easy jobs are the hardest.
GILDING A CHURCH CROSS, ABOVE NEW YORK CITY.