The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-06-13

M q said Mr.. Kline as
A /. ! !. ! !. ! !. . !. ]: ! |: |. !" !. !. .
4 N he wearily dropped
L. m ~ into chair in the
o>Mt 2eZ< kit chen, "you'll
C&( NSgN have to ring the
SkA - bell tonight; I'm
Ml5AI sS- clean played out.
sIfkR!sVN The rheumatism s
>e{Nyfg5N got me again. l
lAR4thtA lig ht ed up t h o
MVWWN church and turned
=" INV the lamps low be-
fore came home, but rs for going
back again tonight, can't do it.
"All right. I'll do it, replied Ralph,
sturdy boy of fifteen. Gan I'll have
to do will be to turn up the lights and
ring the bell twice, L suppose"
Mr.. Kline had been the sexton and
bell.ringer of the old stone church for
twenty years, and Ralph Kline had
many a time been with him when he
opened the church for service, and
even had helped him ring the bell.
Therefore, though the church was q
quarter of mile from the nearest
house, it was with no hesitation that
he started out after supper. A bright
moon lit up everything and made the
snow sparkle as if strewn with dia-
monds.
Arrived at the church he pulled the
big key from his pocket, unlocked and
opened the door aud walked in. The
body of the church, which was not
large, was dimly lit by dozen lamps,
which Ralph speedily turned up so
that the building was cheerful in a
glow of light. Then he walked to the
vestry, and, opening a small door at
one side, glanced at the nickel clock
which was suspended on the wall.
Five minutes OF sevenl" he ex-
claimed TO himself. Cline / was
ringing"
The bell at the church was always
rung twice, with period between of
ten minutes. Most of the congrega-
tion lived at n distance-from n quar-
ter OF mile to mile or more away.
So a warning bell, as it was called.
was rung at five minutes of seven, in
the evening, when services began at
half past seven, and second bell at
ten minutes after seven. Thus every
one within hearing distance of the
church had ample time to make ready
if they wished to attend.
Ralph closed the door of the tower
room and took off his coat. BY lamp
light, the bell-rope seemed like some
great snake stretching down from
above where the darkness hid every
thing. But Ralph was too accustomed
to the interior of the place to think of
this. He reached up and took firm
grasp on the rope, threw his weight
upon it, and slowly sank toward the
floor.
The bell, which was big one, hung
in q cradle, and the bell rope, passing
up into the belfry, was fastened IN the
groove of large wheel which, when
turned by pull on the rope, rocked
the bell and threw the iron tongue
against its sides. The bell was very
heavy, and it took n couple of vigor-
Gus pulls, even when Mr.. Kline him
self had hold of the rope, to bring any
sound forth.
Twice Ralph pulled and hung upon
the rope before the cradle began to
move perceptibly. Even then the
bell did not ring, and the boy threw
oil his strength aud weight into third
effort.
AS he did so, it seemed to him that
the rope came toward him much more
quickly than it should, and then, be-
fore he could let go, it suddenly
loosened up above and fell in great
spirals to the floor. Fortunately none
of the heavy coils struck him; but it
gave him big start, Notwithstanding,
and he jumped quickly to one side.
There he stood staring up into the
darkness, and wondering what could
have happened. Then, realizing that
the only way to learn was to go up in
to the belfry and investigate, he picked
up lantern which stood in corner,
and, lighting it at the lamp, started
up the ladder which led to the tower
above.
1t was II long ladder and climbing it
was no easy task. The lantern, as it
hung from his arm, banged against
him and cast shifting and uncertain
lights. The rungs of the ladder were
covered with thick coating of dust.
Yet he toiled slowly on. 1t seemed as
if the ladder never would end. 1t
grew cold, too, for it was freezing
outside, and keen wind blew through
the openings in the belfry above.
Presently, however, Ralph struck
his head against something, and he
knew he had reached the end of his
journey, Holding on with one hand,
with the other he unfaStened the hook
which held down the trap door. Push
ing this back he drew himself up
through the opening, and was in the
belfry.
For an instant he rested. Then,
shiyering as a cold blast of wind
swept down upon him, he rose to his
feet and took up the lantern.
Immediately before him was the
Sepe, dangling fgem the bell cradle