Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1894-06-08


laNsNI'Ni lig lit ed up t h e
1PMMM church and turned
~@ 'W the lamps low be-
fore l came home, but rs for going
back again tonight, l can't do it."
"All right, I'll do it, replied Ralph,
a sturdy boy of fifteen. "All I'll have
to do will be to turn up the lights and
ring the bell twice, I suppose"
Mr.. Kline had been the sexton and
bell-ringer of the old stone church for
twenty years, and Ralph Kline had
many time been with him when he
opened the church for service, and
even had helped him ring the bell.
Therefore, though the church was a
quarter of n 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 and 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 small door at
one side, glanced at the nickel clock
which was suspended on the wall.
Give minutes OF seven!" he ex-
claimed TO himself. "Time 1 was
ringing!"
The bell at the church was always
rung twice, with a period between of
ten minutes. Most of the congrega-
tion lived at distance-from a quar-
ter of mile to mile or more away.
So 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 o big one, hung
in cradle, and the bell rope, passing
up into the belfry, was fastened IN the
groove of n large wheel which, when
turned by pull on the rope, rocked
the bell and threw the iron tongue
against its sides. The bell was veIy
heavy, and it took 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
all his strength aud weight into third
effort.
Az he did SO, il seemed TO him that
the rope came toward him much more
quickly than il should. and then, be
fore he could let go, it suddenly
loosened up above and fell in great
spirals to the hoor. Fortunately none
OF the heavy coils struck him but il
gave him big start, Notwithstanding,
and he jumped quickly 10 one side
There he stood staring up into the
darkness, aud wondering what could
have happened Theu, realizing that
the only way 10 learn was b so np ia.
b. the belfry and investigate, ho picked
up lantern which stood ia a corner,
and, lighting u 90 the lamp, started
up the ladder Which led b the toRer
above.
IL was q long ladder ard elimbing il
Naa au eAsy iask. The lantcFu, a. ID
huug tfom his arm, banged agaiusi
Alm and easl Knitting aAi uncertain
hghts. ihe fuuss ui iAe iasiisr aers
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