Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-29

massive. substantial as the walls them
selves. But vet neither to the touch, nor
bv the peculiar ringing sound whlcn II
emitted when struck, did it seem to be OF
stone. 1t gave rather the impression OF
block of solid IRON. But how could this
be? y,
Totally unable to account for this dis
coyery | placed myself on the floor OF the
cell. nv back supported against one OF
the walls, and my feet against the oppo-
site. and was relieved to find that the pos
ture was more tolerabe than expected.
I began to be not without hope that
MIGHT in time be able to fall asleep, and
so pass portion of the weary hours before
me in Inconsistencies Little did know
what was to rouse me. Sleep! it was not
sleep that was in store for me.
Presently loud and startling sound.
seeming to issue from the roof above my
head, burst suddenly upon the silence. 1t
was the great clock of the cathedral strik-
ing the hour The notes fell slowly from
deep sonorous bell But instead Of
reaching my prison, as might have been
expected, in dull. far-of and muff1ed
tones. they fell upon my ears with THRILL
ing clearness and distinctness as If they
\fact that nv cell must be situated directly
under the clock-tower. This conclusion.
however, led me no further at the moment.
sat long time in reflection upon the
number of hours which must elapse before
| could expect to be set free. The bell
had struck the hour of six. The cathedral
would probably not be opened in the morn
ing before 9 or 10. had, therefore, some
Is hours at least before me to get through
as best might.
How slowly the time waned! At seem
ingly long intervals, the bell struck the
quarters; /, 2, 3, 4; and then in deeper
tones the hour ITSELF. And now. when
the ringing sound of the last note had
died away, the bells of the carlton began
to chme. The notes fell upon my ears
with the fame singular and unaccountable
distinctness which had observed in the
striking OF the hour. They chined the
evening hymn.
Very suddenly strange thought struck
me, causing me to raise my eyes towards
the ceiling of my cell IN my present
position | could just perceive the faint
CLEAN OF light dscernlble tar up through
the interspace between the roof and the
wall but the roof itself was buried in
darkness rose slowly to my feet, and
the scarcely formed conjecture of my
| mind was instantly confirmed. AS had
expected, could no longer stand erect
my head now struck the roof The whole
truth flashed at once across my mind.
now saw clearly the explanation of what
had before astouftied and perplexed me.
saw why the roof did not touch the walls
| Of tho enc losurp WHY il WAS formed Ot
massive 'front.' was descending,
Notwithstanding During the hour |
had remained seated, the root had sunk
through space of fully four inches.
But this discovery, when now | made it,
so far from causing me perplexity at once
revealed to me the whole mystery OF my
prison.
The distinctness of sound with which
the Ginning OF the bells reached my ears
had already told me that the belfry must
be situated directly above my head.
now perceived that what had taken for a
solid, heavy roof. was in tact, the massive
and enormous weight of the great clock
| was imprisoned in the bottom of the
shalt into which the weight descended.
The ponderous block of solid metal was
falling at the rate of about four inches an
hour, or rather more In less time than
it takes to trace the words the consequence
OF this flashed through my mind In Is
hours the weight would descend through
a space of 5 feet. Long before | could
be upon me, and would crush me help
lessly against the pavement Of my prison.
&c be continued