Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-05-14

tnat maue UeT SldIl dui llO = Wv
Could she? Dare she. She must
try for dear Father aud Mother
and children.
Climbing on chair, she took
down the hammer that felt so
heavy, and thed pashiug the chair
close to the great bill, she climbed
into it again this time on her
knees 80 she wOaId be where she
could strike well. Her little eyes
went mp to the clock that still
marked one second of the time.
Olang-cla ng-cla-ng-cla Dg-
ella clang-cla.ng-cla'ng.
The hammer dropped to the
floor, and bu'ylug her face ID her
hands on the rm of The bell, Bar
bay caught her breath and gave a
terrified sob.
Had she counted right. 1t had
never sounded so before. 1t seem
ed as though the sound had deal
ened all the others and would
never stop. Did it SQUAD so to
those who we're listening? Did
everybody know it was not Father
dear FatherY How dreadful it all
was! Would they do anything to
Father-or to her-it 1t was all
wrongl
She looked up. How soundly
Father still slept Mr.. Harper
would soon come now and let him
90 home. He would not mind his
going TO sleep, for he had oeen
kind to hlm.
There were footsteps on the
stails. Mr.. Harper was coming.
No there were voices. In an in
stant Barbay was at her fathers
side aud, putting her arms around
his neck, kissed the white, tired
face and called him by every en-
dearing name she could think OF.
AS the door opened, she drew heI
arms more tightly round him, as
though she would protect him from
threatened harm.
'Hullol What's thlsY said the
Mayor, as be aud the Jailor entered
Don't, please don't let them dis
charge him. said BArbay, her 0ig
sad eyes looking anxiOnsly at the
two men. 'He couldn't help 1t, IN
deed he could not; for he's beer
the Town Clock all day and night
Oh, don't-please dOn't' she plea
ded, the tears beginning to rol
Gown her cheeks.
sThis is more serious than
thought said the Mayor, gent.
drawing the child away aud put
ting his ear down TO her father"
heart.
'How long has he been this way
he asked quickly.
r Il don't know. | went to slefl
all of a sudden and when | wake
= up was on the floor and Father
was asleep too
: Get a doctor here as quick a
possibIe.' said the Mayor TO th
ianitor. Gle Is stunned and may
p be 80 for hours; hat 1 think he
come ont OF it all right. confess
T. do rot know what 20 do myself
Now he said, turning to Ba'
bay, who was again leaning pr'
G tectingly over her father, tell ID
q who mads the clock strike JUS
i nowV
a With a terrified look Barba
| crept closer to her father as sh
o said:
'Oh, please | couldn't wake hin
S and l was afraid they would dis
e charge him.
y Well said the Mayor, 'wt
s. made the clock striker
A Il did, said Barbav, tremblIn
o all over.
Is YOU said the Mayor, lOOkir
4 her over carefullY-'you made Il
ll big town clock striker
IL 'Please, please, don't let the
. do anything to FatheIp said Bi
u bay. Il tried to hard to do it rlgh
She half sobbed ont the la
. words, as her head went down @
her fathers shoulder.
The Mayors eyes threatened
to gIye him trouble az he said kind
re- Come here little woman. /
tv not be afraid. No one shall {
4. anything to your father that Y
he do not like. Come and tell r
of how you made the big clock s'ril
m Encouraged by his words al
by the tone of his voice she Ioos'
ed her hold OF her father aud h
lg soon given an account Of how s
, d bad tried to be the Town Clock.
Odd / count all wroDgP she
he ked, wIstlully, 'Oh, it was
Nar