The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1895-12-24
The Jangls Of fhe
Christmas Bells
They were a chime Of bells.

They were a chime OF bells.
They hung in the stceple OF an ancient
church in the heart OF big city, and as
che clock below them rung out eleven the
good folk who happened to be wake in the
houses packed closely around the ctiifice.
turned over in their beds. and niurnnred;
achristuaas Day in another hour.
1t was Christmas Eve.
The bells knew that il was Christmas
Eve They always do, because the spirit
OF Christmas, floating through the beifry.
on its way to the chancea, to take part In
the morning praise service, never fails
to whisper a greeting to the chimes in
passing.
1t could not have been the spirit that
caused that subducd vibration in the belfry,
and yet the sound WAS 70 slight that 1t
might almost have been The effect OF an
angels wing brushing against the eight
eellS that hung roiceless up there in the
night.
Listcni The vibration is Increasing, and
now there is a reverberation. as if a angry
taow had been struck upon the edge of the
biggest bell with the thuBderous bass
Surely a voice-an articulate voice!
The big bell moves slightly. 1t may be
the wind that is rushing through the grated
sides OF The belfry. bringing the fragrance
Of the ocean with it in a chill breath that
makes all the bells SILVER again. And yet
IL may not bc the wind. either.
Listcni
The reverberation becomes much stronger.
and now there is no doubt that the big bell
is speaking:
lis IL possible that you can keep up your
quarrel. even on Christmas Eve? You, my
children, upon whom 1 have always de-
pended for harmony? Do ouactually mean
that you will not Join in the carol AT sun
rise? Why, hang me"
The big bell stopped. Perhaps it was
struck with the absurdity of making such
an exclamation as Hang ne!' when 1t was
apparent TO the world that 1t was hung
already
There was a buzz among the rest OF the
bells such as you ma Y he ar in a schoolroom
when the teacher has uttered reproof
What is the trouble between you two?"
went on the big bell.
There was an instant's pause, and then
a cadence almost silvery set all the bells
fingiing. as The sma iii-st Of the group. that
hung near the outside grating where the
Christ mas moon could see il piIced Out:
Il know what I know"
'>Oh, you are too sharp" interrupted the
bell Eexf 10 him, in a somewhat deeper tone.
Il would rather be too sharp than too
flat as you are. Why you almost spoiled
our madrigal last Easter, and you have
never tsccn in decent voice since ! believe
you are cracked"
The mallest bell 81 id this with so much
aceri,ity that the big BeH broke in sterniy:
That is enough. If You 81 Y such thing
As that again III hit you with my clapper.
This continual iangliDE between you two
puts my entire system out of tone, while
as for yourselves You could not behave in
a more undignified way il you were cow
bells
1T isn't my fault" responded the small
bell. He is always putting me out when
we practice by believing out fortissimo
and drowning me altogether"
Il can not help it, replied the other.
aDgrily- -'Biarne the sexton. He pulls the
rope on me-"
You are not the first one to be ruined by
getting too much rope"
Children, Chi,drcn,' interposed the big
bell. Ring off on those silly jests. The
sexton is moi born that can spoil a Christ
mas carol by a chime of bells, no matter
how much rope he may use
The ocean fneexe swept a cloud in front
of the moon at this instant, and ena bied
1t 10 laugh at the pretty dispute without
being seen by the Inhabitants OF the earth
Which was fortunate thing. because 1t
saved a lot of iircstme scientific discus
sion among astronomers who are perpetu-
ally looking through telescopes at the moon,
and who would surely have seized upon
This phenomenon for an endless controversy.
When the cloud had passed, the moon
law that the two quarreiing bells were
swayiDg angrily, evidently trying 10 give
zach other a jar in Tire side, and it heard |
the big bell continue il s monition:
Let me hear your E. II 1t really is flat
we shall have 10 get you shaved" |
I'd like to have the job If shay wing him." 4
piped the small bell, pianissimo.
The wind from the ocean was so much |
in1 crested in the trial OF the E bells voice
that he came bouncing into the beifry |
with Il Eusiy haste that caused quite n |
commotion among the chimes. In the |
midst OF it the bell gave tongue to such |
a good strong Il" iI.at he Wont. a paicc- |
man in the street below.
There is nothing wrong with that E."
declared the big bell, and hope shall 4
hear no more OF this discoHlaDce, be /
cause"
The Spirit of Christmas fIew into the |
belfry at this moment. as the clock struck |
IL. and the moon peered further into the |
heart of the chimes. TO light the way.
christmas Day" said the policeman to |
himself, as he looked up at the tower.
why don't the sexton ring the chimes, |
wonder"
The two disputing bells were not quite