The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-02-13
Constable, continued he,t with a would
be dignified air, bring in the bells

t9s~~AN'sS~~ s>'t FSAssS1 stAS OSAos
Yes, yer honor za,a e,t n...
~ q few moments the string of bells
and bellfries from .Barebones's' neck
were in the court.
Examine and report said the ga
pient tJustice. al1 FL
Three, yer honor; three, only, are
tbelIs..' ssF tts e si go E
3 e1hrso !! very good. shuball Wat.
SOM said Wigglcsby, assuming o Sc.
we're look and pompoua tone as he turn.
ed to the amazed pedlcr, show is it that
you are daily before me I? how is it that
you are ever breaking the laws ofyour
country :? trespassing upon the rights
of your neighbofs Interfering with the
regulations of the commonwealth eau.
sing 75 II go, o..f
Now, Square, I swow;; as tits for
that - iey- 2 hzf.ii .A',s'ss'''t 'sl : r.
sSilence! not a word of contempt
Shuball Watson, I fine you FIVE dollars
and costs of court for being upon the
highway of the commonwealth, to the
great danger of the life and limb of the
commonwealth, with but three bells at
tached to your sleigh or vehicle, when
the law clearly and expressly says that
the number shall be five or more and
may this be solemn warning to You in
future, and sancti6ed to your good
'Whow !,Jc-hosi.phat! FIVE dollars
for the bells! now, Square, an's you
leetle tu hard on o Teller. when good
ness knowa, them ere three I make
more noise than q hui bashel basket full
of the little thimble jingling things thai
arc on your sleigh
sSilence!a bell is belt the Statute
knows no distinction between BELLS
'Sho'ow!-wa'a al, now, but Square,
mine are as iarge us COW BELLS, 's'a
Cow bells or chasch bells, it matters
not;a bell IS q beN,' cried the now fu-
rioqs Justice. spay your fine Immediate
ly and be,oa or I'll fine you for CON
tempt -,ass,s%s-.iti, SO, y .s7..s..
araasa: iiis u skin skin purse ssss
whilst kis iaee brightened as 8 neW
thought struck him. Iie soon paid the
fine and left The Office in d brown study,
shaking the dust from the shoes as hr
crossed the threshold. 'Bellsis is bells
yes--zactly so-r7bclis is BELLS rnutter-
ed he to himself. ,s:g
The following nightwa bright and
clear, and the stars swinkled out coldly
from their coyerss in the sky. The
earth was clothed inits wintry mantle,
and the ice covered trees glis.ened like
diamonds. The air was stiff and biting
whilst the 'weo sn,a hours ayant the
twal' were fast approaching. The mcr-
ry sleigh bells had ceased their music,
and the inhabitants of Chad long
since retired to their slumbers, when
suddenly terrific crash and ringing
was heard in tine streets that started
every one from their beds. What
could it be (? was it FIRE? was it the
dreaded Peter Rugg? Windows few
up, and night caps protruded, despite
the severity Of the atmosphere. On it
comes - crash-bang -ding--dong rat
tlety whang and TO the wonder Of all,
old .Barcboncs' ambles along, his head
and tail dropping as usual. Shube sitting
bolt upright, and fourishing his stick,
with FIVE large cracked church bells at
tachcd to his cart in various places ring
ing on horrid discordant peals upon the
night air. Some wondered, some
laughed, some swore, and closed their
windows with an impatient slam.
Halo halo what is this? who arc
you that thus disturbs this ncighbor-
hood, making night hideous?' cried the
enraged dispenser Of justice, Squire
Wigg!esby, as he learned from his win
dow ?'who arc you? Ill have you ia.
ken up!
sBrUs is bells 2 shriekcd Shubc as
he shot round the corner Of the Squirrels
house, whilst Wigglesby drew in his
head like a turtle. Down Chestnut, up
Grove, through Walnut and along Cc-
tlar street hurried Shnbe; old Bare
bones seeming to gather life at every
step, and evidently we'll pleased with
his mission.
Good heavens! has that demon
come again 2 cried many in dismay;
shall we never get sleep 2
Old 'Barebones' was aboard again,
and Shube hourishcd his stick and han.
died his ribbons as graceful as If ma.
king time 'inside Of 2::40.'
MIR. Watson Mr.. Watson! cried
Wigglesby from his window; do go
home, Mr.. Watson, and let us sleep;
come, that's good man, do; a joke is
| a joke, but this is carryingit a little
TOO far.
Bells is bslls, Squire. yo know, and
Bones and me ia taken sleigh,ride,'
cried Shube as he flew past. ii party
of the b'hoys, who had heard Of the Joke,
| uara oI tha rn>yk nnrpap a,,I nhaare1