Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1871-03-30

80 ntefmmabie; perhaps, even, ! might
not have felt SO helpless in the
unknown horror that was about
me, thought would repeat oOe of the
cantces, for knew them batter than
anything else; but somehow hey died
away in wandering wondering thoughts,
more aecordant with the fierce gusts that
dashed against the tower thar with the
simple, musical words tried 10 say. All
what was that distant sound2 The turn
ing Of heavy, grating lock, i,r away. II
was quite faint sound againt it reached
me, yet could distinguish il so readily,
50 eagerly, with quickening pulses, and
with strange hot flame rushing to my
cheeks in the darkness,
Steps along the church foot below. So
intensely was listepiHg--wiA such pain
tul, strained attonNon-that | believe !
could have counted them; though now,
from the same spot, | feel sure | could
hardly hear steps, however heavy. Yes,
up the beltry stairs they cam, and now
streak of yellow light crossed the btltry,
from wall to wall My eyes-widc open,
and almost bursting with eagerness--
strained into the dark corners, waiting and
ready for what the light shnld reveal
there. Inever looked who was coming
through the door; all thought of my re
lease now seemed swallowed up in the
hungry desire to see what had been with
me in the darkness, The tittul light from
two lanterns danced up and down the
gloomy place, but ! had seen nothing
Voices began talking in low tones then,
though my aching eyes never turned from
their search, listened ~ guess wen
find him Just as we lett him, eh ~ | heard
in mans amused whisper; 81 expect no
other, the drunken rascal and yet could
almost have sworn heard the bell" With
a sudden flash of the lanterns on the wall
close to where | sat, came a little laugh
In all my life, no laugh ever sounded like
that to me Was it Il relief, or was it the
last touch of the unnatumlness that sur
rounded meY | shiv5rcd, as if it ran
through me with the Wild answering laugh
of the wind outside. " it'll a siCkcning
fear that consciousness was leaving me
once more, and that If it did they might
not find me, pulled myself up by the
bell aud as il rang its weird note, the
light of a lantern was thrown upon me,
standing there-a strange figure to meet
any human gaze, with the fixed stare in
my eyes, ! heard queer kind of cry
from some one; one lantern fell, and was
smashed to atoms; heard feet running to
the door; but | felt, too strong arm
round ne; heard mans rough voice
than which no other voice, though, ever
sounded sweeter in my ears-teling me it
was I" all right" Then, once more, all
around me was lost in mental darkness
| awoke on the settle in a small firelit
kitchen where two or three men sat round
the fire silently. When they saw that
was watching them, one said--and rccog-
nizcd the kindly votce-"Are you feeling
all right again, sir? the cold gave me a
shock up ,hcrc." | rose and sat among
them, half bcwildered still, and tried t.
warm my hands, which Were Of pale
green color.
did you hear me toll the belly" |
asked.
Yes sir, surely; aud these hurly com
radeS of mine thought you was IA sperit,
aud took to their hells AS if sperits was
any more likely to be up there than in this
very kitchcn-less likely, l should thlnk,
Considering all things"
What should do? Should | tell them
what knew, or must the horrible secret
live and die with meY
' lOu didn't happen to see no sperits
yerselt now, sir, | s'pose?' he said and
actually think saw the fellow wink
" saw-at least | felt-somcthing,' ]
faltcIed, trying to look at them all as if it
was Just what had expected to do
Did ye, now? Would ye mind, sir,
just giving us yer experience a ghost
story is just the thing for this time of the
morning, with that pleasant little breeze
ALLOWING outside and shiyering all the
winders in its frolic."
But could not tell them; not that il
seemed unnatural and dream like in the
warm glow and companionship, but be
cause it was such certainty that dreaded
to bring the ghaStly reality among them,
Did you see any thing y | added, sim
ply to gain a little time.
The laugh was general.
In course We did, sir, we saw what we
went for TO see, and that was Topin
jerry
What on earth is TOPPING Jerry?'
You may well say what sir, for at
this blessed mint he don't look 'uman
enough for TO speak of aS who Topin'
Jerry, siryis the topingest rascal in ali the
parish, and moreover, besides, he's one Of
st. Marks ringers, the drunkest and dis
orlerlyest fellow as ever pulled a rope.
Yes, yes, | see and he was in the
Deilry last mighty
Well, III tell you how it was, sir, and
how he did come 10 be there letting in
| the new yearin a new way. He's been 80
! often few over thc score lately that
though VIC wouldn't any Of us peach on
| him, we can't 'elp jest wishing the parson
would ketcb him at it, He came to ring
! IN the Christmas last week 10 sech state
as We were all ashamed on, and 20 cap il
| up, he brought "A bottle with him TO renoo
bis falling strength In course he couldn't
ring, he could only set himself ito a
corner agin the wall and sleep, So We
tyld him If he did it agin We would hang
away yesterday evenin', forgettin' the late
service-it surely was rather late, ye see,
sir, for a man as is fond OF y few cups So
cial in the eyenin 50 We knew what was
comm and another fellow dim by you,
sir came to ring instead, and we took a
rope. Sure enough in comes Topin'
jerry with his chin down in his shirt
collar, aud his legs looking ike some
body else's; out come the bottle, and we
let him have his swing At it, then, when
we was comm down, We tied him to two
staples in the wall, straight up on his feet
agin II, with the intention Of shown him,
when he walked sOberer, that there he
was, hanged by the neck till he was dead.
While ! brought you here, sir, these here
comrades OF mine witnessed the iollest
sight Topin' Jerry woke hisself grad.
welly. snd twisted and Proaned hisself into
. blue conyulsions, while they was hid,
with the lantern dark. And he shTiekcd
IL. . "a Il. -