Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-11-28


will have nothing more to do with it,"
"You are silly, Giles. Because
may have done wrong is no
reason that the church should not &C.
cept the bell"
"Have your own way, Parker, have
your own way. But / tell you that the
money came through evil, and that the
bell will bring evil"
you are croaker," said Mr.. Parker.
1.-THE bell will be swinging in the tower
of ST. Agnes before two months, and on
Christmas day it will ring as merrily as
any bell in all England"
'We'll see, Parker, we'll see."
So the conversation ended for that
day, and the subject was not mentioned
again for almost month, when, one
night, while the two friends we're seated
at table in st. Agnes inn, discussing
the different brewings of all, the clerk
of the parish entered.
'Good-evening, Mr.. Miller" said Mr..
Giles. Take seat and some ale, and
tell us the London news. When did
you get homer"
This afternoon"
What news about the casting of the
bell?" asked Mr.. Parker.
bad news" answered the clerk.
81 told you So" said Mr.. Giles. 81
told you so. What is it, Miller? Out
with it,"
81 went to see them pour the BELL"
replied the clerk, ''and all was ready at
three o'clock yesterday. The melted
metal was in huge pot that some
workmen were swinging by derrick
into place to pour, when chain parted,
and the molten mass was spilled onto
two of the men, killing them in
stantly."
What did tell you, Parker? What
did | tell you?" asked Mr.. Giles.
didn't say that it would bring evil?
Here are two good lives sacrificed, and
fear that there will be more IL the
work is continued"
"They will try again next week."
said Mr.. Miller.
''They had better stop where they
are. They had better stop" answered
Mr.. Giles.
Mr.. Parker had nothing to say. He
appeared very much affected by what
he had heard, and began to fear that,
perhaps, his friend Giles was right
But on that day two weeks he had fera
gotten his fears, and, entering the inn,
in an exultant tone saidl 1.-THE bell is
here, Mr.. Giles, and will be hung on
the morrow, It's SO large that we must
build scaffolding. and take it up out
side of the tower and let it down
through the roof. You must come and
help"
Not 1, Parker, not I. l wouldn't
touch hand to it for all of the wealth
in the parish"
you are very silly, Mr.. Giles. But
come and see US hang it, There will
be fire in the church stove to keer
your fingers warm"
~ wouldn't go into the church after
the bell touches the grounds for all thai
could be offered to me, but l will be
there to see."
THAT is right Mr.. Giles, come ant
hear the bell ring merry laugh Al
your fears"
On the next morning the bell wa.
deposited at the foot of 81 Agnes tow
err, and the men who had gathered a
the church were warming themselves
at the fire inside, waiting for those whit
had not yet arrived; all. excepting Mr.
Giles, who stood ut some distance from
the tower, looking upon the bell in
frightened manner, as though 1t WA
some sort of brass-jawed and iron
tongued wild beast ready to spring upol
him. To Mr.. Giles the bell was not
senseless mass of metal, but the incar
nation of old Humphreys evil deeds
and he was shaken by the very though
of its blasphemous voice calling tn,
worshipers together. While he stooC
shaking his head at the bell, Mr.. Parke
come behind him and struck him on tn,
shoulder, He started as though HI
thought that the bell had something t,
do with the blow he telt.
GOOD morning, Giles" said Mr.. Par
ker, don't stand freezing here in Ell
Geld morning air. Come in and warn
yourself, and give as hand, and w
will have the bell in place in no time.
mo, Parker, no. I wouldn't touch
hand to the thing for all of the roya
treasure. And l would as soon thinl
of entering the lower regions as tina
church"
Just as you please" replied Mr.. Par
ker. Stay where you are for half a,
hour and you will see the bell swingin
and hear its voice laughing at you"
Mr. Giles was left alone, and his trien
went into the church and soon cam
out again followed by the othe,e, an
preparations were made to hoist the bel
into position, Mr., Parker took hi
place on the top of the tower beside a
impromptu crane that had been erected
with its projecting arm reaching on
J beyond the wall, and holding suspende
a rope that was to draw up the bell. Al
was made ready. One end of the rop
was securely fastened to the bell, Will
the other end, which had been run owe
pulley on the crane above, was 81
cured to a windlass on the GROUND
Eight men seized the arms of the WIND
lass, and walked slowly around it, Tn
bell began TO rise and soon was swing
ing clear and then began to ascend
Higher and higher it went while MI
Parker allowed the rope to pass throug
his hands, and gave directions to tn
men below.
Mr. Giles stood speechless, shadin
his eyes, ana watching this monster c
a bell suspended by the neck and swing
ing between sky and earth, and tn
thought came into his ndnd that sue
4.