The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-12-31

pleasure;
And watch the old years waning torch
Well spread our tether, and sit together
| On New Years eve in the belfry porch
Early in the evening. Edwin ar
rived at the cottage; and the other
who had been invited to spend the
evening of the old year, began to
drop in. But the sudden illness OF
the old sexton threw a gloom ovel
their enjoyment, and the hours
were passed in quiet conversation
and attentions upon the sick man
About IL o'clock, Seth looked at
| the olG-time register, and then turn
ing to his wife, said: "Come, dame
give me glass of ale and get my
shoes and coat. Unjust go and light
up the church and ring the bell fol-
the midnight prayers"
4 Father" answered his wife
"you cannot go out tonight, You
are too weak to walk a step, and
| were you to face the Journey to
the church it would be the death of
you"
Dame, do as I tell you,' rejoined
he; 81 must attend to my duty. /
am not so weak as you think. That
ale has put new life into me. Where
is my lantern? Ellen, put some oil
IN it and light it for me; must be
Egoing."
"Father," said Edwin, {" [ will do
your work tonight for you'll will
attend to everything. You lie
down and rest"
"Not II" cried the old man. ST
have counted the last and first
minutes of thirty-tive passing years
ia the dear old church, and I am
| not going to fail tonight. Give me
the lantern, child"
He stood up and took a step
toward the door, but his strength
failed him, and after standing a
moment or two, sank back into the
chair.
"There," said the dame 81 told
you you could not CO."
Father" said Eilin, "don't 90
out tonight. Edwin will go for
you"
"Silencel I must and will 60" he
cried. "Give me another glass and |
will be all right. There, now, l can
CO."
Stay" said the dame; let Ed
win go and light up the church, and
you, if you will go, can accompany
him and"
"No," said he,"I will do my work:
Edwin shall go with me, but l must
co."
Again the feeble man arose from
his seat, and this time, by mighty
effort, be got on his coat and hat,
and took the lantern. A strange
light shone in his eyes, and he
seemed only half conscious Of what
he did. Edwin took his arm and
led him out into the midnight still
ness. They walked slowly up the
church path, and had nearly gained
the belfry porch, when the old man
stopped -" Hank! listeni Edwin.
did you speak,"
mo; what's the matter, father 2"
:" | thought I heard soma one
speak"
They listened a moment, and then
took another step or two.
"Ah! l heard it again. Who |
speaks? I heard it, Edwin! | heard |
1t twice = Seth'S work is Go3ee!'
Who says Seth's work is done? All!
look, Edwin! There he isl The
old phantom priest sitting in the
porch! But l am not afraid! This
Is my church! Let me go, Edwin,
L can walk alone. Yes; you go in |
and light up the candles. Go round
TO the front. l ana better now. l
VIII go in and toll the bell-toll the
bell for the old year. All, alb, ah!"
After a minutes pause, Edwin
knowing that the time for getting
5he church ready had come, and in
lending to return as quickly as pos
'l6le, thought he had better let the
I'D sexton have his way, and left
nm Just outside the entrance to
he belfry. The sexton unlocked
lac door, and was just entering. lG
when the same hollow voice which !
le had heard before, muttered.
Seth's work is done!" There was
sepulchral tone in those words, 1
which awed even the stout heart of
'oor Seth, and he was terribly
frightened. His frame shook and |
us teeth chartered; his terror at a
hose weird words almost paralyzed
Inn. He elung to the wall for a | 6
then his wonderful courage /
eturned, and he rallied, He must | 4
oil the bell. He set the lantern OaI Y
he floor and, after many efforts. v
OF upon the stool, and his trem. 4
ing hands clutched the rope. b
Full, pull, pull; butno sound. He D
ad not strength to move the clap b
er. Pull. The fourth time the 8
ell was struck. But, ali! that b
oundI-" Donei" Another pull <
Done!" "Holy Yirgini The y
nantom speaks in the bellI That v
read word, done,' goes to my heart 8
Ike cold, elammy hand!" To-
The last pull =" Donel" The lii
Wtul sound came echoing down the a
ID walls, and rumbling through the a.
auit. 1t seemed as though the Il
cry stones spoke, and joined in the rt
ylng cadence. His brain began to
hiri, his sight to swim, his limb W
give way from under him. He L
as about to make another effort at in
le rope when, on turning his head. III
IS glaring eyes fell upon the door. al
nd there standing in the dark
chway. with lighted eyes and out ST
retched hand, his honey finger m
)lnfines t0 tho o,rorod .k.J