Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-07-09
MERSTHAM STEEPLE.
An Awful Experience Among Its
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 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 | 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 rehearsc," said |, "that are
to recte, and gossip that have breath
to spare. / can see the cavalcadc from
the steeple while it is still in tho next
parish, and follow it for miles across
the plain, while these yokels are wait
ing at the crossroads. / will bctakc
me to the tower and enjoy the spectacle
in quiet.
So climbed the weary stairs of Morst-
ham Stecplc and took up my station on
the platform of the bells. The bclfry 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 oriiices, so that the sound
of them all may have the same ample
exit. 1 stood on the narrow window.
ledge from which | expected TO SEQ the
royal procession, and peered through
the openings. The sun was blazing
down in full power, spreading over til,
plain thin and quivering haze, through
which shone the moss with princell
glow of purple, and the silver band o
the river wound and wandered at tn,
foot of the great hanger. Under tn,
hill the village nestled sleepy and be
lated The tiled roofs in the sunligh
scorched the eye that looked upon them
/ could see the banner on the castl,
tower cling in sullen folds round it
flagstaff ready for hosting, and {
twinkle on the road by Burwood tolC
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 thei
sovereign. A faint and indolent lowing
now and again floated up from tn,
meadows, and an idle dog of the keep
er's bayed with titful energy. The all
was thick and faint with the richness o
the bean flowers, and a slight hum rost
up to me from the myriads of bees busy
in the beans far below. A stray red ad
miral was coquetting and pluming oil
one of the louvres, opening and closins
his glorious wings, and from the ivy OF
the wall n faint occasional cheep, {
harsher croak, or the rustic of the leave!
told of the swifts and davis who lurkeC
and enjoyed their sesta in the inviolablC
shelter of the creepers.
The whole scene was one of untouch.
ed 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
untcnantcd, dusty and torrid as Sahara,
and very fatiguing to the minds eye as
well as to the body's. Poised upon my
narrow window-sill, found my posi-
ton very cramped, and grew weary OF
10, h., L.,
while / shielded my eyes with the
other. If / 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 hinted and
designed rcpose. II had better have
stayed on the bench outside the Cord
and Cowl," said |, ethan to have toiled
up these weary steps to hang on here
for an hour. Am a fly that | should
stick upon pane, or take walk up
side down to beguilc the timeP | had
better sit down somewhere. There is
nothing TO be seen out of window except
the millcr'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 more difficult matter. ]
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
crucifxion would have given me any
fixity of tenure. So / edged out on Ia
great beam which crossed from wall
TO wall Just under the bells to stay ul
the tower against their swing and jar,
and 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
dimension, lay down on my back anC
listened for Thoresby peal.
The posture was convenient fol
thought, and / mused for some time o
various high matters. The tyrant SUI
spicd me out upon my beam, and bea
Gercely in upon me, till j thought il
that abundant glow that / should be
come quite crisp and in6ammable.
closed my eyes and shut him out; bu
presently new disquiet began to plagu
me, for most impertinent and intru
siye knot in the timbpr bored into m
shoulder-blade, and wrung me with an
guisb.
Still keeping my eyes closed agains
the sunlight, / edged gingerly alonI
upon my back until found On ossIs