Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-01

THE MUSCULAR MUSICIAN WHO RINGS THE CRIMES
CHORD LOST WHEN A WIRE sNAPs-'PEEK-A-
BOO" FROM THE BELL-CLAPPEBs-THE WATCH
NIGHT SERVICES.
The year 1889 came in at the appointed time,
and had it not been for mans never-dying de-
sire to celebrate whenever the slightest oppor-
tunity appears its coming would not have
affected the human tympanum and delicate
nerves would have received no shock. The
last few moments of 1889 were dotted here and
there with sounds that indicated what was in
process of preparation. Stray pistol shots and
experimental fire-crackers banged aud fixed
and sputtered for five minutes before mid
night, and here and there could be heard
resounding explosion, prematurely caused by
some enthusiast whose watch was in a hurry.
The most elaborate reception given the New
Year was, however, in the belfry of Metropoli-
tan NJ. E. church. and STAR reporter was
there.
RINGING THE HOUR.
Zone minute MORE" said Prof Reichenbach,
who, with his coat off, was waiting for the hour.
The minute slipped around as swiftly as minutes
always do and then-Crash. pause that was
filled with buzzing, droning sound. Crash.
And so ii went until the eleven bells had to-
gether struck twelve times. Then there was
brief silence; the customary New Year COM
pliments were exchanged and the professor
was at work again filling the air with the liquid
and far-reaching melody of the bells. How
they filled that beltry, though, Their heavy
changing was at times almost unmusical, and if
the ears of anyone in the immediate neighbor-
hood were at all tender they suffered from the
powerful conclusion and from the ever-accom-
panying ''drone.'
MUSCLE AND MUSIC.
The changes ceased, and while the professor
looked for his next selection the sound of noisy
celebration on the outside foated up to the
tower. Ring the bells of Heaven ought to
be appropriate" said the ringer: ''here goes"
and he made a dive for the lever he wanted
and then for another and another with rapid
ity and force that would bankrupt anyone but
very agile and very muscular musician.
The program was medley, for following close
on the hymn came ''Peek-a-boo.n the rendition
of which on the bells seemed to be parallel
only to such performance as that of waltzing
by an elephant 1t was a surprising success
however, which is probably more than could
be said of the elephants saltatorial efforts.
Then you'll remember me" ''Oft in the Silly
night" Climbing up the golden stairs and
Robin Adalr were among the many airs: the
latter being marked by delicacy of express
sion not often displayed by bell ringers.
BROKEN NOTE.
"Once i'll while one of the wires breaks"
said the professor in response to a query by
the reporter. That generally stops me. I'm
a little dubious about one of these now. but
hope it will not go back on US Just yet. There's
only one more tune"
Sweetly and softly the notes of Home. Sweet
Home" rang out. and when the air had been
concluded the professor proceeded to repeat
1t with more force, and a duet. He was
nearly through just couple of measures from
the end, and then--a wire broke. The de-
lection failed to spoil the tune, however, and
the new year was welcomed pleasantly, melo-
dlously, in the belfry of the Metropolitan
church.
wATCH-NIGHT SERVICES AND FESTIVITIES
The streets at midnight were quite full of
life. Many watch-night parties were held, and
sounds of merriment came from every sight
Those more religiously inclined attended the
solemn watch-night services of prayer held in
the churches. These meetings were more than
usually well attended.