The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-10-22
THE CRYSTAL BELL.

house one stormy winter night where was
Obliged to stop on my way to New York. The
landlord of the inn was one of the surly kind
who never spoke an unnecessary Word, ahu
hardly vouched an answer to civil question
This was douby disagreeable to me, because
there were no books or newspapers, neigho orS
or acouaintances within the premises, with
whom to chat and gossip, and so beguile few
hours that were hanging heavily on my hands
After various Intellectual attempts to enter INTO
conversation with my host, who from the
dignity of his manno: was styled "General
Dudley, | was Just about falling asleep when
the door suddenly opened and man walked
in. After he had shaken the large takes OF
snow from his coat, he walked to the IRE
which was cracking merrily in the CRATE.
He looked exceedingly shabby, his appar"i
consisting of q thrcadbare coat, when was
buttoned to the throat, old anu thoroughly
drenched shoes, which came within rev
inches of meeting his pants, Poor fellow he
looked altogether as though he had not eaten
meal for a week, with his pockets innocent
of "cash" for still longer time.
When he entered, the general, (who was
seated at the bar counting his money raised
his head and inspected his new customer from
head To foot | noticed the poor man was
somewhat frightened at the stern look, but he
seemed to gather enough courage to ask IN an
imporing manner;
Can lud shelter for the nght?'
Full, every room full sir" answered the
general I'VE seldom accommodate strangers
here
at is bad night" answered the stranger.
"And shall not be particular where you may
place me, any small corner will be welcome
Sorry, sir, very sorry; but | cannot help
YOU" and the general coolly went back to his
former occupation.
The stranger cast one longing look at the
bright fire, another at the lllnty landlord, then
turned and was about to leave the room, but
ali my fear and respect for the general vanish.
ed at the moment.
"Stop" cried, rising from my chair; wait
a minute sir, this weather is too bad to allow
a man to spend the night out of doors. True,
| have not the pleasure of knowing you, but
my bedroom contains two beds one of which
is at your disposal If you will accept it,"
In my anxiety 10 see the effect my words
produced on my landlord, | did not overheaT
the thanks which the stranger expressed.
do not remember ever haying seen such pic
ture of surprise. Ny courage ebbed perceptl.
bly, after my speech was finished, for expect
ed nothing less than to be put out OF doors in
company with the stranger. To my greatest
establishment the general changed his manner
and said:
"lf Mr. Massey wishes to practice such I'M
selfish generosity, | have no objection to his
plan"
This change gave me my native courage,
and determined to strike while the iron was
hot" peremptorily ordered a hot supper.
But you have just eaten your suppe" re-
Piled the general, trying To regain his former
dignity.
That does not matter; | want to eat again,
| often eat two suppers''
Ia my victory over the general began to be
impertinent Suffice 1t to say that within half
an hour we had IA steamlng supper between US
During the meal the stranger and myself be
came the very best of friends had never
met mole agreeable companion. lie had
been everywhere, had seen everything, knew
everything No matter upon what subject |
touched he was AT home. He amused me to
such an extent that we sat together in my room
until nearly o'clock, and it never entered my
mind 10 ask whence he came, where he was
going or why he travelled IN snowy country
without cent in his pocket went to bed
without locking the door Or putting my watch
under my pillow.
Just as morning was dawnlng was sudden.
ny awakened and found somebody seated at
my bedside. | Immediately rose to sitting
posture and recognized the stranger. He was
entirely dressed and looked like a departing |
spirit in the dim ghostly light. For Il mo-
ment, before had time to gather my thoughts, !
the idea seized me that he was about to rob
me, and inslinCtvely | cutched his arm.
Calm yourself" he said, smlingly. MY |
object III awakening you Is to thank yor again
for your extraordinary goodness. God bless
you for it, | haven't much, but what have
is yours Here is a crystal bell" and he
showed me a small clearly cut glass bell, that
looked like a chlld's plaything. 1T was cast
in a foreign country" he SAID land the master
in creating it sang the magic form over IT, 1t
is the touch stone of truth. If an untruth be
tod TO the person who carries 1t, the bell will
make a SOFT, ringing noise. You will laugh
over il now; but please try my talisman-it
will not dsappoint you Farewell"
He placed The bell upon the table, and before
/ had time to answer him, he disappeared thro'
the door, which he quietly closed behind HIM
Mechanically, took the bell and examined
it. 1t was OF the Cearest crystal; even the
tongue was Of crystal, but as pliable as the
finest watch speing ! tried to ring it, but
could not hear the laintest kind Of a NOISE, !
tried again and again but IN VAIN. ! arose to
see whether my watch and vauables were in
their places and found everything as / had
left them. My friend was evidently no thief
With renewed curiosity took the bell aud
made the same Intellectual attempts TO draw a
sound from 1t.
The whole day the little bell occupied my
thoughts, and the last words OF my mysterious
friend haunted me:
"lf an untruth be told to the person who
carries il, the bell will make a soft ringing
NOISE.
Annie Ray Dear, sweet, true, clear eyed
Annie Ray! Why did your image constantly
appear before my vision, whenever | touched
the belly And when thought of you why
did the face OF that hateful Aubyn appear at
the same time? | suffered terribly. | was
engaged 10 the prctiest girl in the world, she
loved me- and | was rich enough to fulfill
every wish Of her. Suddenly this stranger
come, gives me tallsman, as he calls it, to
test the truth-and Immediately begin to
doubt the truth of my beloved one, which, ere
this had never entered my mind. Did she real
ly love me or my wealth? Did she not en-
rouraDp that IptpGtIhip Harry An m