The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-07-05
The Crack In the Bell.

Of course, you have all seen the old
independent bell, or will see it. What
an interesting relic it is, anyway, and
what enthusiasm it awakened on its
triumphant tour to Chicago. How the
boys and girls crowded to see it, wreathed
it with green, crowned it with flowers,
bedecked it with bunting, and yelled at
top of their voices. President Cleveland
did not create half as much enthusiasm
as this old cracked piece of metal. Now,
do not jump to the conclusion that it is
better to be cracked than to be President,
for do not suppose you will get any.
body to agree with you.
The old bell has had trouble. 1t met
with great misfortune, because it was
not able to hold its tongue. A great
many people get into trouble in the same
way. 1t used to ring out its clear, joyous
notes for freedom and independence;
but it will never again proclaim liberty
throughout the land, and to all the in
habitants thereof" Its lips are hushed
forever. It has uttered its blessed pro-
clamation, and now rests on its laurels.
We are sorry, for we need it for new
declaration of independence, when the
chains of bad habits shall be broken.
But the metal lips are hushed. Let the
human lips try to do what the brazen
ones can not.
I have been thinking to-day that this
is not the only bell with crack in it.
For instance. I know young man who
is very bright and companionable. He
is good neighbor, kind and generous.
He would befriend anyone in trouble;
but he will drink, and, what is worse, he
will get drunk. That is the crack in the
bell.
know young lady who is as happy
as lark; she is sprightly and witty and
lovable-has, in fact, many beautiful
traits of character. She is helpful in the
home and in the church. She is thought.
full and kind in sickness, aud is one
whom you would delight to know. But
when see her walking along the street
chewing gum, or exercising her molars
in the same way in fashionable parlor,
it is hard to keep from saying that is the
crack in the bell.
know lad of fine appearance. Per.
haps You know him, too; but I will not
tell you his name just now. You will
see him most any day on the street. He
is full of fun-fairly bubbles over with it
on the least provocation. Ask him to
run an errand, and he is off with bound
and whoop. But he thinks it is smart
to stick a nasty old toby between his
pretty teeth and transform himself into
a sort of two-legged steam engine, using
his sweet, rosy lips as a smoke stack.
That is the crack in the bell.
know another lad who would not
stain his lips with filthy tobacco for love
or money. He says it is not manly, and
he is right. He woald not play cards, or
throw dice, or go into a saloon for any.
thing, because, he says, good men and
boys do not do such things; and have
no doubt you will all agree with him.
But the other day he wanted to go q fish.
Ing, and his poor, tired mother said she
wanted him to stay in the house that
afternoon and watch the baby. And
what mouth he did male! There he
sat and pouted and whined: II want to
20 a.6shin'." That is the crack in the
bell.
I am very much afraid that all the
little bells are more or less cracked at
times, and that the old Independence
bell is not 80 much of curiosity after
all. And I rather suspect if some of the
older folks would look around the rim of
their character they would find little
crack somewhere. But there is differ
| ence between the boy and the bell. The
bell can not repair itself, but the boy
can. He can make his character 80 pure
that every note will ring out clear and
sweet. Ask your teacher bow to fix up a
cracked character. r. Miller in
Young Christian.