The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-11-24
THE CRYSTAL BELL.
TRANSLATED from the German.)


where 1 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 and hardly
vouched an answer to civil question.
This was doubly disagreeable to me be-
cause there were no books or newspapers,
neighbors or acquaintances 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 manner was styled
General Dudley, / was just about fall
/ ling asleep when the door opened and a
man walked in. After he had shaken
the large flakes of snow from his coat, he
walked to the fire which was cracking
merrily in the CRATE. He looked exceed
ingly shabby, his apparel consisting of a
threadbare coat which was buttoned to
his throat, old and thoroughly dreDched
shoes, which came within few inches
of meeting the pants. Poor fellow! he
looked altogether as though he had not
eaten a meal for week, with his pock-
cts innocent of ''cash" during 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. L
noticed the poor man was somewhat
frightened at the stern look, but he
seemed to gather enough courage to ask
in an imploring manner: "Can [ find
shelter for the night?''
Full, every room full Sirp' answered
the General. s'We seldom accommo-
date strangers"
''It is bad night" answered the
stranger. "And / shall not be partic-
ular where you place me, any small cor
ner will be welcome"
''Sorry, sir, very sorry; but | cannot
help you," and the General cody went
back to his former occupation. %
The stranger cast one longing look at
.he bright fire, another at the finty land
lord, then turned and was about to leave
the room, but all my fear and respect for
the General vanished at the moment
"Stop'' 1 cried, rising from my chair;
wait minute. sir, this weather is too
bad to allow man to spend the night
out of doors. True l have not the pleas
ure of knowing you, but my bedroom
contains two beds, one of which is at
your disposal if you will accept it.
In my anxiety to see the effect my
words produced on my landlord, I did
not overhear the thanks which the
stranger expressed. I do not remember
ever having seen such picture of sur
prise. My courage ebbed perceptibly
after my speech was finished, for ex-
pected nothing else than to be put ont
of doors in company with the stranger.
To my great astonishment the General
changed his manner and said:
eff Mr.. Massey wishes to practice such
unselfsh generosity, 1 have no objection
to his plan
This change gave me my native cour-
age, and L determined to ''strike while
the iron was hot" I peremptorily or
dered hot supper.
''But you have just eaten your supper, !"
replied the General, trying to regain his
dignity.
''That does not matter, [ want to eat
again, | often eat two suppers."
In my victory over the General I be-
gan to be impertinent. Suffice it to say
that within half an hour we had a steam
ing supper between US. During the
meal the stranger and myself became the
best of friends. 1 never had more
agreeable companion. He had been
everywhere, had seen everything, and
knew everything. No matter on what
subject touched he was at home. He
amused me to such an extent that we sat
together in my room until nearly one
o'clock and it never entered my mind to
ask whence he came, where he was 60
ing, or why he travelled in snowy coun-
try without a cent in his pocket. even
went to bed without locking the door, or
putting my watch under the pillow.
Just as morning was dawning I was
suddenly awakened and found somebody
seated at my bedside. / Immediately
rose to sitting posture and recognized
the Stranger.-He was entirely dressed
and looked like departing spirit in the
dim ghostiy light. For a moment, before
l had time to gather my thoughts, the
idea seized me that be was about to rob
me, and instinctiyely clutched his arm.
"Calm YOURSELF" he said smilingly,
my object in awakening you is to thank
You again for your extraordinary good
ness. God bless you for it. haven't
much, but what | have is yours. Here
is crystal bell, and he showed me a
small clearly cut glass bell that looked
Ike child's plaything. t'It was cast in
a foreign country" he said, 'tand the
master in creating it sang the magic from
over 1t. 1t is the touch stone of Truth.
Ii an untruth be told to the person who
carries 1T, the bell will make soft ring
lug noise. You viii laugh over it now,
bat please try my talisman-it will not
disappoint you. FAREWELL"
He placed the bell upon the table, and
before / had time to answer him, he dis
appeared through the door which he
quietly closed behind him. Mechanic
ally took the bell and examined it. 1t
vas of the clearest crystal, even the ton