The Osceola times., 1886-07-10
MERSTHAM STEEPLE.
An Awful Experience Among It's
Great, Cruel Bells.

It was the height of summer. The
Queen and Prince were to arrive at the
castle that afternoon. All the country
side was on tiptoe with excitement, and
the preparations for the progress were
in all mems mouths. Some were eager
10 iell of the .riumphal arches which
were to greet her Majesty at every few
miles of her long drive. Some were
full of the great banquet and bali 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 pancgyric of the
wears address of welcome. To me all
this was interesting enough, but was
toe inconsdcrable to play any part in
pageant, and too old TO lind any lasting
entertainment in tho bare repetition
and foretaste of the wonders to come.
''Let those rehearsc.n said !, 'that are
to reclte, and gossip that have breath
TO spare. ] can see the cavalcade from
the steeple while it is still in the next
parish, and follow il for miles across
the plain, while these yokels are wait
ing at the crossroads. l will bctake
me to the tower and enjoy tho 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 or
barrier, except where, about midway.
great beams span the abyss and carry
the bells. The peal is large. in number
ten, and because the louvrcs are but
small the bells are crowded together
level with the orllicos, so that the sound
of them all may have the same ample
exit. | stood on the narrow windOv =
ledge from which | expected to see Z 9
royal procession. and peered through
the openings. The sun was blazing
down in full power, spreading over the
plain a thin and quivering haze, through
which shone the moss with prince Y
glow of purple, and the silver band 1
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 sullon folds round its
flagstaff ready for hosting, and a
twinkle on the road by Burwood told
me where our gallant troop of yeo-
manry was drawn up with cleaning
swords and paving chargers. waiting to
Jay their service at the feet of their
sovereign. A faint and indolent lowing
now and again iloated up from the
meadows, and an idle dog of the keep
erS bayed with titful energy. The air
was thick and faint with the richness OF
the bean flowers, and a 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
h@ glorious wings, and from the ivy on
the wall faint occasional cheep. a
hsrsher croak, or the rustic of the leaves
told of the swifts and DAVIS who lurked
and enjoyed their slesta 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, | 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 fstiguing to the minds eye as
well as TO the body's. Poised upon my
narrow window-sill, found my posi-
ton very crsmped and grew weary of
hanging on to the louvre with one hand
while | shielded my eyes with the
other. II was to remain ensconced
here, and in this pose, 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. II had better have
stayed on the bench outside the Cord
and Cowl, " said |, "than TO have toiled
up these weary steps to hang on here
for an hour Am | fly that | should
stick upon pane, or take walk up
side down to beguile the timer 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 looked round
to find seat.
This was a more difficult matter. l
might descend to the belfry, but as
looked at the forty feet of steep ladders
below me, | 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
crueifxion would have given me any
fxity of tenure SO l edged out on to
great beam which crossed from wall
10 wall just under the bells TO stay up
the tower against their swing and jar,
and as l 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 oommodious and roomy