Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-02-03
4fliseellallD.
THEMYSTERIOUS BELL-RINGERS.

OnIo- At the time OF which / write Il had lust
been blessed by our legislature with an act of In
corporation granting them the privilege of elect
ing mayor, common council, marshal, and other
officers, for the purpose Of preserving the dignity
and peace Of its inhabitants, and likewise of en-
acting certain wholesome laws, such as an ordi-
nance to prevent the discharge of firearms with
in the corporated limits of Bungtown, ,~-@to pre-
vent the running OF horses in the streets and d.
vers others of equal importance, which II is not
necessary for my purpose here to enumerate, and
which It was the duty of our newly elected mar
shall, Prigg, 70 see properly enforced
An excellent house was the Bungtown Hotel, +"
and fine jolly fellow Boniiaee, who took partic
uar delight in providing the very best the country
afforded in the way Of edibles for the whole SIX
OF his boarders, although ! am inclined TO think
his profits must have been small; for IN his lang
uage they never missed a meal or paid cent
yet the business of the establishment went on, he
deeming II would be injury to the house to dis
miss them
The house itself was a large wooden building.
surmounted with a small beIfry, within which. as
is found in all western village hotels, suspen-
ded bell, which besides answering for dinner
bell, was also used 10 cali the Ostler whenever his
services we're required.
One moonlight evening. about seven clock, the
bell OF the aforementioned inn sas heard to ring
the usual alarm for the ostler, Who soon made his
appearance al the front door but his services were
not required. as neither horse nor man were 10 be
seen, only the 'Lllgers passing TO and fro intent
on business purposes, OF loungng about the cor
ners OF the streets, gravely discussing some knot
ty subject Of a political nature Whilst wonder
ing who could have rang and what they wanted
his asJonishment was greatly increased by sec
ond ringing Of the bell apparently without any
agency, as he stood near the bell pull himself and
could plainly see that there was no person touch
ing It.
This second alarm brought the landlord TO the
door TO whom the ostIer stated the remarkable
circumstance, and Boniface repaired TO the second
story of his house, expecting to find the authors
Of the mischief there; but to his surprise his cham
bers we're vacant, whilst from time to time the
bell tolled forth its notes, and at the same time the
bell rope would appear but gently agitated. Bon
iface was very irritable and with few threats OF
what he would do if he caught the offender, ne de-
sceuded TO the street 10 take survey Of the roof
OF his house This was attended with better sue
cess, for there sure enough was the perpetrator of
the mischief seated within the belfry, with one
hand on tie cIaPper Of the bell. apparently well
pleased with the part he was playing.
Hello, fellowl shouted Boniface, IN no very
amiable mood, you'll obIige yourself the con
foundest by coming down of from my house, and
leaving my bell aloneI'
The person thus addressed seemed 10 listen at
tentvely until the landlord had ended. and then
without deigning reply, again commenced ring
ing the bell Nine host was now oveTfowing
with wrath, and hastily picking up round stone
he again addressed the offender:
See here you! Blast your ugly pictur-if
you don't tottle right down and let that bell alone
why I'll make you that's all
Again the bell tolled forth note of defiance,
and the excited landlord unable longer to restrain
himself aimed the stone full at the fellows head,
but unfortunately missed him; and as the stone
rebounded from the little beIfry the ringing again
commenced on the fire alarm style.
/ By this time quite crowd had collected, and
at the request of Bonface, all joined heartily in
pelrng the offender with rocks, and for time the
/ bombardment was kept up, and the shower OF
stones ratified and rebounded from the roof ike
hail. whilst the bell kept up lively accomPani-
ment, which, together vi h the shouts and laugh
ter OF the crowd in the street, soon attracted by
far the greatest part Of our villagers to the scene
OF action The war of stones was suddenly end
ed by one less adrot than the rest missing his aim
and hurting an unfortunate missile through the
gable window Of the hotel, and Bonilace fearing
that further damage might befal from this mode
OF warfare requested the bystanders to desist, and
leave the whole matter TO him. Hostilities were
accordingly suspended, and the landlord stepped
into the house, from whence he soon returned with
an old fowling piece which he proceeded to load
within full view of the belringer, and at the same
time addressing him somewhat as follows:
See here, mister, I'm going TO have you down
from there and no mistake! Here's the gun and
here the powder Now see me put it in. No
funning in thIsi Now see three shot They
won { Kill you, bat they do hurt proper bad. In
they gol III give you fair warning gs-if you don
come right down and leave that bell alone, why
! shoot, that's all r.
For an instant all was quiet, and many believed
that the fellow would take the landlords advice
and retire Bat the next instant there came d
lively peal from the bell, convincing every one
present that the fellow was fully determined to
stand MS ground at all hazards This was toe
much for mine hcst 10 bear, and quick as Thought
and ere any one could inrerPose, the gun was dis
charged But before the smoke cleared away, the
ringing of the bell proclaimed that he unharm
ed Bonilace was frantic with rage but ere he
could determine IL MS own mind what course to
take next, all further proceedings were arrested
By Marshal Prigg, who, laying his hand on the
shoulder Of the landlord, informed him that he
was under arrest for firing that gun contrary to
law and without farther ceremony marched him
off 10 the Office Of the Mayor, where he confessed
his guilt and was fined three dollars and costs Of
suit
During the walk 70, and whilst a. the Office o.
the Mayor our landlords anger had time 70 cool