The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-12-16
HUMPHREYS BELL.

HUMPHREYS BELL.
Mr. Giles was seated alone in the
tap-room of St. Agnes inn. with his
feet on table and half-flled mug of
ale in his hand. He was looking
through the open door at the fading
sunlight and wishing some thirsty Gus
toner would come up and drop a few
shillings into his till When about
finishing his ale q sound of footsteps
without caused him to remove his feet
from the table and assume more bus
mess like attitude by standing with his
hands behind his back and an indiffer-
emit look on his face, as though indie
pendent of the entire world.
Good evening, Mr.. Giles" said the
newcomer.
Good evening, Parker, good eve
ming" answered MIR. Giles. Come in.
What will you have, and what is the
| news?'
"Ale, Giles, and bit of cheese. You
ask for the news; then you haven't
heard itP"
Mot whit. What is it?"
'.Silas Humphrey"
"What of him?" asked Mr.. Giles.
Dead"
'Dead?"
"Yes, dead" repeated Mr.. Parker,
as he brought his hand down on the
table with emphasis. as though driving
the last nail into Silas Humphreys
coffin.
"When?" asked Giles.
1.-TWO hours and half ago."
MANY a secret dies within him."
said Mr.. Giles, shaking his head in a
mysterious manner.
.'Giles, what do you mean?"
Nothing" was the unsatisfactory
answer.
1t must be something"
mo matter, no matter" replied
Giles. What did he do with his
money!"
HE divided it among some kinfolks
in Wales; all excepting one hundred
pounds
whats that for?''
The good of the parish" answered
Mr. Parker.
Heaven help the parish them
'What do you mean, Giles? want
to know what you mean"
Nothing, Parker, nothing. What's
that money for?"
For bell to put in the vacant
tower of st. Agnes church"
ut will never ring aught but death
knell," said Mr.. Giles in a sepulchral
voice.
Give me an explanation to your
words Mr.. Giles. / demand it. What
do you mean?"
THAT the parish must not touch the
money"
"Why?"
Because it's cursed. say"
Cursed, Giles! Was that the word?"
Eyes, cursed-every penny. twill
bring only mischief. 3"
"How cursed?" asked Parker.
There is blood, red blood on it,
II don't understand"
There is a great deal you don't I'M
derstand. A vast, great deal, Mr..
Parker. But I tell you, will not en-
ter the church if bell purchased with
silas Humphreys money is ever hung i'll
it's tower"
you are wrong, Giles. You are too
severe on Silas, who may have been
little wild few years back, but lately,
YOU know, he has been a sober and well.
behaved man."
II know it. know it. And know
q deal more"
s.What is the matter with you. Giles!
There's something on your mind, and
say out with it like man"
Parker"
"What, Giles?'
do you remember the great mum.
her of robberies which were committed
twenty years ago on the very roae
which lies before this house?''
YES"
..And the murdersp"
Eyes"
ssWho was the robber?'' asked Mr.
Giles
Il don't know"
"Who was the murderer
II don't know"
Il do" said Giles.
"Who?''
Before answering, Mr.. Giles looked
all about the room, and then sinking
his voice to whisper, said:
'Silas Humphrey"
s.Silas Humphreyr' repeated Parker
.sHow do you know?"
LISTEN" said Mr.. Giles, as he tool
his astonished friend by the arm ant
drew him nearer. "About four year
| ago Silas was in here alone, as you ar
now, and had been drinking a grea
deal. as you have not. He was talka
tive, and SO drunk he mistoak me TO
i. some one else-some companion o
} twenty years before and he TALKED
about robbery and murder"
"Well?" put in Parker.
| s.He said he had been the leader o
the gang, continued Mr.. Giles, land h
kept referring to me to corroborate hi
stories a. though had been with him.
"Why haven't yon told this beforeP'
| II didn't dare while Humphrey lived
Indeed no. My live wouldn't be WORT
that pewter pot if I had. Silas wa
too drunk to know what he said, and
didn't propose reminding him of it.
II rather think he was SO drunk b
imagined the whole thing" answers
| Mr. Parker.
Think as you will. Parker. Thin
as you will. But you will see. Mis-
ohisf, and mischief alone. will come on
of that bell. / have nothing more t
say about it, and will have nothin
to do with it."
'.You are silly. Giles. Because Sila
Humphyey may have done wrong it
no reason the church should not acceT
the bell"
Have your own way, Parker. Hav
yonr own way. But / tell you the NOR
ey came through evil. and the bell wi
bring only evil.
.You are croaker, Giles The be
| .u;ll bo Ssu;r oeinn In ST Anneh f0WAr hf