Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1872-04-03

hills. She began to quake, but when her
eyes fell upon the gray swallows nests,
she became courageous again. Leaning
against the side Of the huge frame. in the
midst Of which hung the bell, was a mar
row bit Of plank across which was nailed
a series of wooden strips, intended to
serve as footholds TO those who ascended |
to the top Of the structure. 1t had been
used principally by the sexton, whose
duty it was to oil the various wheels and
joints 10 the machinery; and the child
now determined to max G use Of it TO get
into the nclghborhood of the birds above
her head.
1t was an act which required courage
and nerve, especially in her; but she ac-
complished it by mounting slowly on her
feet and hands. Presently she stood
breathless and haferoct upon one of the
wide beams, tightly grasping the rim Of
the large aud slender wheel by means Of
which the bell was rung. But there was
still loftier foothold. 1t was the top of
the thick, wooden cross-piece, from which
the bell was suspended 1t was broad,
bolted and braced with iron clamps, and
was arched in such manner that it af.
forded u step of at least six inches in ele-
vation. Timidly did Little Majesty place
her tiny foot upon this formidable height.
She pressed forward, aud at the same
time she raised her hand above her head
aud placed her fingers against the diDgy
and shattered ceiling. She drew her
other foot slowly after her, and then,
gasping with fright, and still with her
face glowing with excitment, she gradual
ly ventured TO look around her. For a
while she did not dare to move. Il
hope" she said to herself, with a momen-
tary sinking of her heart-''I hope they
will not think of ringing the BELL Pre-
seutly, however, she felt safe enough to
shake her head at the few remaining birds,
who looked at her with great curiosity
from the holes in their nests; pretty
smile irradiated her face, though it went
and came just as the soft breeze frighten-
ed her or left her alone. So slender was
she, and so delegate was her hold, that il
seemed certain that puff must soon come
that would carry her away, and float hel
out at the wnnow.
She began to talk to the birds.
At first she chirpped and soothed them
to suit her fancy, and then she proceeded
to more serious business.
Poor dears, poor dears," she begar
in sympathic voice 81 hoped you
listened to what the mason said about you
yesterday, and that you would be gone
long before this. Didn't you hear him
didn't you understand ? don't you know
that the ceiling is so cracked and broker
that they have got to take it all down
and that all your nests have got to come
with it? No? then what ears you mus
have! They talked loud enough, Tn
sure. And they are terrible fierce SC
of men-they have no feelings not ;
bit of sympathy They will come will
spades and hooks, and will send you fly
ing without syllable Of warning. Ism
that hard ? say, isn't it hard ?" Sh
shook her curls and grew sorrowfuly "Ah
you dear little simpletons, you can Dol
your heads as much as you choose;
don't care whether you believe me or not
but it's true, brides, it's true. You mus
90, and SO | thought I'd come and war;
, you. | am not hard-hearted, and | shall
, miss you dreadfully-dread Sh
then looked at them intently for while
and she had to laugh at their grave man
ner of looking at her, first with one eye
and theu with the other. What
frivolous set you are. to be sure J" sh
= cried don't you know your position
! don't you? Do you want to wait unit
the swearing men come and tear ever
, thing to pieces, and make dust thic
I enough to choke you? | tell you you
better not Go now. Don't sit ther,
Fly away. Sh-h-h-h Sh-h-h-h"
She franticalIy shook her hand and ru
e tied her skirts, at the same time emittiu
g from between her teeth the very milde
y of dispersive sounds.
6 Still the birds only Auttered a littl
!, Then she began to scold, half in fun an
e half in earnest.
Suddenly series of sharp shouts al
g cries came up from the street. 81
d paused midway in gesture, and listent
= like frighten deer. All at once the
Il was soft rattle below her. She gre
A deathly pale and instinctivcly tighten'
h her only hold--namely, that upon. Il
l. ceiling, 1t was weak and fragile as
e crust, and it broke away. She cast
Is glance above her at the wide aperture S