The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-10-13

sister Flora. An old-fashioned. tall
clock was not so highly priced as now.
Bric-a-brac hunting was an unknown
mania. and clock that would rot tell
the time of day. no matter how ancient
and honorable its history. was we'll out
Of the way in boys WORKSHOP.
This old clock Fred and had taken
to pieces and put together again times
without number, in the hopa of max
ing it keep time so that we could put
it in our room. Sometimes it would
90 nicely for several hours, and then
some unlucky pinion would slip lis
place, the pendulum would slowly
come to standstill and the piteous,
patient looking old face would stare
at US as if in blank disappointment at
being left behind in the march of time.
But. worn out and useless rs it was as
time-keeper, it could strike as loudly
and boldly as in its younger days, and
we had no small amount of fun in
turning the wheels so AZ to hear its
silyery ring and asthmatic wheeze.
After school we discussed Fred's plan
thoroughly and enthusiastically. 1t is
doubtful If we enjoyed its fruition
more than We did talking it over, and
eagerly adding suggestion after sug-
gestion until it was, in our estimation,
perfect.
1.-The plan is just this. jamie" said
Fred. Take the works out OF the
case. fasten them in the fireplace, put
q long. stout string on in place of the
striking-w weight cord, wind the reel on
the striking side as full ~ We can. then
pass the line upover puliy at the top OF
the chimney, and put on the weight.
The old thing will strike Is long as it
takes the weight to run down."
1t took some time to get every thing
ready No spy was ever more secret
or cautious in his movements than we.
We never talked of our plans where
any one could hear. In the workshop,
with doors shut and locked, or Mt sun
down. driving home the cows from the
pasture lot. or at night, buried in the
bed-clothcs, we discussed it. The prep
arations. too, had to be made in the
night We nearly broke our neck
climbing out on the roof night after
night to arrange our "crack o doom.
as Fred called it. Mailing the works
OF the clock in the parlor tire-place re-
quired all our skill in amsteur burg
larry. But we managed to accomplish
the task. although l was shut up be
mind tie tireboard half the night, ant
Fred sprained his ankle jumping out o
the window when mother came into thu
room after a book
At last all was ready. By means OF
q string which one of US could pul
from the kitchen (where ladder wa
to furnish safe retreat to terra tirma)
. single. holding the weight at the tol
of the chimney, would be jerkcd out
and as the weight began to fall thu
clock would begin to strike
The next thing was to get the Oppor
tunity to put our scheme in operation
Strangely, Mr.. Pettiiohn's skillful fea
Of pulling our door-bell just SO rs tc
cause the bell to ring out three distinc
taps and no more, was not performed
for full week. Fred and l were il
mortal dread every day that our prep
arations would be discovered. An,
day father might take u notion to clear
out the parlOr Fireplace and the chin
ney. Fortunately he did not, and MI
Rogers peculiar ring at the door bel
at last pealed on ears that were mos
intently listening for that welcom
sound. s..-s t.-.
We boys slipped out of the kitchen
where we had been engaged in tierc
debate with Aunt Elizabeth on prop
osition to keep our pet chickens In thu
cellar next winter instead of IN tn
barn. Our first impulse was ~ plan
ourselves In position on the roof OF tn
kitchen ready to pull the string. o.
second thought we reflected that GU
intended victim would probably spcn,
the evening, and we concluded +
make the hest Of our situation by wait
ing until we thought he ought to bc get
ting ready to depart. The better b
ward off suspicion we spent the cvenin
several blocks away. with some Of on
boy friends
As we approached the house. a it'll
before ten o'clock, we saw the iigh
streaming from the parlOr window
and knew our prey was still there.
, took my place at the string. treu
bling with expectation of the critic;
moment when Fred. who had statione
himself in the lilac bushes under til
south window OF the psrlor. Shout
give me the signal by throwing peh
BILE on the kitchen roof.
Time, always slow when waited, wa
never ~ slow, it seemed. ~ during tn
full hour waited for the thud of ths
pebble on rhs roof. The night trai
came laundering up the valley while
sat there, and l counted echo afte
, echo OF the shrill whistle Of its loco
motive, and traced its snake-like lin
! Of light until it wound around di.
: tant hill and was out of sight. Ho,
the dogs barked that night! | busie
: myself in distinguishing the score Q
more OF canine voices whose night
, bayings were familiar in our neigIbo,
: hood. Now and then old Boze. GU
: family horse. wonld shake himself |
his stall and MUNICH his provender fC
Q moment or two. and then cease
, make living sound. A long s,oY
could be told u the pictures that wcr
called before my mind by the noises
heard In that single hour.
5 Suddenly In the midst Of one Of the.
> mental pictures. Fred's pebble fel