Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1891-11-05
THE STORY OF THE sELLs.a
How and where Edgar Allan Poe Wrote
the Poem,


the Poem.
1t was in the winter OF 1849 that q
young lawyer who had recently been
admitted to the bar in Baltimore. was
sitting late one evening before his
cheerful fire in his Office indulging in
reverie. writes Raphael S. Payne in
the Chicago Times, when he was sud-
denly aroused from dreamland by a
'oud knock at his front door. The
lawyer arose and went to the door.
AS he opened it and looked out he OBJ
served gentleman wildly gesticulat-
ing. who appeared to be talking to'
himself Ibid you knock?" inquired
the lawyer.
Yes, sir. was the reply, in pleas
ant tone, land | trust you will pardon
me for disturbing you at SO late an
hour. should not have done so had
not some thoughts come to me as
was passing along which l very much
desired 70 put upon paper. Seeing
your light / ventured to obtain per-
mission to enter your Office, where |
might through your kindness, be al
lowed some paper on which to jot them
down.
Certainly; you are quite at liberty
to walk in and make yourself at home.
said the lawyer.
The stranger followed, and the law
yer, placing some writing material at
his disposal, at the same time Offering
him seat at the table, remarked that
IL he-would not deem it impolite, he
would retire to his private apartment
for the night since, being bachelor
he kept bachelors quarters adjoining.
But you are very welcome to remain
as long as you want to-" added the
lawyer, and babe him goodnight.
Early next morning the lawyer
awoke and his first thought being of
the stranger he hastily dressed himself
and opened the door which led to his
Office. There to his great astonish-
ment he beheld his guest Of the pre-
vious night still sitting there where he
had left him hours before, his head
resting on the table and he fast asleep.
But the slight noise awakened the
stranger, who, quickly rising, apollo,
gized most profusely for remaining so
long, remarking that being exceeding
ly fatigued the night before he had
unintentionally fallen asleep. His
friend would pardon him. perhaps; and
extending his hand toward the lawyer
he turned to go. But you have-neg-t
lected to take your manuscript said
the lawyer, stepping forward to the
table and taking up several sheets Of
paper covered with the most beautiful
chirography. {
''Oh, no, sir" replied the stranger
smiling. II have left that for you in
token of your great kindness to me.
| have a copy of what have written.
Good morning"
The lawyer examined the manu-
script and found it to be lyric of cap
tivating beauty entitled simply The
Bells" But his surprise was deepened
when. at the end of the singular poem,
he read the authors name-Edgar AL,
Ian Poe.
Poe was at this time on his way
from Richmond to Philadelphia. where
his wedding was soon to take place.
and while stopping in Baltimore he
fell into the company of couvivial
spirits. which resulted in his indulg-
ing in a terrible and prolonged de-
bauch. Recovering from his spree,
with nerves unstrung, the paugs of
remorse fixed upon his conscience aud
the thought OF his lady love haunting
him, and the following stanzas are the
original poems as written on that oc-
casion, he having changed and subse-
quently added to it:
The bells hear the bells
The merry wedding bells
How fairy like melody that swell
From the silvery tinkling cells
OF the bells--bells--bellsl
OF the bellsl
The bellsI Oh the bells
The heavy iron bells!
Hear the tolling of the bells!
Hear the knellsl
How horrible a melody there floats
From their throats--
From their deep toned throatsl
How shudder at the notes
From the melancholy threats
OF the bells--bells-bellsI -
OF the bellsl