Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-08-16
MISC ELLAN Y .
The TOllinS Bell.


Not many months ago, in one of my Summer
rambes, | found myself on beautiful Sabbath
morning the guest ola worthy aud intelligent fam
ily in quiet country village.
The early breakfast was nver parent and chill
dren had joined in reading chapter in the Bible
Mr.. Sedgwicll, the head of the family, had then
offered up tervent prayer, at the conclusion OF
which we all arose from our knees; when our ears
were greeted by the clear deep peals Of the ring
ing church bell.
so aie!'' exclaimed Mrs. Sedgwick. looking
at the clock "Our time piece must be slow"
That is not the first bell for church," replied
her husband solemny. There has been death
in the village. The bell is going to toll Tor Mar
tin Lord !"
''Such then is his unhappy end" unused his
wife. well, ii will be wrong to mourn his death.
If death was ever merciul providence, it is So in
this case"
SIS ita person who had been long sick ~
asked.
Instead of answering my question directly, Mr..
Sedgwick said,-
There is very melancholy history connected
with that young man. 1t is now sometime since
the excitement occaSioned by this strange trage
dy died away; but the tolling of the bell this
morning must bring it back forcibly to every heart
Perhaps you would be interested to hear the stu-
ry ;"
| expressed my desire to listen to the narration
upon which my friend gave inc the details of the
following story, which | relate with only slight
deviation from the original
Martin Lord was once the flower and the hope
of one of the mos; respectable families in the vii
lage His amiable disposition and superior intel
lao nj
Although of slight figure, and pale features,
which indicated a constitution by no means robust,
Martin was remarkable for his uncommon beauty
and indeed his fine noble forehead, shaded by
locks Of suit brown hair, his large expressive blue
eyes, straight nose, with thin Grecian nostrils.
aud rather voIupIuuus mouth, entitled him in some
measure to that consideration.
Martin was great favorte with the ladies, old
and young but he never showed any marked par
tiallty to any one, until he became intimate with
Isabella Ashton, the daughter of our late clergy
man, who died OF grief about year ago.
No two beings could be more different Isabel
Ia was the most thOughlless girl in our village
She could have little sympathy with a person of
such deep feelings and elevated intellect as Mar
tin; and beautiful as she was it seemed strange
that he should have given slove TO her. There
is no doubt but she was attached to him perhaps
she loved him as well as she was capable Of loving
any one; but in this instance, as in all others. her
affections were secondary to her love of sarcasm
and mischief.
Martin and Isabella had been pointed out as
lovers. by village gossips, Tor several months; he
was now nineteen. and she was of the same age.
when the tragedy occurred, which the tolling OF
the bell has recalled II my memory.
1t was on an Autumn evening. nearly five years
since, that Isabella took advantage Of the absence
os her father to have social gathering of young
people at their house. Martin of course was pres
ent with the fairest youths aud maidenS; aud be-
ing under no restraint from the gravity of the cer-
gym1n. who was not expected home till late. the
company enjoyed themselves freely with jests.
soa5S, aud social games.