The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1894-06-01

"o"'h 'o-iiSut, CHI 90 III.
"All right, I'll do it" replied Ralph,
sturdy boy of fifteen. "All I'll have
to DIS v be to turn up the lights and
r!ng < bell twice, suppose.
MIR. Kline hal been the sexton and
heil'rlnger OF the old stone church for
twenty years, and Ralph Kline had
many time been with him when he
opened the churca for service, and
even hal helped him ring tho bell.
Therefore. though the church was n
quarter of mile from tho nearest
honss, it was with no hesitation that
he started out after supper. A bright
mool III up everything and made the
snow sparkle rs ii strewn with dia.
monds.
Arrived Mt the church he pulled the
big key from his pocket, unlocked and
opened the door aul walked in. The
nody OF the church, which was not
large, was dimly lit by dozen lamps,
which Ralph speedily turned up 80
that the building was cheerful in a
glow Of light. Then he walked to tho
vcsiry, and, opening a small door at
one side, glanced Mt the nickel clock
which was suspended on the wall.
Five minutes of seven!" he ex.
claimed 70 himself. "Tims 1 was
rinGiugI'
The bell Mt the church Was always
rung twice, with n period between of
ten minutes. Most of the congrega-
ton livcI Mt a distancc--from quar-
ter of mile 80 q mile or more away.
So a warming bell" rs it was called,
was rung at five minutes of seven. in
the evening, when services began at
hall 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 AMI took of his coat. BY lamp
light, the bell-ropc seemed like somo
GREAT snake stretching down from
above where the darkness hid every-
thing. But Ralph was too accustomed
to the Inferior 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
Goor.
The bell, which was big one, hung
in cradle, and the bell rope, passing
up into the bcifry, was fastened In tho
groove of larSe wheel which, when
turncd hy pull on the rope, rocked
the bell and threw the iron tongue
against its sides. The bell was ve1y
heavy, and it took n couple of vigor-
ous pulls, even when Mr. Kline him.
self had holl Of tue rope, to bring any
sound forth.
Twice Ralph pullci AMI hung upon
the rope before tne cradle began to
movo porcsptibiy. Even then ths
bell aid not RIM, an tho boy threw
all his strength aui weight into third
effort.
IS he did so, it seemed to him that
the rope clmc toward him much more
quickly than it should, and then, he
fore he could let go, it suddenly
loosencl up above and fell in great
spirnls to the floor. Fortunately none
of the heavy coils struck him; but it
gave him a big start, notwithstanding,
and he jumped quickly to one side.
There hc stood staring mp 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, b" picked
up lantern which stood in corner,
and, lighting it at the lamp, started
up the ladder which led to the tower
ui,uyc.
1t was long ladder ard 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
ii the ladder never would end. 1t
crew cod, too, for it was freezing
outside, nnd Keen wind blew through
The openings i'll 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
beltry.
For m instant lie rested. Then,
shlvering as cold blast Of wind
swept down upon him, he rose to his
feet and took up the lantern.
Immediately before him was tho
rope, dangling from the bell cradIe
above. Apparently, it was all
right 1t seemed to run properly
enough through the hole in the aoor.
ing on which he stood. He was about
10 go down the ladder again to dis
cover where the break had occurred
when II draft of air stirred the rope,
and, rs it moved. he saw that it did
no. go through the hole Mt all. 1t came
to an end Just where it reached the
floor.
Ralph placed the lantern beside him
nnl bent down to examine the rope.
IL seemed to havo been severed by
some Jagged edge, for il was torn and