The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-18
TIE SEXTON THoUGHTIr WAS SUNDA i.
Strntford'T Peaceful Farmers Aroused by
the Ringing OF tho Church Hell.

StrntrordS Peaceful Farmers Aroused by
the Ringing OF the Church He'll.
STAFFORD, Conn. May 17.-This quiet viii
lage was startled this morning by the ringing
| o! the big bell In the Episcopal church steeplc.
and nearly tho whole town turned out to learn
whether there was fire or n riot 1t takes an
earthquake or a tornado to disturb the eGua-
nimlty OF the peaceful farmers here, but TO hear
the bell ringing for ten minutes in the middle
of the forenoon on week day was so far out OF
tho ordinary they thought something must be
the matter. 1t had not happened before since
the news OF the assassination OF President Lin
coin. unless in celebration OF some holiday de-
monstration. Groups OF people on the main
street inquired OF everybody they mot the
cause of the unusual demonstration. and
crowd gathered at the door OF Christ Church
only to find It locked. But the bell kept on
ringing.
After all was quiet, the old sexton, Mr.. Lang
ford. came down from his little room under the
belfry and threw the front doors wide open.
lie was confronted by crowd OF his neghbors,
all OF whom asked in one breath what was the
matter. Their surprise was not greater than
his own. for the good sexton had oversight.
and. thinking 1t to be SUNDAY morning had
taG b smave %0Hnd tne nan ci1GH ann rug
the united clonueuce OF the whole gathering to
convince the faithful sexton that he had mis-
and consulted the old almanac would he
change his Sunday attire for his every day
clothes.
reporter Of THE SUN. who was one OF the
anXiou- crowd at the Post Office. enjoyed the
fun. and also listened to the story of an Incl
dent which happened several years ago in this
town. John Curtis. midd!e-aGed farmer. and
good Methodist brother. made funny mis-
take which WAS the reverse Of the miscalcula-
ton to day Of Sexton Langford. One pleasant
SUNDAY morning Curtis got up very early with
milking Two COWS ana getting q light
breakfast he yoked his oxen and started
for the her, salt, meadows. four miles
by 10 O'Clock he had moved load of salt
grass and loaded it up; Seated on the fragrant
hay. Mr.; Curtis started for home. and nothing
main street until he reached the Episcopal
church. some half dozen teams were hitched
in front OF the sanctuary. hut 1t might be a
the Congregational church he saw more horses
fastened and waiting. and wondered how it
coul ID be hat he had not heard OF the weddings
carriages Of his brethren and half dozen
youths standing by the churchyfard gate AS
Rs q Worh ars ne esnFa
Curtis a-wor;in' on Sunday" Had a bomb
shell struck the load OF salt hay Curtis's aston
ishment would not have boon greater. nor
would his team have come to more sudden
la, as he hollered:
"Whoa Say young man. you don't mean TO
Well. shall always think So" was the re-
Ii t1ok Curtis about two minutes TO unhitch
his cattle from the cart and drive them 10 q
neigh boring barn. where they were unyoked
with meek and repentant heart that Curtis |
entered church. not minding his muddy old
clothes and the load OF hay stood in the street
in 'front.' OF the church until daylight next
morning.