The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-07-09
MERSTHAM STEEPLE.
An Awful Experience Among It's
Great, Cruel Bells.

Great, Cruel Bells.
1t was the height of summer. The
Queen and Prince were to arrive at the
castle that afternoon. All the country
side was on tiptoc with excitement, and
the preparations for the progress were
in all mems mouths. Some were eager
to tell of the triumphal arches which
were to greet her Majesty at every few
miles of her long drive. Some were
full of the great banquet and ball that
were making ready at the castle. Some
were agog with the names and digni-
ties of the Dukes guests, and some
with the periods and panegyric of the
wears address of welcome. To me all
this was interesting enough, but l was
too inconsiderable to play any part in
pageant, and too old to find any lasting
entertainment in the bare repetition
and foretaste of the wonders to come.
':Let those rehearse," said l, ''that are
to rccite, and gossip that have breath
to spare. can see the cavalcade from
the steeple while it is still in the next
parish, and follow it for miles across
the plain, while these yokels are wait
ing at the crossroads. l will betake
me to the tower and enjoy the spectacle
in quiet.
So climbed the weary stairs of Merst-
ham Steeple and took up my station on
the platform of the bells. The belfry is
the floor of the tower level with the
ground, and is rooted over at ten feet
height; and from that belfry ceiling to
the tower roof there is no break OF
barrier, except where, about midway.
great beams span the abyss and carry
the bells. The peal is large, in number
ten, and because the louvres are but
small, the bells are crowded together
level with the orifices, so that the sound
of them all may have the same ample
exit 1 stood on the narrow window.
ledge from which 1 expected to see t. Z
royal procession, and peered throus b
the openings. The sun was blazing
down in full power, spreading over the
plain thin and quivering haze, throue h
which shone the moss with prince y
glow of purple, and the silver band q
the river wound and wandered at the
foot of the great hanger. Under the
hill the village nestled sleepy and be.
lated. The tiled roofs in the sunlight
scorched the eye that looked upon them.
] could see the banner on the castle
tower cling in sullen folds round its
flagstaff ready for hosting, and 8
twinkle on the road by Burwood told
me where our gallant troop of yeo
many was drawn up with cleaning
swords and paving chargers. waiting t.
lay their service at the feet of theil
sovereign. A faint and indolent lowing
now and again foated up from the
meadows, and an idle dog of the keep.
er's bayed with fitful energy. The air
was thick and faint with the richness Of
the bean flowers, and slight hum rose
up to me from the myriads of bees busy
in the beans far below. A stray red ad.
miral was coquetting and pluming on
one of the louvres, opening and closing
his glorious wings, and from the ivy on
the wall faint occasional cheep, q
harsher croak, or the rustic of the leaves
told of the swifts and davis who lurked
and enjoyed their siesta in the inviolable
shelter of the creepers.
The whole scene was one of untouch-
cd beauty, English in every line. breath
ing happiness, contentment, and re.
pose. l strained my eyes gazing into the
distance. but still the road by which the
Queen was to come remained white and
untenanted, dusty and torrid as Sahara,
and very fatiguing to the minds eye as
well as to the body's. Poised upon nv
narrow window-sill, found my posi-
ton very cramped, and grew weary of
hanging on to the louvre with one hand
while l shielded my eyes with the
other. If was to remain ensconced
here, and in this pose, l was likely to
be fairly spent before the procession
came ever in sight. The hour, the
scene, and the hush alike limited and
designed repose. Il had better have
stayed on the bench outside the Cord
and Cowl," said l, than to have toiled
up these weary steps 20 hang on here
for an hour. Am fly that should
stick upon a pane, or take a walk up
side down to beguile the time? I had
better sit down somewhere. There is
nothing to be seen out of window except
the miller's bull trying to get into the
wears flower garden, and shall have
plenty of warning. for by the time the
party comes in sight they will be ring
ing Thoresby BELLS" So 1 looked round
to find seat
This was . more difficult matter. l
might descend to the belfry, but as
looked at the forty feet of steep ladders
below me, 1 secuted the very thought.
To perch on the ladder at any of its
narrow rungs was insecure, and dis
tressing to the hams, and. as for win
dow sill, nothing but cobbler's wax or
crucifixion would have given me any
1ixity of tenure. So edged out on to
. great beam which crossed from wall
TO wall just under the bells to STAY ND
the tower against their swing and jar,
znd as am not over fond of dangling
my legs and kicking my heels over forty
feet of dark and gloomy space. and the
baulk was of commodious and roomy