Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-09-30
Gelefteo Gale.
FROM MEALS SATURDAY GAZETTE.
THE STORY OF THE BELL
Translated from the German,
BY CLARA CUsHMAN.

The village was small, and the church was
nota cathedral, butaquiet, unosientatious stone
chapel half covered by climbing plants, and a
forest Of dark trees grew around it. They
shaded the interior so completely in the sum
mer afternoons that the figure of the alter
plece-palnted, the villagers averred, by AL
brecht Dwier--could scarcely be distinguish
ed, and rested upon the broad canvass mass
of shadowy outlines.
quaint carved belfry rose above the trees,
and IN the bright dawn Of the Sabbath a
chime sweet and holy fioated from it, called
the villagers TO their devotions; but the DELL
whose iron tongue gave forth that chime was
not the bell that my story speaks of-thefe
was another, long before that was cast, that
had hung for many years, perhaps century,
in the same place. But now it is no longer
elevated, It's tongue is mute, for il lies upon
the ground ct the foot OF the church tower,
broken and bruised II is half buried in the
rich mould, and there are green stains Creep
ing over it eating into its iron heart; no one
heeds it now, for those who had brought il
there are sleeping coldly and silently all
around the church-yard The shadow of
those dark trees rests on many graves.
How came the old bell to be thus neglected ?
a new generation arose-"See," they said,
1.-THE church where our parents worshipped
falls 10 decay. Its tower crumbes to DUST
The bell has los, its silver tone---it is cracked,
it is broken. We will have new tower, and
another bell shall call us TO our worship"
So the old beliry was destroyed, and the old
bell laid at the foundation it was grieved at
the cruel sentence, but il scorned to complain,
il was voiceless. They came weeks after TO
remove 1.-THE remains would still be of use I;
but strive as they would, no strength was
able to raise the bell it had grown ponderous
it defed thenl--rooted 10 the earth as il
seemed.
"They cannot make me leave my post,p
thought the bell-'I will still watch over this
holy spot, it has been my care for years."
Time passed, and they strove no longer to
remove the relic. Its successor rang clearly
from the tower above its head, and the old
bell slumbered on, in the warm sunshine, and
the dreary storm, unmolested, and almost for
gotten.
The afternoon was calm, but the suns rays
were most powerful. A bright, noble boy
had been walking listlessly under the trees
He was in high health and was resting from
eager exercise, for there was flush upon his
open brow, and as he walked he wiped the
beaded drops from his forehead.
AN, mere 10 tne pace, ut sdiu, Il VIII
lie down in this cool shade, and read this plea
SAINT volume" The lays Of Hans Sachs were
in his hand SO the youth stretched his wea-
ried limbs upon the velvet grass, and his head
rested near the old bell, but he did not know
il, for there was low shrub with thick serra-
ted leaves and fragrant blossoms spreading
over it, and the youth did not care to look be-
yond. ., .. 4s
Presently the letters in his book began 10
grow indistnct, there was mist creeping
over the page, and while he wondered at the
marvel, a low clear voice spoke 10 him. Yes,
1t called his name, "Novalis." al.f
81 am here" said the lad, though he could
see no one. He glanced upward, and around.
yet there was no living creature in sight.
"Llsten," said the voice, IL have not spo-
ken to mortal for many years. My voice was
hushed at thy birth. Come, will tell thee of
it," The youth listened, though he was sad
ly amazed. He felt bound to the spot, and
he could not close his ears
Time has passed swiftly" said the voice.
"since ! watched the children who are now